Minnesota Medical and Mayo Clinic announced it will clinically test and bring to market technology to control and manage fecal incontinence, which can affect up to half of residents in a long-term care facility.

The condition is more prevalent in women, the elderly and those in a nursing home, the company said. The research and development agreement with Mayo Clinic was announced

In addition to consuming resources, those with fecal incontinence are often embarrassed, which can cause social isolation and depression.

“Hope is on the way,” Minnesota Medical President Anthony J. Conway told McKnight’s. The company broke ground three weeks ago on a building near Rochester, MN, and hopes to have FDA approval for its product by the end of 2016.