What is an expectation of a health care provider regarding a patient with urinary incontinence?

A health care provider's expectation for a patient with urinary incontinence is to have a plan for regular toileting. This reflects an understanding of the condition and underscores the importance of managing incontinence through structured care strategies.

Regular toileting can help reduce the incidence of incontinence episodes and enhance the patient’s comfort and quality of life. By implementing a scheduled toileting plan, health care providers can support patients in maintaining better control over their urinary functions, even if complete control is not achievable. This proactive approach can also help prevent additional complications related to incontinence, such as skin irritation or urinary tract infections.

In contrast, expectations such as complete control over urination or unchanged bladder functions do not realistically account for the complexities of incontinence and may set patients up for disappointment. Additionally, the notion of a patient being able to self-manage all aspects of care may not be appropriate for all individuals dealing with urinary incontinence, especially considering varying degrees of severity and individual circumstances that may necessitate assistance and support.