Incontinence

This image shows a park like background with a brick walk. An older man with gray hair and a blue long-sleeved shirt is pushing a wheelchair carrying an older woman about his age. The woman has white hair and wears a cream-colored long-sleeved shirt and jeans.

Traveling Well with Both MS and Incontinence Takes Planning

Dear Carol: My wife, age 48, is incontinent due to multiple sclerosis (MS). We used to love camping in national parks, so...

Minding Our Elders’ 2025 Mid-Year Elder-Friendly Products and Tech Roundup

Dear Readers: It’s mid-year, already! That means it’s time for my semi-annual column that features elder-friendly products, services, and technology. I mostly...

This image shows a cloudy, gray day on a construction site. We see a massive, classic yeallow digger from the rear with the bucket raised.

Husband Has Problems Accepting Surgically Caused Bowel Incontinence

Dear Carol: My husband has bowel incontinence caused by a surgical procedure that had to be redone three times. The third time...

We see a wide shower head with gentle shower in action. The background is blurry and dark and could be indoor or outdoor.

What to Do When a Senior Refuses to Bathe and Change Their Clothes

When it comes to caring for the elderly, hygiene issues are surprisingly common. Determining why their bathing habits have changed is the...

An indoor image of an older man with thinning gray hair. He appears to be thinking hard or asleep, with his head bent downward and his eyelids lowered. He's holding his hand against his chin with his thumb against his cheek as if supporting his head. He appears to be sitting and is wearing barely visible blue and white plaid pajamas under and brown and white robe.

4 Of the Toughest Challenges We Face As Caregivers

Caregiving throws many challenges our way, including establishing care routines for our elders that are not only challenging but may be somewhat...

Why Would Mom Choose to Smell Rather Than Use Incontinence Products?

Dear Carol: My mom is only 79 but she has a lot of health problems including lung disease requiring oxygen. She receives good health care...

This ndoor image shows a white door with a window blurred in the background. In the foreground, two women site together looking at a smart phone. The older woman has short graying hair, and is wearing a pink wrap around her neck over a blue shirt and jeans. she's holding her glasses in one hand as she points to something on the phone scree that is being held in front of her by a younger woman. The younger woman is on ghe right. She has long grown hair and is wearing a white summery sweater.

New to Caregiving: How Do I Keep from Going Under?

Dear Carol: My parents are in their 70s and had been mostly healthy. I don’t have to worry about financial and health legal...

This outdoor image shows a green garden in the background with two men stting in the foreground on a eck. The younger man has short, dark blonde hair and is wearing a brown short-sleeved shirt. He has his arm resting casually on a railing. The older man is on the firght. He has white hair, dark rimmed glasses, a white, long-sleeved, button collared shirt with a blue and red small design and beighe paints. He's looking at the younger man and smiling as if listening.

Tips for Managing Incontinence with Dementia

Dear Carol: My dad has Alzheimer’s. Since I’ve received support and training from the Alzheimer’s Association for how to deal with his Alzheimer’s...

This indoor image shows an older man on the left smiling as he looks at a younger man who sits with his arm around his shoulders. We only see the back of the younger mans head but he has short brown hair and wears a light mauve shirt open to reveal a white tee shirt. The older man has white hair and is wearing a light blue collared shirt with long sleeves under a gray sweater vest.

How to Get Rid of the Urine Smell When Incontinence Accidents Happen

Dear Carol: I feel like my home is becoming contaminated territory! My Dad is a sweetheart, but he’s got dementia and has...

This indoor image shows an older Arfrican American couple sitting on a couch with heads turned facing each other. The love they have shows in their faces. The man o the left has very short gray hair with a receding hairline. He wears wirerimmed glasses and a muted gray plaid shirt. The woman, on the right, has short gray hair and glasses and wears a muted ivory top.

Spouse Criticized for How He Cares for Wife with Dementia

Dear Carol: My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s eight years ago. While it hasn’t been easy keeping her home with me, it’s been...