Managing urinary incontinence - A common geriatric problem

Only three drugs are proved by controlled studies to be efficacious in treating urinary incontinence in the elderly: estrogen, imipramine, and oxybutynin. A daily bladder record is the basis for teaching bladder retraining. The patient begins by voiding at 2-hour intervals; this alone may overcome incontinence. By gradually increasing the interval, the patient may progress from incapacitating incontinence to acceptable continence.