Promoting healthy bladder habits for seniors

Urinary incontinence (UI) effects people of all ages, but is especially prevalent in the elderly population. Also significant is a lack of knowledge about UI. A health promotion project was developed and implemented in six ethnically diverse, predominantly minority, inner city senior centers, a program designed to address an elder population, as they are very likely to be experiencing UI and lacking knowledge concerning healthy bladder habits. The project consisted of three phases: orientation/training of key staff members/peer educators at the six senior centers; educating elder consumers through four one-hour weekly sessions involving visual aids and completion of bladder records and quizzes, and follow-up sessions with senior staff/peer educators to reinforce previous training. One result was that training of peer educators needed further refinement to allow for a more significant role throughout the program. The program was very well received by the participants and roughly 80 percent felt they had more control over their bladder by the end of the last session. This project will continue into 1997 and in addition to information on UI, the project will include prostate health for men and gynecological health for women, as this need became evident throughout the program.