Urinary incontinence in older women

Dr Lucy Fergus discusses urinary incontinence in the older women, focussing on the 80+ years. Lucy is a Geriatrician and Medical Director for Older Persons Health, Rehabilitation and Allied Health Services, Hawkes Bay Hospital. She also works privately at aging well- and offers private geriatric consultations.

Topics

Does the definition differ in this population?
How do you see women presenting?
Key questions that you ask when taking a history?
Polypharmacy in this group
Red flags and urgent referral
What examination should we be performing in our rooms?
Are bladder diaries useful?
General advice for the older woman
Stress incontinence
Urgency and OAB.

Take home messages

Ask about urinary incontinence
Have a good approach to diagnosis
Think about cognition and mobility
Ask about constipation
Care with new meds (esp. anti cholinergics - if using monitor carefully).

Resources

Bladder Retraining continence NZ
Pelvic Floor Training (Women) continence NZ
Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women overview NICE

Presenter

Dr Lucy Fergus

Geriatrician

To contact Lucy Click here.