Role of the advanced practice nurse in continence care in the home

Because incontinence is one of the most common problems encountered in the home care setting, home care agencies are beginning to recognize the importance of having a continence care program, and the need for advance practice nurses (APNs) to assume roles as continence care nurses (CCNs) is increasing. Through a comprehensive continence care program, incontinence is curable and easy to treat. This article describes the role of the APN as a CCN, and provides a description of the assessment and therapeutic management of the various types of urinary incontinence, focusing on the elderly patient in the home care setting.