---
title: "What Is Continence? Home Care Glossary | HomeCare.com"
description: "Continence, as an activity of daily living, means the ability to control bladder and bowel. When control is lost, a person may need help with pads, a..."
url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/continence/
publisher: HomeCare.com
phone: 800-974-3458
start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com
---

Daily living and health

# Continence

Continence, as an activity of daily living, means the ability to control bladder and bowel. When control is lost, a person may need help with pads, a catheter, or an ostomy bag. Loss of continence is common with age and illness, and it is often treatable.

## Why it matters for your family

Continence matters for comfort, skin health, and dignity. Loss of control can lead to embarrassment, withdrawal, and falls on the way to the bathroom. Many causes can be treated, such as infections, medicines, or weak muscles, so families should raise it with a doctor. Practical help includes easy bathroom access, clothes that are quick to remove, and a regular toileting schedule. A common mistake is treating it as a normal part of aging that cannot change. Caregivers can help with hygiene, supplies, and respectful, calm responses. Keep a short log of when accidents happen, because patterns help the doctor find the cause.

Source: [acl.gov](https://acl.gov/ltc/glossary)

[Read more: Personal and advanced care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/personal-care/)

## Related terms

-   [**Incontinence**Incontinence is the loss of control over the bladder, bowel, or both, causing leaks or accidents.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/incontinence/)
-   [**Toileting**Toileting, as an activity of daily living, means getting to and from the toilet, using it, and cleaning up afterward.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/toileting/)
-   [**Activities of daily living (ADLs)**Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the basic self-care tasks people do each day.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/activities-of-daily-living/)
-   [**Personal care**Personal care is hands-on help with daily self-care, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, and moving around.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/personal-care/)
-   [**Fall risk**Fall risk is the chance that a person will fall and be hurt.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/fall-risk/)
-   [**Dementia care**Dementia care is support for people with memory loss and other thinking problems that disrupt daily life.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/dementia-care/)

[All glossary terms](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/)

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