LOCAL ADVICE FROM A LOCAL EXPERT Q: bladene I worry about skin breakdown. What can I do to be sure my mother's skin doesn't breakdown and what can I do when this happens? Skin care and continence be a A: Challenge for a resident with dementia. Incontinence and proper skin care go hand in hand. Goals for residents with mild to severe forms of dementia include maintaining successful continence, providing dignified means of incontinence assistance, promoting healthy skin, and providing appropriate perineum care. Management of incontinence for a resident with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia must be highly individualized. For a cognitively impaired resident, a routine toileting schedule is usually successful. Schedules must be individualized, and they work best in smaller environments. To encourage the resident to participate in the act of toileting and self-care, the caregiver should deliver clear and simple one-step directions. Speak with other family members or individual about past routines and toileting patterns. You will want to try to provide a similar pattern. Learn to recognize nonverbal signs that you loved one needs to use the restroom, such as pacing, agitation, or a grimaced look on their face. Disposable undergarments are beneficial for a person with cognitive impairment who may not have the physical or cognitive ability to use the restroom themselves in a timely manner. These disposable undergarments are designed to wick away moisture from the skin, almost eliminating one of the largest risk factors in the loss of skin integrity. Apply a barrier cream with zinc oxide in event that you do notice some redness before breakdown can occur. Lindsey Pierce RN, DON at Country House Residence Dickinson, ND Unmanaged urinary incontinence leads to skin breakdown. Other risk factors include inadequate oral nutrition, dehydration, lack of sensory perception, decreased mobility or medical conditions that affect their circulation. As a person ages, his or her skin loses elasticity and becomes drier, which also increases the risk for loss of skin integrity. Make sure to offer snacks between meals and have fluids readily available/ encourage often. Individuals with impaired mobility should be assisted at least every 2 hours in repositioning themselves. Again, routine restroom schedule and helping with perineum care after toileting will help maintain good skin health. Good personal hygiene goes hand in hand. Bathing can be difficult sometimes. Ensure that you create a soothing and unintimidating environment. Caring for a person with dementia can be very challenging particularly with continence management, but with correct preventative measures in place you can successfully provide for your loved one. 2022 EEST OF THE WESTERN EDGE Voted Best Senior Care & Best Place to Work Availability is limited COUNTRY HOUSE RESIDENCE for memory care by Agemark Senior Living 628 24th Street West Dickinson, ND 58601 Please call 701-483-2266 for more information, or email Amanda Wilson awilson@countryhouse.net LOCAL ADVICE FROM A LOCAL EXPERT Q : bladene I worry about skin breakdown . What can I do to be sure my mother's skin doesn't breakdown and what can I do when this happens ? Skin care and continence be a A : Challenge for a resident with dementia . Incontinence and proper skin care go hand in hand . Goals for residents with mild to severe forms of dementia include maintaining successful continence , providing dignified means of incontinence assistance , promoting healthy skin , and providing appropriate perineum care . Management of incontinence for a resident with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia must be highly individualized . For a cognitively impaired resident , a routine toileting schedule is usually successful . Schedules must be individualized , and they work best in smaller environments . To encourage the resident to participate in the act of toileting and self - care , the caregiver should deliver clear and simple one - step directions . Speak with other family members or individual about past routines and toileting patterns . You will want to try to provide a similar pattern . Learn to recognize nonverbal signs that you loved one needs to use the restroom , such as pacing , agitation , or a grimaced look on their face . Disposable undergarments are beneficial for a person with cognitive impairment who may not have the physical or cognitive ability to use the restroom themselves in a timely manner . These disposable undergarments are designed to wick away moisture from the skin , almost eliminating one of the largest risk factors in the loss of skin integrity . Apply a barrier cream with zinc oxide in event that you do notice some redness before breakdown can occur . Lindsey Pierce RN , DON at Country House Residence Dickinson , ND Unmanaged urinary incontinence leads to skin breakdown . Other risk factors include inadequate oral nutrition , dehydration , lack of sensory perception , decreased mobility or medical conditions that affect their circulation . As a person ages , his or her skin loses elasticity and becomes drier , which also increases the risk for loss of skin integrity . Make sure to offer snacks between meals and have fluids readily available / encourage often . Individuals with impaired mobility should be assisted at least every 2 hours in repositioning themselves . Again , routine restroom schedule and helping with perineum care after toileting will help maintain good skin health . Good personal hygiene goes hand in hand . Bathing can be difficult sometimes . Ensure that you create a soothing and unintimidating environment . Caring for a person with dementia can be very challenging particularly with continence management , but with correct preventative measures in place you can successfully provide for your loved one . 2022 EEST OF THE WESTERN EDGE Voted Best Senior Care & Best Place to Work Availability is limited COUNTRY HOUSE RESIDENCE for memory care by Agemark Senior Living 628 24th Street West Dickinson , ND 58601 Please call 701-483-2266 for more information , or email Amanda Wilson awilson@countryhouse.net