Older Women With Urinary Dysfunction Tend To Prefer To Live With The Problem Than Undergo Treatment

Pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD) are common among elderly women, but little is known about how this group views quality of life and PFD care. In the February 2008 issue of Urologic Nursing, Katharine K. O'Dell, Cynthia Jacelon and Abraham N. Morse discuss how frail, elderly women living in residential facilities feel PFD affects their quality of life and outline their preferences for care.


The authors say many frail, elderly women feel the discomfort of being assessed and treated for PFD outweighs the discomfort of living with the symptoms, even if their quality of life is improved with treatment. O'Dell and co-authors suggest caregivers intervene more often and clearly define how interventions would change the patient's quality of life while also valuing the patient's preferences for care. They say future research should explore models of care and patient-centered treatment options for this unique group.


"I'd Rather Just Go On as I Am" - Pelvic Floor Care Preferences of Frail, Elderly Women in Residential Care

Katharine K. O'Dell, PhD, RN, CNM; Cynthia Jacelon, PhD, RN, CRRN-A; Abraham N. Morse, MD

Urologic Nursing; February 2008

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The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates is a national, non-profit professional membership association with over 3,000 members and annual revenues of $1.5 million. SUNA derives its income from membership dues (only $60), conference registration fees, exhibits, advertising, grants, and the sale of educational products.


SUNA publishes a professional, peer-reviewed bi-monthly journal (Urologic Nursing Journal) and a bi-monthly newsletter (Uro-Gram). SUNA establishes the scope and standards of urologic nursing practice and the scope and standards of advanced urologic nursing practice. SUNA provides scholarships, grants and awards to deserving nurses and other health care professionals.


SUNA supports and promotes the certification of urologic nurses and associates by providing educational preparation for the examinations offered which lead to certification in three areas.


SUNA provides a variety of opportunities for participation including local chapters, task forces and Special Interest Groups (SIGS) in five major subspecialty areas.


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