Outcomes of Physical Therapist-Led Urinary Health and Fall Risk Education for Older Adults

This study explored the impact of physical therapist (PT)-led education on urinary incontinence (UI) and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults. Thirty adults aged 60 and older, referred from senior community centers, participated in a prospective pilot study. Participants received a 1-hour PT-led educational session in the home environment focusing on UI risk mitigation, including exercise, dietary irritants, and environmental modifications. The intervention led to statistically significant improvements in confidence across all areas, with participant identified key learning outcomes related to UI exercises (90%), dietary irritants (52%), and general UI education (41%). This study demonstrates that PTs, even without specialized pelvic health certification, can positively influence older adults' confidence in managing UI and its related risks, which may reduce fall risk. The results highlight the potential of PT-led education to improve older adults' management of UI and prevent falls.