Can incontinence improve

I have mild mixed bladder incontinence and was able to get a referral to a specialist nurse. First she did a physical check, then we talked about pelvic floor exercises, which I can do effectively, she reassured me, but I struggle to remember to do, so she set up a series of text messages three times a day to remind me. When I do them they certainly help a lot. So yes, it can improve.
The idea of bladder training was discussed but this does not work for me. If I delay too long I can hold it till I get in the bathroom but not until I have sat down!
When I had a prolonged cough in December and January it affected me badly, so I was glad when it eventually cleared up.

Thank you. I am not confident that she is drinking. Her carers and me leave jugs of water and juice for her. When I check again they are still pretty full, but, she tells me that she has drunk one of the jugs and refilled it herself. Frankly I don’t believe her and just hope we aren’t heading for another UTI.

There are many things that can affect incontinence, because there are different types of incontinence.

I don't know if it is possible right now due to the pandemic, but really, what I would suggest is that she see her provider to determine the kind of incontinence she has and to discuss her options. Some examples:

-Stress incontinence (when urine comes out as a result of movement, coughing, sneezing, etc.; this is very common in women and may occur due to obesity and childbirth)

-Urge incontinence (a sudden uncontrollable urge to urinate; this is most commonly managed with medication)

-Overflow incontinence (the bladder does not empty fully and the result is urine loss; this may be managed with medication changes and bladder training)

-Functional incontinence (this isn't due to a bladder problem directly; it occurs when a person has difficulty with activities such as getting to the bathroom, getting clothes off, etc.)

-Mixed incontinence (two or more issues)

A provider can help to determine the potential type of incontinence she has, and can also review her medications to see if they are contributing - some do. It's possible that there may be an incontinence clinic or service to which she can be referred.

Grannynannywanny is quite correct. It's very important to drink enough water, especially if your mother is on some types of medications. Not only can too little water affect the kidneys, it can cause dehydration, which can increase her risk for falls and delirium.

Betty65 another precautionary point to consider is if your Mum is drinking enough and actually producing a normal amount of urine. Can she reliably confirm this for you? Some elderly folk sometimes deliberately cut back on drinks to minimise the risk of “accidents “ This in turn can have a detrimental effect on kidneys when less urine will be produced.

I can understand an elderly person, who has just had an operation, or other mobility problems, being unable to get out of bed in time to use the toilet.
Maybe this isn't the kind of incontinence you mean Betty?

www.bladderandbowel.org/

Lots of useful info on this site

My Mum broke her pelvis when she was 89 and was catheterised in hospital for weeks, it was removed the morning she came home. She was incontinent afterwards and suffered from repeated UDIs and confusion. She experienced repeated episodes of incontinence, taking meds to clear it up, followed by dryness, followed by another bout of infection until the day she died.
I hope the drugs given to your mum have cured a long standing minor urinary infection and that she is now clear. I think its a really happy outcome for her. I understand that in older people there is none of the 'burning pain' we associate with a UDI which is why they're missed so frequently.
If I ever suffer serious incontinence I have told my daughter to make sure my GP checks for a UDI - that is if I don't ask myself.
I'm so pleased your Mum is clear, I bet she is too!

My mum 88 broke her hip last year and was very incontinent through the night, about 6 months later it started to improve and now it is only slight. She hasn’t had any UTI’s though.

If an antibiotic was prescribed for the UTI then maybe it cured an underlying problem.