Urinary and fecal incontinence in nursing homes

Urinary and fecal incontinence affect 50% or more of nursing home residents and frequently occur together because immobility and dementia are primary risk factors for both conditions. Many residents (40%-60%) show immediate improvement when provided with consistent toileting assistance, which compensates for the immobility and dementia risk factors that prevent them from toileting independently. Residents who are responsive to assistance can be identified with a 2-day run-in trial during which prompts are provided every 2 hours to encourage toileting. This run-in trial also provides an opportunity to use protocols to identify and treat other reversible causes of incontinence (e.g., urinary tract infection, fecal impaction) and to diagnose problems with bladder or anorectal functioning. The effects of toileting assistance on the frequency of fecal incontinence, while significant, are less dramatic than those reported for urinary incontinence, primarily because of constipation. Fortunately, noninvasive interventions have been identified that address most of the risk factors common to both constipation and fecal incontinence. Trials are needed to evaluate treatments that integrate noninvasive interventions directed toward the use of laxatives or constipating agents, low toileting frequency, low food and fluid intake, and physical activity to improve constipation and fecal incontinence in nursing home residents. The scientific documentation of the efficacy of such a noninvasive intervention and the labor costs of implementing these measures can lead to major changes in how nursing home care is funded and provided.