Incontinence is a sensitive yet incredibly common issue within elderly care, with research estimating that more than 50% of care home residents deal with either urinary or bowel incontinence, or both. It has a significant impact on quality of life and self-esteem, and for care home teams, establishing effective, respectful, and consistent continence care is not only a matter of comfort and dignity but also of clinical best practice.

While incontinence is often associated with ageing, it does not have to be accepted as a wholly inevitable part of growing older. With the right approach, support, and products, it’s possible to significantly improve outcomes for residents and ease the pressure on your care staff. Here, we explore practical tips and best practices for managing incontinence in residential care settings.

Incontinence management begins with understanding each individual’s needs. Encourage your team to carry out regular, comprehensive assessments that consider not just the type and frequency of incontinence, but also any underlying medical conditions, medications, mobility levels, cognitive ability, and personal preferences.

A personalised care plan should be created for each resident experiencing incontinence. This plan should be regularly reviewed and updated in collaboration with healthcare professionals and the resident themselves. 

Well-informed staff are key to effective incontinence management. Ensure all carers are trained in:

• The different types of incontinence (e.g., stress, urge, overflow, functional)
• Best-practice toileting techniques, including prompted and scheduled toileting
• Skincare and infection prevention
• The use and correct fitting of continence products

Guide to using pads

Refresher training should be built into your schedule to keep knowledge up to date and ensure consistent standards across shifts.

Having the right incontinence products on hand can make a huge difference to residents’ comfort, dignity, and hygiene. Make sure to have good supplies of the following:

• Absorbent pads and pants in a variety of sizes and absorbencies
• Bed and chair protection
• Male and female-specific products
• Discreet and skin-friendly options

Where possible, involve residents in the decision-making process and offer them choices that preserve dignity and promote independence.

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Encouraging residents to use the bathroom at regular intervals can help prevent accidents. Scheduled visits to the toilet and simply being aware of individual patterns can help minimise episodes of incontinence.

Ensure toilets are easily accessible, clearly signposted, and kept in good working order. For residents with mobility issues, make use of aids such as handrails and raised seats to promote safe and independent toileting.

Frequent exposure to urine or faeces can cause incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), a painful condition that puts residents at risk of secondary infections, including pressure ulcers. 

Make sure your team follows best practices for cleansing and protecting the skin, such as:

• Gentle cleansing with pH-balanced wipes or wash products
• Application of barrier creams
• Regular changes of incontinence products

Maintaining high standards of hygiene and turning residents regularly can also reduce the risk of complications.

Some residents may try to reduce their fluid intake in an attempt to control incontinence, but dehydration can actually worsen symptoms and lead to urinary tract infections. Encourage healthy hydration throughout the day and check that residents aren’t avoiding fluids. Urinary incontinence can be worsened by constipation, so a balanced diet rich in fibre can help promote better bladder and bowel health.

Incontinence can be distressing and socially isolating for residents. Treat all residents with kindness and sensitivity, avoiding language that could cause embarrassment or shame. Create an environment where residents feel supported, not judged. Encourage conversations about continence to be open and respectful, and train staff to handle these discussions with empathy and discretion.

Managing incontinence effectively is about much more than products and procedures – it’s about providing compassionate, person-centred care that respects the dignity of every resident. With the right training, tools, and approach, your team can help residents live more comfortably, confidently, and independently. We’re here to support you with high-quality continence care products, expert guidance, and a reliable service you can count on. For advice on choosing the right products or setting up a regular supply, get in touch with us today.