Incontinence can affect people in many different ways such as:
- They may refuse to eat or drink to avoid needing the toilet
- Their mood may be affected if they are embarrassed by their incontinence. This may affect their family relationship and lead to social isolation and reduced self-esteem.
- They may be at increased risk of pressure sores, falls and urinary incontinence.
- Incontinence is associated with disability and increased risk of death after stroke and influences whether patients are discharged to their own home or to nursing homes or residential care homes. (Brittain et al 1998, Patel et al 2001, Brittain et al 2007, Williams et al 2012, John et al 2018).
Page last reviewed: 07 Sep 2021
