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Elderly bed wetting solutions
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.
Why might an older person experience incontinence in bed?
Incontinence is a loss of bladder control that affects around 1 in 5 people in the UK. It tends to be more common in older adults due to naturally weakened bladder and pelvic floor muscles. There are different types of incontinence, but the two that affect older adults at night are nocturia (an urge to get up to urinate multiple times per night) and enuresis (an emptying of the bladder during sleep).
Enuresis affects around 1-2% of adults, and is usually caused by:
- Kidney or bladder conditions
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Conditions like diabetes
- Constipation
- Certain medications
- Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Lifestyle factors like being overweight, smoking or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol
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
How can caregivers manage the emotional side of bed wetting with dignity?
Incontinence issues can hugely impact an older person’s self-esteem, dignity, and general quality of life. Caregivers must be aware of this when managing these issues, and prioritise discretion and mental health by offering privacy, allowing them to manage bed wetting independently where possible, maintaining good hygiene practices, using odour-control disposal bags or bins, and providing emotional support to avoid embarrassment, or mental health issues like anxiety or depression from forming.
Caregivers should keep in mind that many older people feel embarrassed by bed wetting, so it is important to watch for signs–both physical and emotional–and create an understanding environment where they feel safe and comfortable discussing it.
How can we help?
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Get in touch 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.
Guides and support
FAQs
- What causes bed wetting in the elderly?
Bed wetting, or nocturnal enuresis, in the elderly can be caused by a variety of factors, including weakened bladder muscles, urinary tract infections, prostate issues, diabetes, or neurological conditions such as dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
- What are some effective solutions for elderly bed wetting?
Solutions include using absorbent pads or incontinence products, creating a regular toileting schedule, limiting fluid intake before bedtime, and ensuring easy access to the bathroom. Medical treatments or pelvic floor exercises may also help, depending on the underlying cause.
- Can bed wetting in the elderly be treated?
Yes, but treatment depends on the cause. A healthcare professional may recommend lifestyle changes, medications, or therapies such as bladder training. In some cases, addressing underlying conditions like infections or diabetes can resolve the issue.
- When should I seek medical advice for elderly bed wetting?
Seek medical advice if bed wetting is sudden, frequent, or accompanied by symptoms such as pain, blood in the urine, or changes in behaviour. A doctor can assess the cause and recommend appropriate treatments or interventions.
- How can home care support elderly individuals with bed wetting?
Our trained and experienced Care Professionals can provide discreet and compassionate assistance by helping with toileting routines, managing incontinence products, and ensuring the elderly person’s bedding and clothing are clean and dry. They can also monitor for signs of infections or other health concerns.