Promoting urinary continence with older people: key issues for nurses

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Urology
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Urinary incontinence is a prevalent and distressing condition among older adults, impacting both frail and community-dwelling individuals.
• The condition is often under-reported, despite increasing global prevalence due to demographic shifts.
• Current clinical practice predominantly employs palliative strategies for urinary incontinence management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the underutilization of conservative continence promotion methods in nursing practice for older adults.
• To advocate for practice development in promoting continence among the elderly population.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review of current practices and literature concerning urinary incontinence in older adults.
• Analysis of the role of conservative approaches, including lifestyle and behavioral therapies, in continence promotion.

Main Results:

• Conservative approaches, such as lifestyle adjustments and behavioral therapies, are the foundation of active continence promotion.
• Routine implementation of these conservative methods by nurses working with older people appears minimal.
• Palliative strategies are commonly used, but the rationale behind this prevalence requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant need for practice development to promote continence effectively in older adults.
• Sustainable strategies are required to integrate conservative continence promotion into routine nursing care.
• Addressing the gap in conservative approach utilization is crucial for improving the quality of life for older adults with urinary incontinence.