Urinary incontinence: behavioral modification therapy in older adult.

Urinary incontinence is common in the elderly population;however, less than half the people who have this problem are examined or treated. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research recommends behavioral interventions before other forms of treatment in patients who are diagnosed with stress, urge, or mixed incontinence after a basic evaluation. Behavioral treatments are safe, effective, and low risk and have no documented side effects. They also can be used as an adjunct to other therapies, such as pharmacologic and surgical interventions.