Continence and
Personal Care
Dr Irmina Nahon,
works as a pelvic floor
physiotherapist in
private practice.
Continence:
more than a
‘wee’ problem
Continence is something that can be
taken for granted, but when control
over the bladder or the bowel is not
good, life can be majorly changed.
Dr Irmina Nahon, Assistant Professor
at the University of Canberra, has
been helping people manage
bladder and bowel function for
more than 15 years. She shares her
expertise with Link.
O
ne young man who done to improve or manage the damaged his spinal cord situation. Continence or pelvic floor bladder and bowel care, look for
once told me: “I can physiotherapists and continence therapists who have done special
manage my wheelchair and get nurse specialists are specially trained training in this field. Not every
around, and everyone understands to assess and treat bladder and physiotherapist is comfortable talking
that I can’t stand up. However, when bowel function. about this.
the carer doesn’t come in to help me
The Australian Physiotherapy
with my bowel routine in the morning, pelvic floor exercises, but treatment Association ‘find a physio’ website
I can’t use my wheelchair to go out. If can be much wider. I advise on (https://choose.physio/findaphysio)
I soil myself the clean up is enormous, developing good bladder and bowel can point you in the direction
and the smell seems to stay in the habits, toilet training for children (and of someone with post graduate
fabric of the chair. And no one really sometimes adults) with special needs, qualifications who will do a careful
understands that!” and developing routines that allow assessment and talk to you about
increased independence away from your options.
Incontinence is a hidden
disability that affects many. One in
three women and one in eight men
the toilet.
Continence nurse specialists
The Continence Foundation of
Australia can help you to locate your
have a problem with urine leaking can help with bowel management nearest continence advisor as well as
or bowels causing soiling. These where due to neurological damage providing many resources. You can
numbers are much higher in people the bowel does not empty normally. call them on the National Continence
with disability. They also have advice on continence Helpline on 1800 330 066. Help is
aids and skin care, and also work with available!
People do not like talking about
46
Most women have heard about
When looking for help to manage
it. But once they do, they find occupational therapists, dieticians www.choose.physio
out that there is a lot that can be and sometimes social workers. www.continence.org.au
continence and personal care
linkonline.com.au