World Continence Week 2022 (20-26 June) is a great chance to start conversations about an issue affecting many millions of Australians. And as we’ve just seen Men’s Health Week recognised, we’re shining a light on male incontinence, sharing resources and product information.
The Continence Foundation of Australia reports that incontinence affects 1 in 10 Australian men and boys (more than 1.3 million).
One of the issues the Foundation is hoping to address is the lack of bins in male public toilets for disposal of continence products. It says this lack of bins
‘leaves men having to carry used products with them or feel stressed about how they’ll throw them out. A lack of options stops men with incontinence from going out to exercise, shop and simply enjoy life.’
They have a campaign that everyone can support, called BINS4Blokes. It’s calling on all agencies that provide toilet facilities to join the BINS4Blokes campaign and install incontinence product disposal bins in male toilets.
‘Everybody should have access to a comfortable and discreet way to dispose of incontinence pads and pants,’ the Foundation said.
You can add your voice to BINS4Blokes campaign by visiting this site.
The Continence Foundation of Australia has a wealth of information and resources on its website here.
For many people in the ParaQuad community, managing continence is a part of their everyday lives.
Coloplast Australia runs free bladder and bowel clinics across Australia, with two in Tasmania, that are available to both Coloplast and non-Coloplast product users.
Coloplast says it can help in the following areas:
-Teaching, training, and review of the use of intermittent catheters (for bladder emptying issues) and transanal irrigation (for bowel incontinence and constipation)
-Product demonstrations and sampling of intermittent catheters, drainage/leg bags and sheaths/condom drainage
-Pre-planning and review support for NDIS participants using intermittent catheters, indwelling catheters, sheaths, drainage bags or bowel products. We are unable to assist with reviews of pad usage
Its Tasmania clinics are run by Coloplast Clinical Nurse Advisor Sara Vella, who has more than 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse.
Sara has expanded clinical knowledge in Spinal, Community and Continence Care. She takes pride in working collaboratively with individuals, families and Health Care Professionals regarding bladder and bowel management of neurogenic conditions, such as Spinal Cord Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis and Spina Bifida.
Coloplast offers face-to-face appointments in Hobart and Launceston, as well as virtual appointments. To book into your free consultation, click the link and fill out the form. A member of the Coloplast team will be in touch shortly: http://coloplast.to/pqtcc
Note: Coloplast would always recommend that you seek assistance from your own specialist continence nurse if you have one prior to enquiring with our service as they will know your situation better.
And with travel becoming more common again, we thought we’d share some information from our friends at Hollister.
Their VaPro Plus Pocket No Touch Intermittent Catheter is designed to be easy to use and discrete, allowing for catheterisation at home or on the go. Take a look at all the details here.
Do you have questions about intermittent catheters?
Hollister has a service that you can access, called Secure Start.
Hollister says, ‘To support your journey, you will be matched with a dedicated Secure Start Representative who will work with you to ensure you get the support you need, including help with finding the right products, staying focused on your health and wellbeing, identifying product supplier options and providing additional related information.