Care Needs of Older Adults With Urinary Incontinence: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: To explore care requirements of older adults with urinary incontinence (UI) and contributing factors. Method: This cross-sectional study used the Older Adults Urinary Incontinence Care Needs Inventory to survey participants with UI in three large-scale tertiary hospitals located in Guangzhou City, China, from January 2023 to November 2023. Statistical analyses, including analysis of variance, t tests, correlation analyses, and linear regression models, were conducted to assess factors influencing participants' care needs. Results: A total of 530 older adults with UI participated in the survey and mean standardized score for overall care needs was 78.65 ( SD = 5.01), with mean scores for each dimension ranging from 70.88 ( SD = 10.55) for social participation needs to 82.45 ( SD = 7.11) for health education needs. Factors that were found to influence incontinence care needs in older adults included age, literacy level, number of leaks, and type of disease (F = 37.07, adjusted R 2 = 0.290, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Comprehensive care for older adults with UI, encompassing physiological, psychological, and social aspects, is crucial. It is essential to tailor care to individual needs and characteristics, taking into account factors, such as age and education, to ensure effective care. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50 (5), 43–49.]