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Continence and using the toilet
People with dementia may face a number of difficulties with using the toilet, particularly as the illness progresses. These can include:
Memory: Forgetting to go to the toilet, where it is, or how to use it.
Sequencing: Struggling to perform the different physical steps in the right order.
Communication: Not being able to say when they need to go, or when, how and why they are experiencing problems.
Recognition: Not recognising the body’s physical messages that they need to go, or not realising what the toilet is and going elsewhere instead.
Environment: Finding the toilet may be difficult. Colours, mirrors and surfaces may cause confusion.
This guide looks at four common situations for people with dementia — and suggests ideas to offer support.
