Introduction
“As a caregiver, I make all the meals at home.”
– A caregiver from Thunder Bay, ON“I had no idea that incontinence was something that could be treated.”
– A caregiver from Oshawa, ON
Introduction
This module focuses on two distinct topics to review ‘ins and outs’: nutrition and bladder health. After a brief introduction to each topic, along with the associated learning outcomes, the module will address the topic of nutrition first, followed by bladder health.
Nutrition
As a caregiver for a senior living with frailty, you are often responsible for planning and preparing meals for another person. Older adults have high rates of nutrition risk and ensuring that the meals you make are nutritious can be challenging.
You may have questions about nutrition, such as:
- How do you know the difference between good and poor nutrition?
- How do you recognize if a person is at nutrition risk?
- What happens when the person you care for refuses food?
- What are some strategies to support good nutrition?
Good nutrition is defined as the act of eating a variety of foods necessary for health and growth.
Poor nutrition (malnutrition) is defined as a lack of intake of food or nutrients, leading to poor health.
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the body does not have enough water to function properly. It occurs when a person drinks less fluid than the amount of fluid they naturally lose each day.”
Bladder Health
Contrary to popular belief, urinary incontinence is not part of the normal process of aging! It is often a symptom of an underlying health issue. Urinary incontinence is defined as loss of bladder control causing leaking of urine. It can be a challenge when you’re caring for a person with bladder health issues.
You may have questions about bladder health, such as:
- What type of incontinence is the person you care for experiencing?
- What are the strategies to manage it?
- How do you talk to the person you are caring for about this issue?
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module you will be able to:
Nutrition
- recognize eating habits
- recognize nutrition risk
- identify strategies to support meal planning
- review helpful tips on when a person refuses food
- identify the link between mouth care and nutrition
- review helpful tips on how to communicate effectively with health care professionals about nutrition
- find additional support
Bladder Health
- recognize common factors that cause urinary incontinence
- identify different types of urinary incontinence
- develop strategies to manage a person’s incontinence now and on an ongoing basis
- review helpful tips on how to manage the impact of incontinence on your relationship
- review helpful tips on how to communicate effectively with health care professionals about bladder health
- find additional support
Facts About Nutrition
Did you know?
There are so many benefits of good nutrition:
- improved sleep, memory and mood
- improved blood sugar and digestion
- improved energy, strength, and weight management
- supports blood pressure and heart health
- improves ability to fight infections and heal from illness
- helps medications a person is taking to work properly
Facts About Bladder Health
Did you know?
Urinary incontinence can occur in people of all ages. It can cause:
- social isolation, embarrassment
- decreased movement
- skin issues
- embarrassment
- falls
- depression and anxiety
- loss of intimacy
- financial burden