Is Incontinence a Symptom of Dementia?

Incontinence, or the inability to control bladder and bowel functions, is a common symptom of dementia, affecting over half of those living with the condition. Memory loss inhibits recalling bathroom locations or the ability to recognise urgency cues, while mobility limitations create barriers.  

While incontinence becomes common in mid to late-stage dementia, you can help manage symptoms and preserve your loved one’s dignity by implementing proactive plans and thoughtful environmental adaptations.  

At KYN, our dementia care team have extensive experience with all symptoms and stages of dementia, from the initial diagnosis through to late-stage dementia.

How Dementia Impacts Continence

In early dementia, when short-term memory and reasoning start deteriorating but mobility is intact, occasional accidents may arise from:  

• Forgetting to go to the bathroom regularly
• Struggling to find the bathroom in an unfamiliar location
• Misinterpreting or delaying responding to bladder or bowel urgency signals
• Finding it more difficult to remove clothing items quickly

  As dementia advances, damage to the brain's frontal lobe especially impairs judgement and impulse control, increasing the frequency of incontinence. Severe short-term memory loss eliminates bathroom awareness, while mobility impairment may result in requiring support to get to the bathroom and use the toilet.  

Additionally, people living with dementia often cannot communicate their needs well verbally. Embarrassment may inhibit them from indicating soiled undergarments. This is where caregiver attentiveness and routine bathroom assistance become essential.

Strategies To Manage Incontinence

There are several approaches you can try to help cope with symptoms:

Scheduled Regular Trips to The Toilet

Establish a fixed schedule such as every 2-3 hours for prompted bathroom visits whether your loved one has expressed the urge or not. This prevents waiting for an urgent request.

Signage and Wayfinding

Use clear signs, colour contrasts and photos to indicate clear paths to bathrooms. You can also support your loved one while they walk to the bathroom if you’re able.

Limited Fluids Before Bed

Reduce the fluid your loved one drinks before sleep to minimise overnight accidents. Two hours before bed is a good benchmark. Just make sure to encourage adequate daytime hydration.

Absorbent Products

Use pads, briefs and moisture-wicking bedding to support your loved one’s independence and dignity when accidents do occur.

Calm Reassurance During Accidents

If an accident happens, gently guide the clean-up process while reassuring your loved one. Preventing any shameful feelings supports their mental health.

Nightlights and Transfer Aids

Install nightlights, clear transfer paths, and hand rails to ease bathroom access at night.

Monitor Diet and Medications

Consult doctors about adjusting your loved one’s medications that increase urination and treating constipation issues that exacerbate incontinence.   By being sensitive from the start and applying these methods early, you can support your loved one’s dignity while coping with what can otherwise be a demoralising symptom.

Adapting Clothing for Incontinence Issues

Choosing clothing that makes bathroom use more accessible and accident-friendly minimises turmoil and cleanup when incontinence arises. Helpful garment adaptations include:  

• Elastic waistbands to simplify pulling clothing on and off
• Avoiding belts, buttons and zippers that impair speed
• Choosing breathable natural fibres over rough, irritating material
• Selecting darker colours and patterns to conceal leakage
• Layering absorbent underwear or pads discreetly underneath
• Having duplicates of favourite outfits for quick changes

  Garments with easy access support independence in early-stage dementia, while stretchy fabrics with protective layers preserve dignity into later stages when a caregiver needs to help your loved one dress.

When Home Care Becomes Difficult

Despite devoted family caregiving and environmental adaptations, a point may come when consistent incontinence care at home is no longer feasible or dignified. When mobility loss, or severe cognitive decline create safety risks and high care needs exceed what can reasonably be managed at home, we recommend residential dementia care.  

Specialised dementia communities have care teams, routines and facilities designed for extensive assistance. The reassurance of compassionate around-the-clock oversight when incontinence issues persist brings comfort.

KYN Specialist Dementia Care Homes

At KYN’s care homes in London, we know addressing incontinence requires sensitivity and discretion. Our person-centred care philosophy ensures dignity is maintained while symptoms are managed through schedules, physiotherapy, diet adjustments and more. Memory care training equips our staff to reassure those when accidents occur.  

To learn more about KYN's dementia care services, contact us at +44 (0) 20 3535 1923 or email enquiries@kyn.co.uk. Discover how we craft care lifestyles tailored to each person’s changing abilities across every stage of their dementia journey.