A Guide to Functional Incontinence: Causes, Management, and Best Products

Struggling with incontinence can feel frustrating and isolating, especially when it’s not caused by a physical issue with the bladder itself. With more than 25 million Americans experiencing temporary or chronic urinary incontinence, it is especially prevalent in women over 50. 

If you’re navigating this yourself or helping a loved one, understanding the condition is the first step toward regaining confidence and control. Keep reading as we explore what functional incontinence is, its common causes, and practical strategies to manage it effectively.

What is Functional Incontinence?

Unlike other types of incontinence, such as stress incontinence, which occurs due to weakened pelvic muscles, or urge incontinence, which involves overactive bladder muscles leading to sudden, intense urges to urinate, functional incontinence is more situational. It happens when physical or cognitive limitations prevent a person from reaching the bathroom in time. 

Causes of Functional Incontinence

The causes of functional incontinence range from mild to more problematic, depending on the individual’s medical history. Common causes include:

• Mobility Challenges: Conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, or nerves (like Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or a stroke) can limit movement, making it difficult to get to the restroom.

• Cognitive Impairments: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other cognitive disorders can affect a person’s ability to recognize the need to use the bathroom or remember its location.

• Environmental Barriers: Obstacles like stairs, cluttered spaces, or inaccessible bathrooms can delay or prevent access.

• Medications: Certain medications, such as sedatives or diuretics, can aggravate functional incontinence by affecting awareness or increasing the urgency to urinate.

• Health Conditions: Weakened bladder or pelvic floor muscles and issues like constipation can further contribute to incontinence episodes by adding physical barriers to effective bladder control.

The Connection Between Functional Incontinence and IDD

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) refers to a group of conditions that affect an individual’s ability to think, learn, or interact with others in a socially expected way. People with IDD are at a higher risk of experiencing incontinence due to developmental and intellectual barriers that can make recognizing and responding to bladder cues difficult.

Some individuals may be unaware that they need to use the bathroom, while others might not fully understand toilet use or basic hygiene practices. Communication difficulties are also common, making it difficult for them to express when they need help. 

Each individual with IDD faces unique challenges, emphasizing the importance of tailored care and support. Working with healthcare providers, caregivers, and specialists can help develop personalized strategies, such as creating structured routines, using visual aids, or implementing assistive technologies, to improve quality of life and foster greater independence in managing incontinence.

Managing Functional Incontinence

While the underlying causes of functional incontinence can be difficult to control, there are ways to manage the condition, regardless of the specific challenges you or a loved one may be facing.

Environmental Adjustments

Changing the environment can make managing functional incontinence easier by removing barriers that lead to accidents. These adjustments create a safer and more accessible space for individuals with mobility or cognitive challenges. Consider the following:

• Clear Pathways: Remove clutter, loose rugs, or other obstacles that could block the way to the bathroom.

• Bathroom Accessibility: Install grab bars, raised toilet seats, or other tools to make the bathroom safer and easier to use.

• Improve Lighting: Add nightlights or motion-activated lights to help individuals navigate to the bathroom during the night.

• Simplify Clothing: Use easy-to-remove clothing, such as elastic waistbands, to reduce delays in getting undressed.

• Shorten the Distance: Arrange furniture or sleeping areas closer to the bathroom to make access faster and more convenient.

Assistance From Caregivers

Caregivers play an important role in helping manage functional incontinence by offering support and structure to daily routines. Their help can reduce accidents and improve overall quality of life. Here are key ways caregivers can assist:

• Creating a Routine: Schedule regular bathroom visits to help prevent accidents and promote consistency.

• Providing Gentle Prompts: Use verbal reminders or cues to help individuals recognize when it’s time to use the bathroom.

• Helping with Mobility: Offer support for walking or transferring to the bathroom for those with physical challenges.

• Ensuring Hygiene: Assist with cleaning and proper hygiene after bathroom use to avoid skin irritation or infection.

• Using Support Products: Provide incontinence products, such as absorbent pads or protective underwear, to help manage leaks and ease worry.

