Summary

This module provided you with information and caregiving strategies for nutrition and bladder health. Main topics related to nutrition were how to recognize eating habits, assess for nutrition risk (malnutrition), and strategize ways to encourage good nutrition. You also learned about the link between mouth care and nutrition. This module also addressed some of the main causes and types of urinary incontinence and strategies to manage incontinence now and on an ongoing basis. For both topics in this module you learned some helpful tips to consider when you need to speak with a health care professional. Now you can start to develop your own personalized strategies to manage nutrition and bladder health and find additional support you need for the ‘ins and outs’.  Activity 4.6

Talk with Others

Discuss with the group: there are two discussion forums for this module.

In the first forum, share any strategies you use to manage nutrition or bladder health in the person you are caring for or new strategies that you will start to try as a result of what you’ve learned in this module. What do you do when a person says “no” to food?

In the second forum, provide your expertise regarding managing bladder control. How do you manage urinary incontinence at night? The more tips you share, the more other caregivers will be able to learn.What’s Next?

As you know, nutrition and bladder health are impacted by how many medications a person is taking. Medication management is a very important topic and one that caregivers are often trying to organize and manage on their own. As you move into the next module, which explores medication management, you are encouraged to take what you have learned about this module and reflect on how it applies to the next module and to your caregiving overall.

 Activity 4.7

Module Feedback

Complete the Module 4 Experience Survey.

References

Nutrition

Canadian Dental Association (2019) Tips for caregivers. Retrieved from: http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental care_seniors/ tips.asp
Capezuti, E., Zwicker, D., Mezet, M., and Fulmer, T. (2008). Evidence-based geriatric nursing protocols for best practice: Third edition. New York, New York: Springer Publishing Company. Dietitians of Canada. (2019). UnlockFood.ca. Retrieved from: http://www.unlockfood.ca/en/default.aspx
ElderCarelink. (2019). An elder refuses to eat: what should a caregiver do? Retrieved from http://www.eldercarelink.com/Other-Resources/Health/elders-refusal-to-eat.htm
Government of Canada. (2019). Canada’s food guide. Retrieved from: https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/healthy-food-choices/
Nestlé Nutrition Institute. (2012). Self-MNA® mini nutritional assessment for adults 65 years of age and older. Retrieved from: https://www.mna-elderly.com/mna_forms.html
Ramage-Morin, P.L., Gilmour, H., and Rotermann, M. (2017). Nutritional risk, hospitalization and mortality among community dwelling Canadians aged 65 or older. Health Rep., 28(9), 17-27.

Bladder Health

Cassells, C., and Watt, E. (2003). The impact of incontinence on older spousal caregivers. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 42(6), 607-16.
Daily Caring. (2019). Incontinence pads for beds: layers keep things dry. Retrieved from: https://dailycaring.com/incontinence-pads-for-beds-layers-work/
Family Caregiver Aliiance (2012). Incontinence Care. Retrieved from https://www.caregiver.org/incontinence-care
RGP of Toronto. (2018). SF7 Toolkit. Retrieved from: https://www.rgptoronto.ca/resources/
The Canadian Continence Foundation (2014). The impact of incontinence in Canada a briefing document for policy makers. Cameron Institute, Retrieved from: http://www.canadiancontinence.ca/pdfs/en-impact-of-incontinence-in-canada-2014.pdf
The Canadian Continence Foundation (2018). Different types of urinary incontinence Copyright ©, Retrieved from: http://www.canadiancontinence.ca/EN/types-of-urinary-incontinence.php
The Canadian Continence Foundation (2018). Bladder Diary Copyright ©, Retrieved from: http://www.canadiancontinence.ca/pdfs/Bladder-Diary.pdf
The Canadian Continence Foundation (2018). The Source: your guide to bladder control Copyright ©, Retrieved from: http://www.canadiancontinence.ca/pdfs/Source-2018/The-Source-2018-English.pdf