MedicineNet

home > alzheimer's center > alzheimer's a-z list > alzheimer's disease patient caregiver guide index > alzheimer's disease patient caregiver guide article

Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide (cont.)

Incontinence in a Person with Alzheimer's Disease

As the disease progresses, many people with Alzheimer's begin to experience incontinence, or the inability to control their bladder and/or bowels. Incontinence can be upsetting to the person and difficult for the caregiver. Sometimes incontinence is due to physical illness, so be sure to discuss it with the person's doctor.

  • Have a routine for taking the person to the bathroom and stick to it as closely as possible. For example, take the person to the bathroom every 3 hours or so during the day. Don't wait for the person to ask.

  • Watch for signs that the person may have to go to the bathroom, such as restlessness or pulling at clothes. Respond quickly.

  • Be understanding when accidents occur. Stay calm and reassure the person if he or she is upset. Try to keep track of when accidents happen to help plan ways to avoid them.

  • To help prevent nighttime accidents, limit certain types of fluids—such as those with caffeine—in the evening.

  • If you are going to be out with the person, plan ahead. Know where restrooms are located, and have the person wear simple, easy-to-remove clothing. Take an extra set of clothing along in case of an accident.

Sleep Problems for Caregivers and a Person with Alzheimer's Disease

Comment on this

For the exhausted caregiver, sleep can't come too soon. For many people with Alzheimer's disease, however, the approach of nighttime may be a difficult time. Many people with Alzheimer's become restless, agitated, and irritable around dinnertime, often referred to as "sundowning" syndrome. Getting the person to go to bed and stay there may require some advance planning.

  • Encourage exercise during the day and limit daytime napping, but make sure that the person gets adequate rest during the day because fatigue can increase the likelihood of late afternoon restlessness.

  • Try to schedule physically demanding activities earlier in the day. For example, bathing could be done in the morning, or the largest family meal could be served at midday.

  • Set a quiet, peaceful tone in the evening to encourage sleep. Keep the lights dim, eliminate loud noises, even play soothing music if the person seems to enjoy it.

  • Try to keep bedtime at a similar time each evening. Developing a bedtime routine may help.

  • Limit caffeine.

  • Use night-lights in the bedroom, hall, and bathroom if the darkness is frightening or disorienting.

Patient Comments

Viewers share their comments

Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver - Experience Question: Please describe your experience with an Alzheimer's disease patient.
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide - Diagnosis Question: Has a friend or relative been diagnosed with Alzheimer's? Please share your story.
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide - Communicating Question: Please share tips for communicating with a relative or friend who has Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide - Eating Question: Getting an Alzheimer's patient to eat can be difficult. Please share tips for meal ideas and routines.
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide - Activities Question: In what ways do you help your friend or loved one with Alzheimer's stay active and engaged?
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide - Sleeping Question: Do you deal with a restless Alzheimer's patient? How do you make sure he/she gets sleep at night?
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide - Wandering Question: Alzheimer's patients tend to wander. What steps have you taken to ensure his/her safety?
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide - Nursing Homes Question: At some point an Alzheimer's patient will need assisted or residential care. How did you select one?
Print
MedicineNet Doctors

Suggested Reading on Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide by Our Doctors

  • Related Diseases & Conditions

    19 articles
    • Dementia
      • Dementia is a significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory capacity, severe enough to interfere with social or occupational functioning. There
    • Dehydration
      • Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and
    • Anxiety
      • Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately
    • Stress
      • Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There
    • Depression
      • Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and
    • Dysphagia
      • Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing, swallowing problems. Dysphagia is due to problems in nerve or muscle control. It is common, for example, after a
    • Alzheimer's Disease
      • Alzheimer's disease is a common cause of dementia. Symptoms and warning signs of Alzheimer's disease include memory loss, difficulty performing familiar
    • Sleep
      • A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual
    • Stress Management Techniques
      • Stress may be considered as any physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental unrest and that may be a factor in disease causation.
    • Brain Lesions (Lesions on the Brain)
      • Brain lesions (lesions on the brain) are caused by trauma, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancers, other diseases, stroke, bleeding, pituitary adenomas,
    • Hypothermia
      • Hypothermia is having a body core temperature of less than 35 C or 95 F. Most causes of hypothermia are preventable. Risk factors for hypothermia include
    • Insomnia Treatment (Sleep Aids and Stimulants)
      • Insomnia is difficulty in falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. The
    • Mental Health
      • Mental health is an optimal way of thinking, relating to others, and feeling. All of the diagnosable mental disorders fall under the umbrella of mental
    • Urinary Incontinence in Women
      • Millions of women suffer from urinary incontinence (UI). UI occurs twice as often in women as in men. There are many types of urinary incontinence: stress
    • Fitness
      • Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs
    • Bowel Incontinence
      • Bowel or fecal incontinence refers to the loss of voluntary control of stool, or bowel movements. The condition can include partial incontinence, in which
    • Depression in the Elderly
      • Depression in the elderly is very common. That doesn't mean, though, it's normal. Treatment may involve antidepressants, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive
    • Caregiving
      • Most often, caregivers take care of other adults who are ill or disabled. Less often, caregivers are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The majority
    • Alzheimer's Disease: Financial Planning
      • Alzheimer's disease can be not only mentally devastating to an indivdiual and family, it can also be emotionally devastating. Preparing financially for

  • Medications

    1 articles

  • Procedures & Tests

    0 articles

  • Pictures, Images & Quizzes

    4 articles

  • Doctor's & Expert's Views

    2 articles

  • Health News

    13 articles

  • Health Features

    0 articles

Stay Informed!

Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox FREE!


Symptom Checker: Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain

From WebMD

Healthy Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox FREE!