Voiding Schedules

Bladder training or putting your loved one or client on a strict voiding schedule will help them create a routine for going to the bathroom regularly and when they need to. This will also help them respond more quickly when they have the urge to use the bathroom. Make sure to monitor fluid intake timing and help educate them about their urinary system, as well as listen to their body’s cues.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Making small, positive lifestyle changes can go a long way in managing functional incontinence and improving daily life. These adjustments not only help reduce accidents but also promote overall well-being. Some helpful strategies include:

• Stay Active: Gentle exercises, like walking or stretching, can improve mobility and make it easier to reach the bathroom in time.

• Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fiber can help prevent constipation, which can sometimes contribute to incontinence.

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water is essential for bladder health. Limiting fluids too much can irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.

Physical Therapy

Strengthening the body can help reduce urine leaks and accidents, particularly through pelvic floor exercises like Kegel exercises. These exercises target the pelvic floor muscles, helping to improve strength and bladder control. 

Physical therapy can provide guidance on performing these exercises correctly and offer additional strategies to enhance pelvic muscle function. Mobility training can also enhance overall strength, bone density, and coordination, providing valuable support for those managing functional incontinence. 

Behavioral Therapy

Believe it or not, behavioral training can greatly help with incontinence. Tools like biofeedback use sensors to provide feedback to individuals learning to control their bladder. Bladder retraining can also help the individual learn to “hold it,” preventing urine leakage and accidents.

Products to Consider for Functional Incontinence

Generic incontinence products found in most stores may be convenient, but they often fall short when it comes to leak protection, proper fit, and high-quality materials. For individuals with IDD or functional incontinence, investing in premium, well-crafted products can make a significant difference in comfort and reliability.

One standout option is Dry Direct Incontinence Products, which are made in Italy using soft, environmentally friendly materials. These products offer twice the absorbency of many other brands, making them an excellent choice for managing incontinence with confidence. Some of their top-rated products include:

Dry Direct Ultimate Protective Underwear

Dry Direct Super Overnight Underwear

Dry Direct Overnight Bladder Control Pads

Browse all Dry Direction products here!

When to Seek Medical Advice

If incontinence is severely impacting your quality of life by disrupting daily activities or sleep, a primary physician or urologist can provide guidance and treatment options.

However, if incontinence significantly worsens or is accompanied by additional symptoms—such as blood in the stool, fever, pain, skin irritation, signs of infection, or changes in bowel habits like constipation or diarrhea—seek medical care immediately. 

Tips for Supporting Loved Ones with Functional Incontinence

If you are supporting a family member or loved one, it’s important to be there for that person before they get to the point of dire need. Follow these tips for supporting loved ones with functional incontinence:

• Provide respect, kindness, and a listening ear: Be patient and understanding with your loved one. Offer positive reinforcement and encouragement, and lead with open and honest communication that goes both ways. Help them feel less embarrassed and ashamed and reassure them that the situation isn’t a huge deal.

• Assist them physically: Be ready and able to help with toileting routines, check in on them regularly if they need to use the restroom, help change incontinence products, and keep spaces clear to help them reach the bathroom more easily.

• Encourage positivity and privacy: Many older adults feel embarrassment or a loss of independence due to incontinence, so offering assistance in a way that maintains their dignity is important. Create an environment that balances providing the necessary care while ensuring they feel respected and valued. 

• Promote a healthy lifestyle: Monitor adequate hydration, healthy eating, and (if possible) regular exercise. It’s important to maintain the health and well-being of your loved one by sticking to a routine. Stress management and mental health support are also a crucial factor for those with incontinence.

• Become well-educated in incontinence: From root causes to lifestyle changes to exercises you can do at home, it’s important to stay well-informed about the topic of incontinence. Stay in the know to make things easier for you and your loved one.

Find Functional Incontinence Supplies at Parentgiving

At Parentgiving, we offer the world’s top-rated incontinence products for various types of urinary incontinence. From absorbent pads and protective underwear to skin care products and mobility aids, we offer a comprehensive selection designed to meet your unique needs. If you’re caring for a loved one with functional incontinence, you can trust Parentgiving to be your partner in this journey. 

With decades of experience helping families navigate the challenges of aging, we’re here to provide solutions that prioritize comfort, dignity, and ease of use. Visit parentgiving.com today to explore our products and discover how we can help you and your loved one feel supported every step of the way.