National family week is a yearly celebration that is observed during Thanksgiving week. This designated week has been in effect since 1968 in order to help build community connections while honoring communities that help to build strong families.
Many local towns host community events involving families by holding volunteer projects, community forums, resource fairs and other activities.
The founder of National Family Week was Sam Wiley (former teacher and administrator) in partnership with President George W. Bush.
In honor of National Family Week, FANNYPANTS.com dedicates this article on tips for caring for a loved one with incontinence.
Many family members experience challenges in caring for a loved one with incontinence. Whether it’s a child or an adult with Alzheimer’s disease or some other type of dementia, caring for a family member with incontinence can be time consuming, expensive, and emotionally challenging. Many caregivers report feelings such as; anger, frustration and feeling lonely when attempting to manage care without support or help.
Here are some tips for family caregivers of a loved one with incontinence:
- Keep in mind that you are not alone; 25% of women and 15% of men experience incontinence at some point in their lives.
- Attempt to make incontinence care as natural as possible to avoid causing the care receiver from feeling socially isolated, dependent or having feelings of rejection or loss of control.
- Locate a support group to deal with feelings of frustration and other common emotions experienced by family caregivers.
- Be prepared for the financial aspect of the cost of incontinence aids, as well as the expense of cleaning clothes and bedding.
- Be aware that research indicates that many people with incontinence hide their feelings of embarrassment and other personal feelings about the condition.
- A key to helping your loved one deal with frustration about being incontinent is to listen and give support while tuning into any needs that may be unmet.
- Be open to discussing your loved one’s feelings about incontinence and offer understanding and support to help him/her cope with any negative emotions about the condition.
- Irritability or depression may be symptoms of lack of sleep if your loved one is up frequently during the night. Be sure to address these symptoms with the physician.
- Keep in mind that when a person believes things are hopeless and that they are helpless to do anything about it, they are prone to depression-learn about the symptoms of depression and report any signs or symptoms you observe to the physician immediately.
- It’s important for family caregivers to ask for help and balance their time to allow for self-care, don’t fall prey to caregiver burnout by trying to do it all alone.
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