Urinary incontinence in the elderly.

The incontinent elderly face many difficulties from a problem that can have a multiplicity of causes. Etiologic factors of incontinence may be medical, psychologic or social. The cortical inhibitory stimuli that prevent involuntary voiding tend to decline with age. When carefully measured, some degree of uninhibited neurogenic bladder is often found in the elderly. Nonetheless, incontinence does not necessarily result. Precipitating factors, often emotional, determine the outcome.