Identifying incontinence and promoting continence in people living with dementia.

SERVICES for caregivers; OCCUPATIONAL roles; SOCIAL support; PROFESSIONAL employee training; AGE distribution; RISK assessment; DEMENTIA patients; GERIATRIC nursing; INFORMATION resources; URINARY incontinence; AGING; AUTONOMY (Psychology); NURSES; CONTINUING education of nurses; FECAL incontinence; DIGNITY; SENILE dementia

Why you should read this article: • To understand the causes and risk factors for incontinence in people living with dementia • To learn about practical strategies that can support people living with dementia and their family carers to manage incontinence • To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers). Urinary and faecal incontinence are more prevalent among older people but, like dementia, incontinence is not a normal or inevitable part of ageing. The number of people living with dementia who experience continence issues is likely to be underestimated because many people avoid reporting them as a result of embarrassment and stigma, or because they think incontinence is an inevitable symptom of dementia and that nothing can be done about it. Increased awareness and understanding of the relationship between dementia and incontinence is needed so that nurses can persuade people living with dementia and their family carers to discuss continence issues, assess their needs and provide support. There are several practical strategies that can reduce the incidence of incontinence, counter its negative effects and promote continence in people living with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]