Sometimes the person cannot find the toilet, cannot undo clothing in time, or does not recognise the urge. Urinary infections, constipation, diabetes and medication also cause it and are treatable.
A signed or brightly coloured toilet door, easy clothing and regular prompted trips prevent a great deal of it.
Why it matters
It is frequently the moment a family decides they cannot manage alone, and much of it has a fixable cause worth checking first.
Sources
Where to check this, and where to read more. All external and all authoritative.
- National Institute on Aging: Managing toileting problems
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Incontinence where you live
The local guide on this, for each city we cover.
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Buffalo, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Memphis, TN
- Milwaukee, WI
- New York, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Tucson, AZ