Can anyone advise on what incontinence nurses can do with elderly ladies?
DM is in her late eighties and has not really had any problems with this until fairly recently. A few months ago she had a fall and broke her arm, so was admitted to hospital, where she was effectively bed-bound whilst her arm was healing. This meant she had difficulty physically going to the toilet, and they catheterised her on and off. She also had a urine infection whilst in hospital.
To cut a long story short, she was discharged into a care home for 'convalescence' and further assessment, and is still there.
She's still struggling with urinary incontinence, which I think is because she can't physically get to the toilet in time (due to reduced mobility).
This week the care home told me they'd put in a referral for an incontinence nurse to come and assess her. I didn't know there was such a service for the elderly - I'd assumed they'd just say it's old age (although she was largely OK before the hospital stay).
I've now got my hopes up that she can be 'cured' or at least have some improvement. Am I being unrealistic? What can an incontinence nurse offer treatment-wise?