Summary
Urinary incontinence can be a debilitating problem
for our elderly patients either in the community or in
an in-patient setting. Any effort to cure or improve
this problem has benefits that reach far beyond the
clinical realm. Investigations and treatments must be
chosen carefully to best help patients (beneficence)
and avoid unnecessary harm (non-maleficence)9.
Physicians should be aware of the iatrogenic causes
of incontinence and work towards preventing them.
Medications used should be reviewed for drug
interactions and side effects and used in lower doses,
if possible. Catheters inserted in the acute care setting
must be properly managed in a sterile manner and
discontinued as soon as possible. With proper
management improvement or restoration of urinary
continence can significantly improve the quality of
life in geriatric patients.