Urinary incontinence in the elderly

Probably 20% of community dwelling older adults have enough incontinence to limit some aspect of their lives. Affected individuals go to great lengths to deny and hide urinary incontinence, which can pose physical and psychosocial impediments to the enjoyment of life. There are differing pathophysiologies of incontinence and what helps one type may not help and may in fact worsen another. Problems of incontinence can be associated with major neurological damage or can be functional or iatrogenic. This article reviews the more commonly presenting forms of urinary incontinence (acute, chronic, urge, overflow, and stress incontinence) including treatment options and the role of the incontinence specialist.