Urinary incontinence in the elderly. Establishing a cause may allow a cure.

BACKGROUND

As people age, urinary incontinence becomes more common. It is socially isolating and is often a factor in the move to residential care.

OBJECTIVE

This article highlights the causes of incontinence in the elderly.

DISCUSSION

With careful assessment, many elderly people can be cured, and the majority significantly helped. The implications of this for social and psychological health and the impact on the health and welfare dollar are considerable.