What Causes Bathroom Problems In Dementia

Bathroom challenges are one of the most common, and least talked about, parts of dementia caregiving. You've tried asking. You've tried reminding. You've tried everything. And it still isn't working.

This isn't defiance. It isn't stubbornness. What's happening in the brain is making the bathroom one of the hardest spaces for someone with dementia to navigate. The bathroom requires more brain systems working together than almost any other room in the home. 

In this episode I walk through the most common reasons people with dementia struggle with the bathroom — and what you can do about it.

If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here.

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⏱️ CHAPTERS

0:00 - Introduction

0:24 - Common bathroom behaviors caregivers are dealing with

1:00 - Why the bathroom is cognitively demanding

2:00 - Interoception: why they don't know they have to go

3:15 - Apraxia and difficulty sequencing bathroom steps

4:15 - Aphasia and not understanding instructions

4:45 - Why the bathroom environment increases confusion

8:00 - Practical strategies to try

 

#dementia #dementiacare #alzheimers #dementiacaregiver

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Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.