The holiday season can be a joyful time, but for individuals living with urinary incontinence, it may also present unique challenges. Increased travel, busy schedules, dietary changes, and stress can all exacerbate bladder symptoms. As a caregiver or healthcare professional, you play a critical role in helping patients or care recipients navigate the season with dignity, comfort, and confidence.
This guide offers practical, patient-centred strategies to support individuals with incontinence during the holidays.
Encourage Proactive Planning
Holiday routines often disrupt predictable bathroom access. Support your patient by reviewing restroom access in advance. Help patients identify bathrooms at travel destinations, event venues, shopping centres, and along travel routes.
It's also recommended to prepare a discreet continence kit. Caregivers may prepare or pack this kit if the patient requires assistance. Recommend assembling a small pouch containing:
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Incontinence pads or protective underwear
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Skin-friendly disposable cleansing wipes
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Extra underwear or clothing
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A disposal bag
Recommending adaptive clothing that’s easy to remove (elastic waistbands, fewer layers, accessible fasteners) reduces urgency-related stress during bathroom trips.
Guide Smart Dietary & Fluid Decisions
Holiday foods can worsen symptoms. Discuss common bladder irritants, including caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, citrus and tomato-based items, artificial sweeteners
Promote steady hydration. Educate patients that restricting fluids can lead to concentrated urine, bladder irritation, and increased urgency. Caregivers can discreetly support healthier choices and monitor intake if needed.
Reinforce Effective Behavioural Interventions
During the often hectic holiday months, maintaining established routines is essential.
Time voiding by encouraging voiding every 2–4 hours to reduce accidents and urgency. Double voiding is a technique that helps ensure the bladder empties completely, lowering the risk of overflow incidents.
For appropriate patients, reinforce use of rapid pelvic floor contractions (“the knack”) during activities that increase abdominal pressure.
Select the Right Products for Protection & Comfort
Caregivers and clinicians can help patients choose absorbent products tailored to their needs. ActivKare has a selection of products that can help you and your patients navigate this.
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Recommend incontinence-specific products (not menstrual pads).
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Discuss absorbency levels, fit, and comfort.
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Consider skin health, particularly for older adults or those with mobility challenges.
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Encourage breathable, moisture-wicking clothing to reduce skin breakdown.
Address Emotional Well-being & Stress Levels
Stress can intensify bladder symptoms. The holidays often elevate emotional demands, so. Caregivers can encourage brief relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or grounding exercises. Validate patient concerns and normalize the prevalence of incontinence by offering reassurance that needing breaks or making adjustments is completely acceptable. Watch for signs of increased anxiety, shame, or withdrawal.
Know When to Escalate Care
Advise patients or caregivers to seek medical evaluation if they notice:
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New or rapidly worsening incontinence
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Pain, burning, fever, or bloody urine
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Significant skin irritation or breakdown
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Increased fall risk due to urgency
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Impact on daily routines or quality of life
These may indicate infection, medication side effects, or other treatable causes.
Empowering Holiday Confidence
Caregivers and healthcare professionals can profoundly influence a patient’s holiday experience. With preparation, supportive communication, and tailored strategies, individuals managing incontinence can enjoy the season with comfort and dignity.