Are urinary tract infections in your facility trending upward? Are you getting complaints from families of your residents about the amount of incontinence products they have to buy? The answer to these problems could be in a forgotten area of your facility – your rehab services!
Urinary incontinence (UI) can be treated by both physical and occupational therapists, who have the knowledge and skills to help treat UI and provide interventions which will help lower the number of urinary tract infections in your facility.
“One thing we have to remember is that urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging,” said Jenifer Johnson, PT, DPT, a women’s health specialist. “Yes, it is common, but by utilizing an interdisciplinary approach with your physical and occupational therapy teams to address this, you will find that there are ways that we can help improve your facility’s outcomes as well as your residents’ quality of life.”
Physical therapists can help residents and their caregivers gain control over their symptoms through interventions such as Kegel exercises, biofeedback, muscle strengthening exercises and electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor. They can also help by teaching residents and the caregivers what foods and drinks may irritate the bladder, techniques to decrease urinary urges, how to keep a healthy bathroom schedule and how to maintain hydration. For more information on how a physical therapist can help someone with urinary incontinence, check out the Choose PT website here.
Occupational therapists are also extremely helpful when a person has incontinence and cognitive deficits. They can help identify ways and techniques to make it easier to make it to the bathroom in time through timed voiding, easily removable clothing, wayfinding, bathroom set-up and many other interventions. Usually occupational therapists are the best choice for care in the long-term care environment.
“Occupational therapists are trained to treat the whole person,” said Megan Zuelke, OT. “They can identify and address physical, cognitive and psychological impacts of UI, and provide meaningful interventions to aid in optimizing independence with activities of daily living and overall quality of life.”
Find out how Innovate Rehab & Wellness can make a difference in your residents’ lives, improve your continence care and lower costs for your residents and your facility through our urinary incontinence program by calling (402) 682-6999.