Although incontinence can happen at any age, it’s generally more common in seniors. More than 33 million Americans experience urinary incontinence or other bladder conditions. Even though it’s fairly common, urinary incontinence isn’t something your aging loved one should simply accept or live with. In fact, there are many effective urinary incontinence treatments for the elderly, regardless of its cause.
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Incontinence in the elderly at night and throughout the day is fairly common as adults age and their bodies change. What exactly is urinary incontinence? It’s the involuntary loss of urine, and it affects between 25-33% of adults in the U.S.[01]
Elderly urinary incontinence can take on a few forms:
One out of two women older than 65 experience bladder leakage, according to the Urology Care Foundation.[01] While there’s often a focus on identifying a treatment for urinary incontinence in elderly females, this condition affects both men and women roughly equally after they reach the age of 80.[02]
From not drinking enough water to childbirth and health conditions such as diabetes, there are many different reasons behind urinary incontinence. Acute urinary incontinence in elderly adults often comes on suddenly, though sometimes different types of incontinence can develop over time.
The following health issues can cause urinary incontinence in both women and men:
Common urinary incontinence causes in women include:
Urinary incontinence in elderly males is commonly caused by:
There are six main types of urinary incontinence.
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
Your loved one may feel embarrassed by their accidents and avoid scheduling a doctor’s appointment. They may be using absorbent pads or protective underwear to help, but urinary incontinence is very treatable with medical assistance.
They may also hold off receiving medical help because they’re unsure what kind of doctor to see. A primary care doctor, geriatrician, nurse practitioner, or urinary specialist are viable options. Both men and women can visit a urologist, or women can find a dedicated urogynecologist. If your loved one feels comfortable with their primary care doctor, it’s generally good to start there.
At your medical appointment, you’ll likely have:
A patient may also be asked to bring a bladder diary to the first visit or to create one before the second appointment. In this journal, they’ll likely record:
If the previous tests and exams don’t point to a diagnosis, the patient could undergo one of these procedures:
After a diagnosis is made, behavioral therapy is often the first urinary incontinence treatment for the elderly, which may involve:
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) — also referred to as pelvic floor rehabilitation — is a specialized treatment aimed at enhancing the strength, flexibility, and overall function of the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are particularly important because they help regulate bowel and bladder functions.[04]
This type of therapy is typically administered by a skilled physical therapist who specialize in PFPT training and is licensed by the American Physical Therapy Association. PFPT often includes manual therapy, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, behavioral education, and home exercise programs.
Pelvic floor therapy is used to address various pelvic floor disorders, including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and other conditions. It’s often recommended as a preliminary measure before invasive interventions, such as surgery, due to its high success rate.
The duration or frequency of pelvic floor muscle therapy sessions can vary based on seniors’ symptoms and responses to treatment. A thorough assessment by a pelvic floor physical therapist is typically conducted to create a tailored treatment plan that best aligns with the patient’s specific needs.
Medications are frequently used in combination with behavioral therapies. Here are some commonly prescribed options, according to the National Association for Continence (NAFC):[05]
The NAFC has even developed a full list of drugs used to treat elderly incontinence and other related conditions.
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In addition to medicinal treatments, these medical devices may be prescribed for women:
About 285,000 incontinence procedures are performed every year.[07] If other treatment methods don’t work, surgery may help.
The following are common surgical procedures for urinary incontinence:[08]
If your elderly loved one suffers from urinary incontinence, self-care can help avoid complications such as skin rashes, urine odors, and accidents.
Having the right products on hand will provide you and your loved one some peace of mind in urgent moments and ease the stress of incontinence care. Some helpful products to try include:
Here are some essential tips to ensure proper hygiene and safety when caring for an elderly loved one experiencing urinary incontinence:
If elderly incontinence is keeping your loved one isolated and unable to enjoy their favorite pastimes, talk to them about urinary incontinence treatment options and encourage them to see a doctor. With proper and timely treatment, your loved one will be able to enjoy life more fully.
Incontinence is among the many common reasons that older adults choose to move to an assisted living facility or seek other long-term care options. Assisted living communities provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), including toileting support. If you think an assisted living facility could be a positive shift for your loved one, reach out to one of our Senior Living Advisors to learn more about the benefits of senior living.
Is urinary incontinence a normal part of aging?
Urology Care Foundation. What is urinary incontinence?
Khandelwal, C. & Kistler, C. (2013). Diagnosis of urinary incontinence. American Family Physician.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health. (2021, February 22). Urinary incontinence.
Wallace, S., Miller, L., & Mishra, K. (2019). Pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women.
National Association for Continence. Medications for bladder and bowel health.
Cleveland Clinic. (2019, June 20). This tampon-like device stops your urinary incontinence: Exploring an available OTC option.
iData Research. (2019, May 21). Urinary incontinence statistics 2019: Over 285,000 procedures performed annually in the U.S.
United Kingdom National Health Service. (2019, November 7). Surgery and procedures: Urinary incontinence.
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