Reasons for Urinary Incontinence in the Elderly

Urinary incontinence can be an embarrassing problem. When it occurs in an elderly person, she might suffer in silence rather than tell someone about it. Depending on the reason for the incontinence, her doctor can recommend treatment options and management strategies.

Physical Reasons

• Physical reasons for urinary incontinence in an elderly person include the weakening of muscles that support the bladder and urethra as he grows older. If he has arthritis or trouble walking quickly, he could be physically incapable of reaching the bathroom before losing bladder control.

Psychological Reasons

• If an elderly person has developed dementia, she might not recognize the sensation of needing to urinate. Her bladder will fill and then overflow, leading to incontinence.

Significance

• More than 13 million adults in the United States experience urinary incontinence. The majority of these people are elderly.

Treatment

• Urinary incontinence in the elderly that occurs because of weakened muscles can be treated with Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles. A man can urinate on a schedule to avoid letting his bladder fill, reducing leaks. Incontinence can also be treated surgically.

Considerations

• Absorbent undergarments are available to catch bladder leaks, which can help an elderly person manage urinary incontinence while seeking treatment.