The inhibiting factors of adaptation to urinary incontinence in community-dwelling older adult women: A qualitative study.

• Urinary incontinence creates both physical and mental burdens that need adaptation. • Identifying barriers is critical first step to building successful adaptation. • Being neglected is a main barrier for older women in adapting to urinary incontinence. • Beliefs formed in older women led them to remain silent about urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence affects the physical, psychological, social and well-being of older adult women and requires adaptation. This study aimed to explain the inhibiting factors of adaptation to urinary incontinence in community-dwelling older adult women. A qualitative content analysis approach was adopted. Participants were 15 older women with urinary incontinence, three family members, and three healthcare team members. Data were collected by individual, in-depth semistructured interviews and analysed using the Graneheim and Lundman approach. The data analysis yielded the theme of neglecting urinary incontinence and the older adult , with four categories of "s silence-inducing beliefs", "worthlessness for the family", "non-adaptation of urban spaces", and "deficiencies in the healthcare service structure". Elucidating the inhibiting factors for older women's adaptation to urinary incontinence will lead to a change in the attitude of social policymakers and healthcare officials. This changes will then facilitate the establishment and adjustment of the necessary infrastructure to overcome these barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]