Urinary has a wide range of potential causes regardless of age, but it becomes more likely to affect us the older we get. Urinary incontinence in older people is more likely if you suffer from certain diseases, have a family history of the condition, or have other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
As we age the muscles in and around our bladder are more likely to lose tone, which means they are weaker. The bladder may not squeeze so well, and so it might not fully empty. A muscle called the internal sphincter, which acts to ‘open’ and ‘close’ the bladder, may not close properly leading to elderly incontinence.
With age, the bladder’s capacity generally drops, and may only hold half as much urine as it did when we were younger. This means that the reflex to empty the bladder is triggered when it’s closer to being full, giving an older adult less warning time to get to the toilet.
The kidneys may not absorb water back into the body as efficiently with ageing, leading to more urine being produced – especially at night. So, it’s not unusual for an older adult to need the toilet once or twice a night.
Changes in women’s bodies during menopause can also increase the risk of urinary incontinence.
Older adults are more at risk of urinary tract infections, which can make urge incontinence more likely.
As well as these common factors, older adults are also susceptible to other conditions that can make incontinence more likely:
To treat in older adults effectively, it is essential to understand the exact cause.
Start by talking to a doctor with as much information as possible to hand (like medical history, and any medicines currently being taken) to get a proper diagnosis.
After a consultation, your doctor can recommend the urinary incontinence treatment most suited to you. Some common recommendations to help treat incontinence in all adults include:
Depending on the root cause of incontinence, there are more specific types of treatment. For example, incontinence associated with the , and caused by changes in levels of hormones, can be treated with different forms of oestrogen (such as creams and vaginal suppositories).
It is important to talk to your doctor before making any changes to medication.
The product you need for will depend on the severity of incontinence and its cause. TENA has a wide product range of pants, , and bedsheets available for moderate to heavy in both men's, women's, and unisex designs.
To learn more about incontinence in the older adult, browse the TENA ageing and incontinence section.
For more information on causes and how to manage incontinence hygienically, check out our incontinence and hygiene article.
If you’re struggling to determine what might be causing in you or a loved one, visit our Types of Incontinence section. Here, you can learn about some of the most common causes and types of incontinence in the elderly, so you can better understand the condition.
Below are professional tips to help you deal with her or his specific type.
