Nursing care of urinary incontinence in the elderly

<p>Urinary incontinence is the most common disease among the elderly. The incidence of women is higher than that of men. Although it has no direct impact on the lives of most elderly people, it can cause body odor, skin erosions, and repeated urinary tract infections, which can lead to isolation and One of the causes of depression.</p><p><br></p><p>Nursing measures:</p><p>1. Incontinence bed pad: If you use <a href="https://www.wxhej.com/incontinence-bed-pad" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">incontinence bed pad</a>, it is the most common and safe way to give the elderly a safe and comfortable sleeping environment.</p><p><br></p><p>2. Psychological support: Elderly people often suffer from low self-esteem due to long-term urinary incontinence. Nursing staff should fully understand, respect the elderly and protect their privacy. At the same time, communicate with family members to obtain family support and help.</p><p><br></p><p>3. Behavior therapy: including bladder behavior therapy and prompting urination.</p><p>1) Behavioural therapy: suitable for elderly people with urge incontinence and good cognitive function. The interval of urination can be adjusted according to the records. If urinary incontinence occurs after holding back urine for more than 3 minutes, urinating once every 2 hours. Urgency during this period can be controlled by contracting the anus and crossing the legs, and then gradually extend the interval.</p><p>2) Prompt urination method: Elderly people with cognitive impairment can formulate urination plan based on their urination records and remind them regularly to help develop regular urination habits and improve their toilet conditions.</p><p><br></p><p>4. Keep the skin clean and hygienic: long-term soaking of the skin with urine can soften the skin stratum corneum and lose its normal defense function. The irritation of ammonia in urine on the skin can easily cause skin rashes. Pressure sores may even occur. Therefore, keep the skin clean and dry, wash it in time, change clothes, changing pads, and bed sheets frequently, and apply appropriate amount of ointment to protect the skin.</p><p><br></p><p>5. Actively remove predisposing factors: the elderly who are too obese should lose weight through diet control and increased activity. People with chronic respiratory tract infections should actively control the infection, take antibiotics on time, and do not stop the medication by themselves after the urinary tract infection improves or disappears.</p><p><br></p><p>Health Guidance:</p><p>1) Pelvic floor muscle exercises: Lie on your back on the bed, gently insert a finger into your vagina, relax your body as much as possible at this time, and then actively contract your muscles to clamp your fingers. Inhale when the muscles are contracted, and you can feel the wrapping power of the pelvic floor muscles on your fingers; when you relax the pelvic floor muscles, exhale and repeat it several times.</p><p><br></p><p>2) Adjust the time, variety, and amount of drinking water: Explain to the elderly the necessity of drinking water to stimulate the urination reflex, and keep the daily intake of fluids at about 2000-2500 ml, including three meals, fruits and drinks. Limit drinking water before going to bed to reduce the amount of urine at night and avoid drinking coffee, strong tea, cola, alcohol and other beverages with diuretic effect.</p><p><br></p><p>3) Provide a good toilet environment: instruct family members to provide a good toilet environment for the elderly. The bedroom of the elderly should be arranged as close to the toilet as possible. There are proper lights at night.</p><p><br></p>