Dementia: Bladder and Bowel Problems Loss of bladder and bowel
control (incontinence) can sometimes result from Reference
Alzheimer's disease Opens New Window and other Reference
dementias Opens New Window. Several strategies may help you deal
with this problem: - Encourage the person to use the bathroom on
a regular schedule, such as every 2 hours. - Restrict liquids a
few hours before bedtime. - If the person has trouble
remembering where the bathroom is, show him or her the way and
mark the bathroom and toilet clearly with signs ("Bathroom,"
"Toilet"). Use pictures when the person can no longer understand
words. - Remove or cover objects the person may mistake for the
toilet. - Consider using absorbent pads or briefs such as
Attends or Depends. To avoid sores, make sure the skin under
these undergarments stays clean and dry. - Remember that a
person with dementia cannot control this problem. In some cases,
he or she may be aware of the problem and feel embarrassed or
ashamed about it. If incontinence has j