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Incontinence is a term used to describe loss of control over the bowels or bladder and this is not a disease, but a symptom. Incontinence can appear due to many different diseases and disorders including birth defects and can occur as a result of surgery or due to some kind of nerve damage, infection or certain changes associated with the process of aging. Incontinence occurs in children, women and men of all ages. Even the extent of this health problem can be different – in cases of urinary incontinence, from small and irregular dribbles to the occasional loss of bladder control or a total inability to hold urine.

Incontinence and the aging process

The aging process causes a number of changes in the urinary system that can lead to incontinence:

– reduced capacity of the bladder which leads to more frequent urges

– reduced bladder flexibility

– weakening of the detrusor – a smooth muscles located in the bladder – which prevents complete emptying

– increased urine volume due to the kidneys improper functioning

– decreased urethral closing pressure

– increased spontaneous contractions of detrusor muscle

– decreased ability to delay urination

However, despite the fact that this health problem occurs in many older men and women, urinary incontinence should not be considered to be a normal part of aging. Incontinence occurs due to a certain physical or/and mental cause that affects the retention of urine and emptying the bladder is not possible and this is in fact a health problem which can often be treated.

There are many elderly people who have to deal with the negative effects of incontinence. Professional health care has proven to be helpful for many patients and their families. A discreet and effective protection from incontinence plays a vital role when it comes to the reduction of the impact of health problems on a daily basis.

Achieving continence in elderly and/or disabled persons

Helpless older people are often in need of professional help with incontinence. It is clear that the main reasons for this occurrence are related to the aging process and its effect on the urinary system, but there are some other problems that contribute like dementia and immobility. Since older disabled people find hard to reach the toilet or find hard to tell someone that they have to urinate it is necessary to find help from professional agencies like home care agencies.