Development of continence care system for the elderly in a community.

Abstract

The majority of fragile elderly individuals, such as the elderly in institutions for the elderly and those in home care use diaper or indwelling urethral catheters without careful considera- tion. Lower urinary tract dysfunction is hardly life threatening, but it impairs the dignity and quality of life of individuals. Inappropriate urinary management of elderly individuals leads to adverse changes in immobilization and dementia, and would ultimately render the disease untreatable. In order to build up the urinary management care system in a community, spe- cialist team collaboration among primary care physicians, urologists, nurses, care-workers, care-attendants, etc. is mandatory. We report our efforts for improving the urinary manage- ment for elderly individuals coordinating with government officials, residents, and university and suggest the important factors to promote urinary care system in a community.