Urinary incontinence is common among the elderly, especial older women. It is often caused by menopause, surgery, stroke, or excess weight. But sudden urinary incontinence in elderly women or men who have not had a history of the problem, may indicate declining health.

"This type of incontinence may be a precursor to frailty and should offer clues to caregivers about how and when to treat their elderly patients," said Toni P. Miles, M.D., Ph.D., of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Anonio. 

People who reach old age without incontinence or frailty and suddenly develop incontinence may be experiencing something specific, perhaps neurological, and may need to be treated differently from people who develop incontinence at an earlier age.