The term “continence” refers to a state in which an individual has control over his or her bladder and bowel. When they lose the ability to do so, they are “incontinent”. Incontinence is a condition that usually affects older people, and could be one of the earliest symptoms of serious disease. The involuntary loss of control of one’s bladder or bowel can severely impact one’s quality of life and cause much embarrassment to the individual. It will negatively impact their relationships, sexuality, and mental health.
Nevertheless, most of the time, incontinence can be treated and rectified. At Aston Gardens At The Courtyards, our on-site, 24-hour medical team is staffed with dedicated healthcare professionals who will come up with a perfect continence management plan to help your loved one live a dignified and happy life. Read on to find out more about how we go about doing so.
About Our Continence Management Services
At Aston Gardens At The Courtyards, our medication management consists of two aspects: monitoring the diet of our residents, as well as ensuring that they receive regular exercise.
- Monitoring One’s Diet
A nutritious diet is especially important in continence management. For instance, too much alcohol and caffeine consumption can stimulate urine production. Individuals suffering from incontinence should avoid consuming excessive coffee or tea as doing will only exacerbate their symptoms. If that is not possible, restrict yourself to just one drink per day.
Another bodily condition that can cause urinary incontinence is constipation. When hard fecal matter is stuck in your rectum, its inflated size presses against the bladder, which can cause possible leakage. Therefore, a continence management plan must prioritize the avoidance of constipation. This can be done by consuming five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits daily. Other foods which can improve bowel health include whole grains, lean meat, and fish. Proper hydration is also necessary.
- Regular Exercise
When one gets older, it is only natural that the body slows down and one will not be as active as previously. This often leads to a senior choosing to live a sedentary lifestyle. This, however, is very bad for your bowel health. Research has shown that regular exercise helps an elderly person maintain their mobility and strength, traits which are essential to an elderly’s ability to access the toilet independently.
For the elderly, it might be daunting to hear the phrase “regular exercise”. They might have the misconception that it entails running a marathon or going for a lengthy swim in the sea. That cannot be further from the truth. Healthcare professionals generally recommend that a mere fifteen to twenty minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day counts as “regular exercise”. This means that a slow-paced, leisurely stroll after a meal each day should suffice for the elderly to maintain their fitness levels.
Benefits of Having Continence Management Services in Your Senior Living Community
At Aston Gardens At The Courtyards, we take continence management extremely seriously. Our Sensations Dining program is designed with the health and well-being of our residents in mind. Not only do they have access to scrumptious, yet nutritious food, but our chefs also use only the freshest and finest ingredients and there are a variety of cuisines for them to choose from. Taking care of one’s bowel health does not necessarily mean forsaking good food! Also, we offer a variety of exercise classes under our Dimensions Health & Wellness program, which ensures that each resident will be able to find an exercise which they love and can commit to for the long haul.
When Should You Consider Moving into a Senior Living Community?
You should consider moving into a senior living community when your incontinence is having a severe impact on your quality of life, as well as that of your family caregiver. Here, you will be free to live your best life and engage in the activities you love doing without worrying about your health, safety, and security.
Why Choose Aston Gardens At The Courtyards?
At Aston Gardens At The Courtyards, not only do we have an on-site, 24-hour medical and nursing team to manage your incontinence, we also boast world-class amenities and facilities, ensuring that all our residents, no matter their medical conditions, have the highest quality of life possible.
To learn more about living in Aston Gardens At The Courtyards, contact us or call us at 813.710.4380 today.
