Perceptions and help‐seeking behaviours among community‐dwelling older people with urinary incontinence: A systematic integrative review

Abstract

Aim:To synthesize research evidence on perceptions and help-seeking behaviours in community-dwelling older people with urinary incontinence based on the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviours model.Background: Urinary incontinence is highly prevalent in community-dwelling older people, yet only a small proportion seek help from health professionals. Untreated urinary incontinence has a detrimental impact on older people's quality of life and distresses their caregivers.Design: Systematic integrative review.

Nursing assistants’ knowledge, attitudes and training needs regarding urinary incontinence in nursing homes: a mixed-methods study

“…Notably, mastery of UI-related knowledge and correct care concepts are the basis for providing effective UI care. It has been suggested that correct guidance and encouragement from health professionals are beneficial in encouraging older people to access timely treatment [ 32 ]. Another important finding is that NAs with longer work experience and higher educational backgrounds had higher UIKS scores.…”

Perceptions of primary health care nurses and general practitioners in the care of older people with urinary incontinence

“…Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common health issue that affects 30%-40% of community-dwelling older people globally (Suskind et al, 2022). However, UI is largely underreported and poorly managed among older people in primary care settings (Yan et al, 2022).…”

“…Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common health issue that affects 30%–40% of community‐dwelling older people globally (Suskind et al, 2022). However, UI is largely underreported and poorly managed among older people in primary care settings (Yan et al, 2022). Moreover, UI in older people is also associated with their chronic health conditions and managing these conditions is a strategy to prevent, reduce or contain UI (WHO, 2017).…”

How did the COVID‐19 pandemic affect urinary incontinence and its management in the nursing homes? A descriptive phenomenological study

“…It is estimated that only 20%–40% of NH residents receive behavioral interventions, mainly consisting of bladder training, prompted voiding, habit retraining and timed voiding 7 . According to the perceptions of community‐dwelling older people, more opportunities to access and gain help from skilled health professionals are necessary to improve UI management 8 . A quantitative study conducted after the first wave of COVID‐19 concluded that more interventions were necessary during isolation to prevent systemic decline in the elderly 3 .…”

“… 7 According to the perceptions of community‐dwelling older people, more opportunities to access and gain help from skilled health professionals are necessary to improve UI management. 8 A quantitative study conducted after the first wave of COVID‐19 concluded that more interventions were necessary during isolation to prevent systemic decline in the elderly. 3 However, qualitative research is an important approach to obtaining insights into poorly understood phenomena, 9 and in the scarce available evidence on the effects of the pandemic on UI, the opinions of healthcare professionals in the context of institutionalized older adults deserves.…”