Bladder Health
Common. Treatable. Don't suffer in silence.
Common senior issues
- Incontinence (leakage).
- Urgency (sudden need).
- Frequent urination.
- Recurrent UTIs.
- Nocturia (waking to urinate).
- Men: BPH (enlarged prostate).
- Most TREATABLE.
Kegel exercises
- Squeeze pelvic floor muscles.
- Hold 5 sec, release 5 sec.
- 10 reps, 3x/day.
- Strengthens bladder control.
- Helps incontinence — proven.
- Both men + women.
- Free + effective.
- Apps: Squeezy, Kegel Trainer.
UTI prevention
- Hydrate well — water, not soda.
- Cranberry supplement (not juice — sugar).
- D-mannose supplement (proven).
- Wipe front-to-back (women).
- Pee after intimacy.
- Limit caffeine + alcohol.
- Probiotics may help.
UTI in seniors
- UTIs in seniors often present as CONFUSION.
- NOT just burning urination.
- Sudden behavior change = test for UTI.
- Especially dementia patients.
- Treatable with antibiotics.
- Caregivers: track this carefully.
Don't avoid water
- Common mistake: drink less to avoid trips.
- Causes concentrated urine + irritation.
- Causes UTIs.
- Worsens issue.
- Drink water spread through day.
- Cut off 2 hours before bed.
Treatments
- Behavioral — Kegels, bladder training.
- Pads — Tena, Always Discreet.
- Medications — Detrol, Toviaz.
- Botox injections — bladder.
- Surgery — slings, bladder lifts.
- Talk to urologist.
No shame
50%+ of senior women have some incontinence. Highly treatable. Don't suffer alone. Tell your doctor. Pelvic floor PT covered by Medicare. Modern pads invisible. Live fully.