Dementia affects the person’s ability to explain their needs, for example needing to go to the bathroom. Additionally, dementia can affect a person’s judgement of what is normal or not in public.

You could help prevent these accidents (incontinence) by maintaining a regular, daily schedule to assist the person you care for to go to the toilet. Identifying how often they used the toilet before they had dementia might be helpful. You can also identify whether the person you care for needs to go to the bathroom by the way they behave, e.g. if they become agitated, stressed, anxious or restless.

Let’s look at an example

Joshua is taking care of his mother Esther, who received a diagnosis of dementia 5 years ago. Joshua usually takes his mother shopping in the neighbourhood as she enjoys meeting people.

Recently, Joshua notices that his mother has lost bladder control during the day.