Care dependency and management of urinary incontinence in nursing homes: A descriptive study

Abstract

Aim To explore the differences in managing urinary incontinence in residents in nursing homes aged 65 years or older in relation to their care dependency. Design The 2015 data of the Dutch annual independent (Inter)national Prevalence Measurement of Quality of Care of Maastricht University were used. The design involved a cross‐sectional, multi‐centre point prevalence measurement in hospitals, care homes, and home care. Methods Secondary data analysis on the data provided by care home organizations. Results In the care independent group, the solely use of absorbing material was the mostly applied intervention. In the group of care dependent persons, the combination of absorbing material with toilet on set times and on individual basis was the most common approach. Conclusion The outcome of this study indicated that the management of urinary incontinence in residents in nursing homes differs depending on their care dependency. Impact Caregivers in nursing homes should be aware of preferences of residents regarding the management of their urinary incontinence. Researchers should investigate criteria used by caregivers and care receivers into the decision of the application of interventions for urinary incontinence.

Path analysis of urinary incontinence in older adults living in nursing homes

“…7 Furthermore, Huion et al observed significant differences between dependent and independent older adults regarding UI. 5 Dependent individuals lost a large amount of urine daily, while independent individuals lost tiny amounts, such as drops and splashes, 3 to 4 times a month.…”

“…2,3 Abrams et al 4 describe involuntary loss of urine as a manifestation triggered by morphological changes in the bladder observed with aging, such as decreases in bladder elasticity and ureteric jet velocity, leading to uninhibited detrusor contractions. [4][5][6] In addition, pelvic floor disorders may cause incontinence, such as contractile dysfunction and involuntary reflexes of the external anal sphincter. 6 UI has multiple predisposing factors and outcomes, meaning that interventions in this condition demand adequate assessment, planning, and multifactorial action.…”

“…6 UI has multiple predisposing factors and outcomes, meaning that interventions in this condition demand adequate assessment, planning, and multifactorial action. 5 In the setting of older adults living in nursing homes, UI has received greater attention from researchers with the aim of documenting the health profile of this population and developing interventions. Unlike older adults living in the community, those living in nursing homes are more dependent and frailer, presenting greater clinical complexity.…”

Development and psychometric testing of burn inpatient nursing dependency assessment scale

“…Nursing dependency is defined as the amount of care provided by the nurse that can be reflected by the total nursing time spent with the patient. Studies have shown that patients who require high workload from the nursing staff are those with high dependency on care in ICU, emergency and rehabilitation units, and nursing homes (Ferreira et al, 2017; Hatfield et al, 2003; Huion et al, 2021; Varndell et al, 2016). Nursing dependency is a patient classification system (PCS) currently used as an indirect tool for determining care hours according to the complexity and amount of care that a patient requires (Ferreira et al, 2017; Hatfield et al, 2003; Helmer, 1986).…”

Prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated factors in nursing homes: a multicentre cross-sectional study

“…The last Consultation of the International Continence Society states that behavioural strategies with or without exercises to improve mobility and toileting result in modest short-term improvements in UI among NH residents [ 6 ]. However, the most frequent management strategy used in the NH setting (and sometimes the only strategy) is the use of absorbent materials [ 1 , 26 ].…”