Diagnostic assessment of geriatric urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence affects 15% to 30% of the population and 50% of those living in nursing homes. Care for incontinence is difficult because this condition is underreported by patients and underdiagnosed by physicians. This article describes the medical and nursing diagnostic assessment of urinary incontinence of geriatric populations, and the criteria for referral. Comprehensive review of urinary incontinence, including treatment, is available elsewhere. Although this article focuses on the assessment of urinary incontinence, the type of treatment being considered guides the scope of the evaluation, and therefore, treatment of incontinence is discussed.