Improve your bottom line

By Yasmin Noone

The Continence Foundation of Australia (CFA) has launched a nationwide campaign to get the message across to the community that continence issues are not a natural part of ageing and can be prevented, cured or better managed.
 
The 12-month long campaign, Healthy Bladder and Bowel Habits, features a Youtube video – Don’t let incontinence hold you back–  a commercial which aired on two Channel 7 television stations, an advertorial on the Ch 10 daytime chat show, The Circle, and a series of activities.

Launched during World Continence Week in late-June, the campaign highlights the need for people to make bladder and bowel health a priority, to both manage and prevent continence problems.

CEO of CFA, Barry Cahill, has emphasised the importance of informing older Australians of the facts and dispelling the myths about bowel and bladder control, both in the community and aged care sector.

This, he added, is especially important given the size of the problem in Australia.

Mr Cahill estimated that around 40 per cent of people aged over 75 are affected by incontinence.

“It is one of the biggest health issues within our community, but one we rarely talk about,” Mr Cahill said.

“Millions of Australians are living with incontinence but most people are reluctant to discuss the problem with anyone, including their GP.
 
“…While it is true that ageing causes changes to the lower urinary tract, this does not necessarily lead to incontinence.

“It is vital to understand and treat the underlying health issues that are causing incontinence.”

Incontinence is one of the principal reasons for entry to an aged care residential facility.

And, Mr Cahill said, while the Department of Health and Ageing’s National Continence Program provides funding for health promotion and education programs, “it is up to individual facilities to manage the issues on a micro level”.

“What is vital from the Continence Foundation’s perspective, is that people working in the aged care sector are aware of services such as ours, which can support them to better manage clients, either through advice from our National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66), our free resources, or by attending our educational courses to upskill people working in this area.”

CFA believes that around 70 per cent of people affected by incontinence do not discuss the issue with anyone, including their GP, while around 60 to 70 per cent of people affected can be cured or better managed.

“Talking about bladder and bowel health and raising awareness of the issue should be the responsibility of all health professionals.

“Understanding incontinence and recognising that it can be prevented, cured or better managed benefits residents and clients in the aged care sector by helping them to regain control.

“Medical professionals are integral in identifying those at risk and asking the right questions so they can refer their patients to appropriate continence services.

“Making bladder and bowel health a part of our everyday conversation will also help to destigmatise the issue in the community, and empower people who are experiencing issues to seek help.”

Management of incontinence has been shown to consume a large part of nursing staff time.

According to CFA, the health issue also impacts a person’s self-esteem, motivation, dignity and independence; lowers a person’s productivity and length of participation in the workforce; and impacts on social and volunteer activity in the community.

Incontinence is more prevalent than asthma – more than 2 million people are incontinent in Australia – anxiety disorders (2.3 million) and arthritis (3.1 million).

In 2010, the total financial cost of incontinence was estimated to be $42.9 billion – or $66.7 billion including the cost of burden of disease; the total productivity loss due to incontinence was $34.1 billion; and the opportunity cost of informal (unpaid) care provided by loved ones to those with incontinence was estimated to be $2.7 billion.

Mr Cahill said that given a quarter of the population lives with continence problems, and the enormous social and financial costs associated with the issue, bladder and bowel health can no longer be ignored by the community, health professionals or governments.

“There are many challenges associated with incontinence and the need to prioritise continued funding into the prevention, treatment and management of this frequently dismissed condition.

“This is particularly important given the projected increase in the prevalence of incontinence – 6.5 million people by 2030 – and the growth of our ageing
population.”

For more information about any of the foundation’s campaign or for a Healthy Bladder and Bowel Habits brochure, go to www.continence.org.au