Providing toileting assistance for seniors with memory loss requires patience and compassion. This article highlights safety tips and strategies to make toileting a safer and more dignified experience.
For seniors with memory loss, toileting may not only be a physical challenge but also an emotional one. They may feel frustrated or embarrassed by their inability to remember when or how to go to the bathroom. Caregivers can help ease this burden by maintaining a gentle and understanding approach. Using a toileting routine, such as prompting the individual every few hours, can help minimize accidents. Additionally, caregivers can install safety features like grab bars in the bathroom to help prevent falls. To help maintain dignity, caregivers should offer assistance discreetly, ensuring the person has as much privacy as possible. For seniors with significant memory loss who may need more frequent assistance, caregivers should use waterproof bedding and incontinence products to ensure comfort and avoid any feelings of shame or discomfort. Offering praise for any level of independence also helps maintain the person’s self-esteem during this sensitive task.