Nihon Ronen Igakkai zasshi. Japanese journal of geriatrics
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Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi · Jun 1999
Review[Pathophysiology of established urinary incontinence (UI) in the elderly and an ameliorative method for disuse syndrome including UI seen in the bed-ridden elderly--using prone position and its variations].
Multipathology is the physical characteristics of the elderly, and their established urinary incontinence (UI) is usually based on multiple causal diseases and types of UI. Decubitus voiding (urination and defecation) inevitably causes UI and fecal incontinence (FI). Difficulty in controlling UI and FI seen in bed-ridden elderly results in long-term use of diapers and indwelling catheters, which eventually leads to the progression of disuse syndrome and decline of ADL (activity of daily living). ⋯ These are not supine or Fowler (semi-reclining) positions, but normal sitting, or prone and its variation forward-tilting positions. The latter two positions, which ameliorate UI and FI in the bed-ridden elderly, have been found to improve all of the pathologies including the disuse syndrome as well. The Seikatsudai (Life rack), which provides a forward-tilting position, not only has such an effect, but also offers the possibility to make the bed-ridden elderly more independent in their lives.