Geriatric Rehabilitation: Nursing Interventions and Outcomes Focusing on Urinary Function and Knowledge of Medications

Abstract

This article describes the nursing interventions that focus on urinary function and medication knowledge of older adults in a geriatric rehabilitation program. The authors review the interventions needed to achieve bladder retraining and self‐administration of medication and consider what predicts urinary function and knowledge of medication administration in older adults. The descriptive study included 251 consecutive patients who were admitted into a geriatric rehabilitation unit. An evaluation of urinary function was done on admission and based on patient need to (a) maintain urinary function, (b) decrease urinary incontinence, and (c) resolve urinary retention. All patients received routine medication teaching from admission to discharge during each daytime administration of medication. From admission to discharge, there was a decrease in incidences of urinary incontinence and urinary retention and an increase in knowledge of medication regimens. Although the study was descriptive, the findings suggested that nursing interventions in geriatric rehabilitation may decrease urinary incontinence and retention and improve knowledge of medication regimens in this population.