Caregivers’ FAQ

Have some basic questions about male incontinence or Depend® incontinence products for men? Here are answers to some of the most common questions we’ve received from caregivers like you.

1. What is urinary incontinence – causes, types, facts?
2. What types of disposable absorbent solutions can help manage incontinence?
3. What are some healthy lifestyles to help manage incontinence?
4. Where can I get more information about caring for others?

1. What is urinary incontinence – causes, types, facts?

   • Q

     What is urinary incontinence?

     A

     Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. This means that you can't always control when you need to urinate. Urinary incontinence can range from leaking a small amount of urine (such as when coughing or laughing) to having very strong, difficult to control urges to urinate.

   • Q

     How common is urinary incontinence?

     A

     Millions of adults in the United States have urinary incontinence. If you or a loved one is affected by urinary incontinence, you should know that you are not alone. Approximately 25 million people nationwide are affected. (www.NAFC.org)

     It's most common in people over 50 years old. But it can also affect younger people, especially women who have given birth. Both men and women can have urinary incontinence.

     Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have this problem. If you hide your incontinence, you risk getting rashes, sores, skin infections and urinary tract infections. Also, you may find yourself avoiding friends and family because of fear and embarrassment.

   • Q

     What causes urinary incontinence?

     A

     There are many causes of urinary incontinence. Some include weak bladder muscles, an enlarged prostate, stroke, complications from surgery, radiation treatment, or chronic diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's disease. Other diseases that affect the bladder nerves or spinal cord could also cause urinary incontinence.

   • Q

     How does your bladder work?

     A

     The body stores urine in the bladder. During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into the urethra – a tube below the bladder. At the same time, the muscles around the urethra relax and let the urine pass. Incontinence occurs if the urine leaves the bladder and urethra without warming.

   • Q

     What are the different kinds of incontinence with the symptoms and potential causes?

     A

     Stress Incontinence

     • Loss of urine when you place pressure or ‘stress’ on your bladder
     • Leakage when you sneeze, cough, laugh, exercise, or lift heavy items
     • Causes may include: physical changes from childbirth, pregnancy, menopause, being overweight

     Urge Incontinence

     • Sudden, intense urge to urinate – often followed by involuntary loss of urine
     • Sudden or frequent emptying of bladder; getting up two or more times per night to urinate
     • Causes may include: bladder or urinary tract infections, bladder irritants, stroke, neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis

     Overflow Incontinence

     • Frequent or constant dribble of urine
     • Feeling your bladder is never empty; sometimes only a weak stream of urine
     • Causes may include: damaged bladder, blocked urethra, diabetes

     Functional Incontinence

     • Inability to reach bathroom in time
     • Physical or psychological impairment where you cannot reach the bathroom in time
     • Causes may include: mobility limitations, pain with movement, medications, arthritis

     Download a PDF with more symptoms and causes

   • Q

     What can I ask my loved one’s health care provider if I think he/she has urinary incontinence?

     A

     To diagnose urinary incontinence, your health care provider will ask about symptoms, medical history, and do a physical exam. You will also be asked about his/her bladder habits: How often the bladder is empties, how and when urine leaks or when accidents occur. Keeping a toileting journal with date, time, location, foods & beverages eaten, and other notes for approximately a week prior to the appointment would aid the conversation with your loved one’s health care provider.

     If you think your loved one may have urinary incontinence, tell your doctor. Remember, under a doctor’s care, incontinence can be treated and possibly cured. Even if treatment is not completely successful, careful management can help you feel more relaxed and confident.
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2. What is the right disposable absorbent solution for my loved one?

   • Q

     What Depend^® product should I use to manage incontinence?

     A

     Depend^® Brand offers many styles and products designed to fit your loved one’s needs and lifestyle. We have a comprehensive range of size and absorbency levels. Use our product finder to find the most appropriate products for your needs.
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3. How do I live a healthy lifestyle to help manage incontinence?

   • Q

     What exercises can I do to help manage my urinary incontinence?

     A

     One of the best ways to try to prevent or reduce the number of leakage episodes is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. This tends to be more effective if you have the stress type of bladder issue. For other types of bladder control problems various other methods of treatment are available. Please talk to your doctor about the possibilities for treating your bladder control problem. The treatments your doctor recommends, used in conjunction with Depend^® brand absorbent solutions, will help ensure you can regain confidence.

   • Q

     How do I do Kegel exercises (pelvic floor muscle exercises)? And do they help?

     A

     Kegel exercises help tighten pelvic floor muscles. Locate the pelvic muscles by pretending to stop the flow of urine. Squeeze and hold these muscles for three seconds, then relax for a count of three. The goal is to try to do 10 tightening/relaxing exercises for a set. Rest and then do two more sets (30 exercises total) each day. Your loved one’s doctor can give you more exact directions.

