Nocturnal incontinence in older adults

Compassionate, friendly elderly care services from experienced Care Professionals can provide person-centred support for older people struggling with bed wetting issues.

Bed wetting, or nocturnal incontinence, can be a distressing issue for older adults and their families. Fortunately, there are a range of practical solutions, from lifestyle adjustments to specialised products, that can help manage the condition.

How can older people manage the practical side of bed wetting?

An estimated one third of adults who wake for the bathroom are thought to do this at least twice per night. This can negatively impact their health and safety by causing daytime sleepiness and increasing fall risk, which is thought to be higher in those with nocturia.

If you or a loved one is struggling with bed wetting, continence care can help with:

• Making lifestyle changes and creating routines
• Maintaining a regular bathroom schedule to prevent accidents
• Changing incontinence products such as absorbent underwear
• Treating underlying conditions
• Encouraging regular pelvic floor exercises or bladder training (if relevant)
• Managing skincare
• Managing devices like catheters if needed

You can learn more in our article: Incontinence Care For Older Adults

What are the best solutions for elderly bed wetting? 

There are a number of resources that might make elderly bed wetting easier to manage without sleep disruptions. For example: 

• Waterproof sheets to protect the mattress and make clean-up more efficient – having several sheets means you can change them and deal with clean-up in the morning
• Incontinence pants or pads to absorb urine – you can learn more in our guide to the best incontinence pants for the elderly
• Bedside commodes or urinals for those who need to visit the bathroom multiple times per night
• Scheduled toilet trips to create a routine and avoid bed wetting
• Night lights (and removing clutter from hallways) to make it safer to visit the bathroom overnight
• GP appointments for medical advice to check for any potential underlying causes

How can home care help, and why Home Instead?

Having home care can help to support older people through distressing bed wetting issues. You can arrange a Care Needs Assessment with your local council to determine what kind of care is best, or if you decide to pursue private care options like Home Instead, you can learn how to choose and arrange home care from our helpful team.

We are proudly rated 9.6 on Homecare.co.uk, and many of our locations are rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), so whether you prefer daytime visiting care for morning clean-ups and to set up for the night ahead, or overnight care to help with reaching the bathroom at night, we can ensure you or your loved one has the support to stay comfortable, confident and rested despite bed wetting issues.