5. Managing continence at night
Carers are not always aware that people living with dementia may be continent during the day but become more disorientated at night, which may result in incontinent episodes or them requiring more assistance (see night-time and sleep). Suggest to them that they plug low-level night lights into wall sockets to help a person to find their route to the bathroom if they wake up during the night (see helping someone to use the toilet). This can also help to prevent someone from falling.
Section 6 of the information for family and friends provides advice on the use of protective coverings that will prevent bedding from becoming wet or soiled. These can be washed or wiped clean. The family and friends section of this website also has information on protective products including:
- Mattress covers - www.continenceproductadvisor.org/bedchairprotectors
- Waterproof duvets
- Pillow protectors
“I usually just start by saying do you have any problems with your bowels or bladder? Sometimes people use different language to say waterworks, pee, poo, faeces, whatever. … They (people living with dementia) are often quite embarrassed in the beginning but if you give them time to talk about it I find that they are very, they are often very glad to talk about it, particularly the men”
Advanced Nurse Practitioner