Urinary Urgency

Pearls for Parkinson's: Tips for Daily Living with PD. 

To watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UZpfTOLFaOI

Have you ever experienced that moment when you feel the urge and think…
“I’m not going to make it.”

This is something many people with Parkinson’s experience - but don’t always talk about.

It’s not just about the bladder.
It’s about timing.

In this episode of Pearls for Parkinson’s, we talk about why this happens and simple, practical ways to stay one step ahead - so you can move through your day with more confidence.

Take a few minutes to listen - you may pick up one small change that makes a big difference. 

If you’ve found something that helps, share it. Someone else may need that tip today

To support more programs like this: https://wiparkinson.app.neoncrm.com/forms/support-pearls4pd

Wisconsin Parkinson Association 
website: https://wiparkinson.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wiparkinson
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wiparkinson/
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiparkinson/

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:04

Welcome to Pearls for Parkinson's. Here is this week's daily living tip. Welcome back to Pearls for Parkinsons. Today we're talking about urinary urgency, that what happens when I can't get there in time. This can be very common in Parkinson's, and it's not just about the bladder. So why does this happen? Well, as I explained in my last episode, the bladder becomes more overactive. So when that signal comes, it's strong and it's urgent. And at the same time, Parkinson's affects movement, standing up, turning, walking. It all takes more time. And if freezing gait is part of your Parkinson's, that adds another layer. So it becomes a timing issue. The bladder says go and the body says, give me a second. And so we have to plan for that. So let's talk about something simple but really important. Clothing. What you wear can either help you or slow you down. Think about elastic waistbands instead of buttons or zippers. Avoid tight clothing that is harder to move quickly. And skip complicated layers when you're out. Choose clothing that you can manage easily, even if your hands feel slower. This is about saving seconds, and in this case, seconds matter. So the next thing we want to look at is environment. Take a minute to think about your home setup. Is the path to the bathroom clear? Are there obstacles or tight turns in your way? Is the bathroom easy to access from where you spend most of your time? Sometimes even the small changes like rearranging furniture or using a closer bathroom, even if it's not the normal one you would use, can make a big difference. And if you're out of the house, a little bit of planning helps. Know where the bathrooms are, scope those out in advance. Give yourself a little extra time and don't wait until the last minute. Now let's talk about protective products. A lot has changed. I know you're thinking about depends and things like that, but it's come a long way. And we're not talking about bulky or obvious anymore. There are a lot of products that are very discrete. There are thin liners for light protection, there are contoured pads that fit the body, and there are men's guards that are designed specifically for that anatomy. And even underwear that look and feel like regular underwear. Most are designed to be discrete, they're very comfortable and odor controlling. They take away that constant worry of what if and give you the confidence to leave the house, stay active, and stay engaged. Because when that anxiety goes down, everything else feels more manageable. And one last tip when the urge hits, don't rush immediately. Pause for a moment, take a breath, and then move. Rushing can actually make movement more difficult, especially if freezing gait is part of your Parkinson's. This is really about planning ahead and not limiting yourself. The goal isn't to avoid situations, it's to really feel more confident in them. And if you've found something that works for you, please share it with us because someone else is trying to figure this out too. I hope you liked this episode. If you did, hit that like button and share it with a friend or a support group and tune in next Monday for more pearls for Parkinson's. The Wisconsin Parkinson Association is a grassroots organization funded by people like you. To support more local programming like this, visit wiparkinson.org.