Abstract

Urinary incontinence is a common symptom after stroke and affects between 32% and 79% of patients. The National Sentinel Audit report by the Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party (2008a) indicates that urinary incontinence is better managed in designated stroke units, rather than in general medical wards. This literature review explores the causes of urinary incontinence after stroke and examines pertinent issues for rehabilitation practice. The literature showed that nursing staff attribute their negative attitudes towards patients with incontinence to a lack of education specific to continence assessment and management. Although education often focuses on containment of incontinence, rather than continence promotion, continence assessment is key to the development of the individual's continence promotion plan.