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My grandmother had a bad number 2 accident today while trying to walk to the bathroom and she wasn't able to notice until seeing the mess. She says this is the first time it had happened and as I was washing her up I noticed her buttocks seems to have no muscle mass at all.


Can anyone suggest some simple exercises that might help with this and increase muscle mass?


As a note: she has arthritis in her arms and uses two canes to walk. My girlfriend and I care for her and putting her into a nursing home is not an option.

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Kegel excercises may help. See below:

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/bowel-control-problems-fecal-incontinence/treatment#:~:text=Pelvic%20floor%20muscle%20exercises%2C%20also,the%20exercises%20the%20right%20way.
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Sorry, but this happens to us all even men. I really don't think tightening up butt muscles will cure her problem.

With my Mom it was coffee and apple juice that was the problem. Takinf them away helped. No sugar free candy.
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I'm sorry but the thought of an 80+ year old woman using exercises of any type to reverse incontinence is doubtful. I would start by looking at whether something in her diet or medications may be contributing to this, but the fact she didn't seem to notice makes me think it is more than that. Making sure she uses the toilet after meals (and sits for a sufficient amount of time) can cut down on accidents, and wearing incontinence underwear will help catch any accidents. And bring this up with her physician so that nothing medical is overlooked.
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Kegel exercises for women are good for tightening up BOTH the vaginal and the anal areas.

What are Kegel exercises and how are they done?
How to do Kegel Exercises
Make sure your bladder is empty, then sit or lie down.
Tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Hold tight and count 3 to 5 seconds.
Relax the muscles and count 3 to 5 seconds.
Repeat 10 times, 3 times a day (morning, afternoon, and night).

Tightening the pelvic floor is like trying to hold in pee when you have to go REALLY REALLY badly.

Good luck!
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Eric, what you might alternately consider is asking one of her physicians to script for home care PT and OT.    A nurse would be sent out to perform an intake assessment, then the therapists would come and do their own analyses.  They'd be a better position to recommend exercises that are tailored specifically to your grandmother's physical condition than us, especially since we're not able to assess your grandmother's strength and conditioning.   

Although you didn't ask, have you considered using a rollator for her instead of 2 canes?   It would provide much more stability, and make moving around safer.
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Eric27 Oct 2020
We had something like it for her but she prefered using canes though I think I will have to insisy her to use it as her balance is worsening ovet the years. I will take your advice. Thanks!
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How old is your gramma? The older one gets the more difficult it is to keep, no less improve, muscle mass. This is a call to a physical therapist, who can suggest age appropriate exercises and adjusted expectations for whether or not she can make any headway.
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Eric27 Oct 2020
She is 83 turning 84 in January. Will contact her physician. Thanks!
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