Incontinence Specialist Program Beyond the Bathroom: Taking Control of Incontinence
By Christopher Acquafredda, OTD, OTR/L, Barbara Montgomery, MS, OTR/L, and Heather Barry, OTR/L
Incontinence is often misunderstood, stigmatized, and quietly endured, yet it affects millions and can significantly impact quality of life. At FOX, we believe it’s time to move the conversation beyond the bathroom and into the realm of proactive care, education, and empowerment. The FOX Incontinence Specialist Program is designed to help individuals take control of their symptoms, restore confidence, and re-engage in the activities they love. This blog explores what incontinence really is, why it matters, and how early intervention and specialized support can make a lasting difference.
What Is It?
Urinary incontinence (UI) is the loss of bladder control that results in the leakage of urine. While nearly half experience some form of UI (Nygaard, 2008), it is not a normal part of aging.
UI typically falls into one of three categories:
- Stress Incontinence: Leakage during coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercise, often due to pelvic floor muscle weakness.
- Urgency Incontinence (Overactive Bladder): A sudden, strong urge to urinate, sometimes caused by premature bladder muscle contractions.
- Nocturia: Waking up frequently at night to urinate, which disrupts sleep.
Additional types include:
- Mixed Incontinence: A combination of stress and urgency.
- Double Incontinence: Involves both urinary and bowel leakage.
- Insensible Incontinence: Leakage occurs without awareness.
- Retention: Difficulty or inability to pass urine.
UI occurs when the muscles that control the bladder don’t work in harmony. The diaphragm, lungs, rectal muscles, pelvic floor, and bladder all play a role in maintaining pressure and control. Weakness, poor coordination, or overload in these systems can lead to leakage.
What Should I Look For?
Incontinence can be difficult to identify, especially when individuals feel embarrassed. In fact, fewer than half of patients report their symptoms to a healthcare provider (Fonda & DeBeau, 2005).
Common signs and experiences include:
- Social withdrawal or avoidance
- Planning activities around bathroom access
- Rushing to the bathroom
- Dehydration
- High costs for incontinence products
For Caregivers and Family Members:
Watch for these indicators:
- Fatigue
- Increased fall risk
- Frequent use of incontinence supplies
- Depression
- Skin breakdown
For Clinicians:
Be alert to:
- Strong urine odor
- Frequent interruptions during therapy
- Fatigue
- Soiled clothing or linens
- Medication use related to bladder control
Early identification by caregivers and clinicians is key to effective treatment.
Why Incontinence Matters
Incontinence presents physical, emotional, and social challenges that are often overlooked. Many individuals report frustration and fatigue from disrupted sleep and frequent bathroom trips. Fear of accidents can lead to isolation and reduced participation in meaningful activities.
The financial burden is also significant—ongoing costs for pads, underpads, medications, and devices add up quickly.
Increased Fall Risk:
- Even one weekly episode of urge incontinence increases fall risk.
- Nocturia (waking twice or more nightly to urinate) further elevates that risk.
- Getting up three or more times per night dramatically increases fall risk (Soliman, 2016).
Increased Hospitalization Risk:
- Skin irritation and breakdown
- Infections
How Can the FOX Incontinence Specialist Program Help?
Urinary incontinence may be common, but it is not a normal part of aging. With the right support, education, and treatment, individuals can regain confidence, improve their quality of life, and return to the activities that matter most. At FOX, we’re here to guide you through that journey—compassionately and conveniently. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or provider, recognizing the signs and seeking help is the first step toward lasting change.
If you or someone you care for is experiencing symptoms of incontinence, we invite you to connect with our specialists and explore how our telehealth program can provide support from the privacy & comfort of home.
Our dedicated incontinence specialists help individuals regain comfort, control, and confidence through:
- One-on-one care with Adult Bladder Control and Urinary Incontinence certified therapists
- A comprehensive program tailored to the individual
- Use of validated assessment tools such as the ICIQ-UI
- Patient and Caregiver Education focused on:
- Breathing Techniques – Teaching methods like diaphragmatic breathing to improve pelvic floor coordination and reduce urgency.
- Pelvic Floor Strengthening and Coordination – Exercises and strategies to build strength and improve control of the muscles that support bladder function.
- Nervous System Regulation – Techniques to calm the body and reduce bladder sensitivity, helping manage urgency and frequency.
- Safe Movement and Daily Activities – Guidance on positioning, mobility, and safety during everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and walking.
- Lifestyle Strategies – Personalized tips for hydration, diet, routines, and habits that support bladder health and reduce symptoms.
Incontinence may be common, but it shouldn’t be accepted as a normal part of aging. With the right support, resources, and compassionate care, older adults can confidently take back control of their bodies and restore their independence. The FOX Incontinence Specialist Program offers a personalized, evidence-based approach that empowers individuals with confidence and control.
References
- Fonda D, DeBeau CE, et al. Incontinence in the frail elderly. In: Abrams P, Cardozo L, Khoury S, Wein A, eds. Third International Consultation on Incontinence, 3rd Edition. Plymouth, UK: Health Publication Ltd; 2005.
- Nygaard, I., et al. (2008). Prevalence of symptomatic pelvic floor disorders in US women. JAMA, 300(11), 1311–1316.
- Soliman Y, Meyer R, Baum N. Falls in the Elderly Secondary to Urinary Symptoms. Rev Urol. 2016;18(1):28-32. PMID: 27162509; PMCID: PMC4859925.