Some people assume that if you are elderly and suffering with incontinence, then the only treatments available are self-care products such as incontinence pads. But whilst these can be useful at moments, especially to help improve day-to-day confidence, there are many other options available. First of all, you can try pelvic floor exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control the release of urine. Even if you are not particularly active, this doesn’t mean you can’t try these easy exercises. They can be done when you are sitting down watching TV, or lying down in bed. They only take a few minutes a day – take a look at our resources on how men and women can do them correctly here.

In addition, there is a wide variety of medications, mechanical treatments (such as catheters and pessaries), and surgical interventions that can greatly improve the symptoms of urinary incontinence in the elderly. One example is sacral neuromodulation, which involves placing a small device into the lower back, next to the sacral nerve. The sacral nerve is involved in emptying the bladder, so by stimulating this with an electrical current, it is possible to restore the bladder to a healthier function. Whatever treatment you think may suit you or the person you care for, the first step is discussing your symptoms with a healthcare professional. Find out more detail on possible treatments and then get some advice on starting the conversation.