     Kegel exercises work the muscles that are used to stop urinating. Making these muscles stronger helps hold urine in the bladder longer.

     Exercises often help, particularly for persons with the stress type of bladder problem. Please consult with the doctor about the type of bladder weakness you have, and which exercises are best for your loved one.

   • Q

     How long before exercises begin to help?

     A

     Depending on the type of bladder weakness your loved one has, he/she may begin to feel the benefit of exercises after just a few weeks, and after 8 to 12 months there is a good chance symptoms will be reduced. Even if your loved one is not symptom-free exercises may improve his/her situation and, with the right products to help, your loved one can regain his/her confidence. Most people wait so long that it takes the body some time to get back to earlier routines. Please consult your doctor for your loved one’s particular situation.

   • Q

     If I drink less fluid, will things improve?

     A

     Drinking less fluid will make urine more concentrated and in turn may irritate the bladder, causing your loved one to urinate more often. Target to drink 6 - 8 glasses a day. However, it is not recommended that you drink excessive amounts either as this could lead to distension of the bladder. Please consult your doctor for more information regarding your loved one’s particular situation.

   • Q

     What foods and beverages are known to increase urinary incontinence?

     A

     Certain foods and drinks may cause or aggravate incontinence, such as caffeine (in coffee, soda, chocolate), tea, and alcohol. Restricting these foods and liquids in your loved one’s diet may reduce incontinence. Please consult his/her doctor before changing or altering your diet.

     Common Bladder Irritants:

     • Alcoholic beverages
     • Carbonated beverages (with or without caffeine)
     • Milk or milk products
     • Coffee or Tea (even decaffeinated)
     • Citrus juice & fruits
     • Tomatoes or tomato-based products
     • Highly spiced foods
     • Sugar, Corn Syrup or Honey
     • Chocolate
     • Artificial sweeteners

   • Q

     Will weight loss and exercise improve my condition?

     A

     Accidental loss of urine can be caused by extra weight. If your loved one is overweight - diet, and exercise may help him/her lose weight and may improve urinary incontinence. Please speak to his/her health care provider prior to any exercise or weight loss program.

   • Q

     How do I control odors?

     A

     The best way to control odors is a combination of good hygiene, overall body cleanliness, and using fresh, clean undergarments. Always dispose of products in an airtight container. When traveling or sharing a house with others, dispose of each incontinence garment in a plastic bag with a zip-style seal. Sometimes people are not aware that an odor is present. If you are incontinent, find someone you trust to tell you honestly if there is any odor anywhere.
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4. Where can I get more information about caring for others?

   • Q

     How do I find out about caregiving services in my community?

     A

     Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to learn about caregiving services where you live. AAAs are usually listed in the city or county government sections of the telephone directory under “Aging” or “Health and Human Services.” The National Eldercare Locator, a service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, can also help you find your local AAA.

     You might also want to consult with an eldercare specialist, a professional who specializes in aging-related issues. An eldercare specialist assists older adults and their family members by assessing their needs and identifying the best services and devices available to meet those needs. To find an eldercare specialist in your area, ask your doctor or local AAA.

   • Q

     What caregiving services can I find in my community?

     A

     Caregiving services may include:

     • Transportation
     • Meal delivery
     • Home health care services (such as nursing or physical therapy)
     • Non-medical home care services (such as housekeeping, cooking, or companionship)
     • Home modification (changes to the home that make it easier for your loved one to perform basic daily tasks, such as bathing, using the toi¬let, and moving around)
     • Legal and financial counseling

   • Q

     My loved one doesn't want to wear incontinence products. They think of them as something young children wear. How can I get he/she to change her mind?

     A

     Simply tell them the truth. Tell them that the absorbent underwear is back up just in case they don't make it to the bathroom on time. It will make both of your lives less stressful, because for as much as you want them to be able to use the bathroom correctly, they do too. Don't give them a choice by asking them whether or not they would like to wear them, incorporate it in their routine. Please talk to your loved ones health care provider to learn more about the causes and care for your loved one’s incontinence.

   • Q

     What are the signs that my loved one should start wearing incontinence products?

     A

     Typically a loved one should begin wearing incontinence products when you notice that they are unable to reach the toilet in time, they cannot remember where the bathroom is located, what to do when they get to the bathroom, or if they confuse objects for the toilet, like a waste basket. If multiple accidents keep occurring from any of these reasons, it may be time to use incontinence Products such as absorbent underwear. Please talk to your loved ones health care provider to learn more about the causes and care for your loved one’s incontinence.
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