Tell someone who cares
A new national campaign, Tell someone who cares, is expected to draw attention to the plight of carers of people with incontinence.
The Continence Foundation’s chief executive, Barry Cahill, says support and recognition for the extraordinary contribution carers made to society is long overdue.
The Continence Foundation of Australia's Tell someone who cares campaign will begin during World Continence Week (22-28 June).
The campaign, supported by Carers Australia, will include the launch of new resources for carers of people with incontinence, such as a carer guidebook, dedicated web pages and short videos on the Continence Foundation website. The new resources will also outline the available support services, including the National Continence Helpline, which can assist with information and referrals to health and support services.
The Continence Foundation’s chief executive, Barry Cahill, says support and recognition for the extraordinary contribution carers made to society is long overdue.
“If we want people to be cared for in their own homes longer, then carers need to be better supported through resources and education, preparing people for the challenges they face and reassuring them help is available,” Mr Cahill says.
Carers Australia’s chief executive, Ara Cresswell, claims the involvement with the Continence Foundation’s campaign will have ongoing benefits for carers.
“Providing unpaid family and friend carers with information and practical advice can be vital to ensuring the sustainability of the caring relationship and to the health and wellbeing of both the carer and the person they care for,” Ms Cresswell says.
There are 2.7 million unpaid family and friend carers in Australia looking after the most vulnerable in our society, including about 140,000 who need help with bladder or bowel control.
The care needs of people with incontinence are reportedly much higher than those of others needing care. In 2009 there were nearly 73,000 primary carers looking after people with severe incontinence; the majority of these female (81%), most (73%) spending 40 or more hours each week caring, and more having their sleep interrupted (42%) than other primary carers.
There’s also a financial cost; the productivity loss to people who work unpaid as carers of people with incontinence is estimated to be $2.7 billion annually.
The National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66) is staffed from Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by continence nurse advisors who provide advice, referrals and resources to consumers, carers and health professionals. Further information is also available at continence.org.au
