Knowing someone cares when ‘nature calls’. Taree
4 August 2009
- Continence Awareness Week, August 2 to 8 -
Nearly 4 million Australians experience bladder and bowel weakness. Common signs and symptoms include leakage from the bowel and bladder, constipation, toilet urgency (a sudden need to rush to the toilet), and frequency (having to visit the toilet too often).
Knowing someone else cares when ‘nature calls’ is vital when being cared for with bladder or bowel problems, but more so when you are the one providing that care for a family member or friend.
The focus of this year’s Continence Awareness Week (August 2-8) is on those people who provide care for someone with incontinence.
Taree-based Continence Advisor Helen Pursch said it was important for carers to know that help is available, and that they needn’t feel isolated.
“Carers of family members or friends with incontinence need care too – as do their bladder and bowel,” Ms Pursch said.
“Based on 2003 data, carers who were the primary person in managing incontinence for a family member or friend spent more hours per week providing care compared to those caring for someone without incontinence.
"Carers can also be socially isolated because they have to carefully think of everything they need to do and when they have to take their dependent out they have to plan exactly where they go to negotiate toilets and care needs.
“These carers also reported a decrease in their physical and emotional wellbeing. Incontinence adds to the strain of caring – physically, financially, mentally and emotionally.
“Many people are not aware they are not the only ones with this problem because it's a taboo subject which people won't admit to, yet, in reality there are millions of Australians of all ages and both genders who have the same problems,” Ms Pursch explained.
Research shows than only about one third of people experiencing incontinence even mention it to their doctor or any health professional.
Incontinence, though not life threatening, is life crippling because people with incontinence problems tend to socially isolate themselves because of embarrassment.
What help is available for carers?
- Community members can phone Taree Community Health and ask for the Continence Intake Officer, who can arrange an appointment at either Taree (available twice a week), Forster (available weekly) and Gloucester. A clinic is also held at Hawks Nest every six weeks. Ph: (02) 6592 9315.
- Free expert advice is available by calling the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066. The Helpline is a confidential service staffed by continence nurses, who provide free information, advice on products and funding schemes and referrals to the nearest continence clinic.
- Financial help is available when purchasing continence products. The use of continence products, particularly over long term, proves very costly, placing pressure on the household budget. Funding schemes are available at both the federal and state level. For details go to: www.continence.org.au
- A National Public Toilet Map is available to help you take a short or long trip by knowing the location of a public toilet nearest you. The toilet map can be accessed via to internet or mobile phones with web browser functions so you can access information on public toilet while you are out and about. Go to: www.toiletmap.gov.au
(HNE-1947)
Contact: Carisa Green
Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183