|
|
Incontinence and the Role of the Parish Nurse
Incontinence is a topic not easily discussed.
Many individuals are so embarrassed by this condition they don't mention
it to their physician. Incontinence is "not a normal part of aging" nor
is it a disease. The loss of bladder control is a medical
condition that affects approximately 25 million Americans. Many in your
church may be impacted directly or be the caregiver for someone
experiencing incontinence. If left untreated incontinence can lead
to isolation and unnecessary frustration.
There are five common types of incontinence. Stress incontinence
is the leakage of a small amount of urine due to sudden pressure on the
bladder experienced when laughing, coughing, exercising, or lifting
heavy objects. Urge incontinence is a sudden "urge" to urinate that is
so strong that the bathroom cannot be reached in time. Overflow
incontinence occurs when the bladder fills beyond capacity and urine
spills. Reflex is an involuntary urination without any sensation
of a full bladder. Functional incontinence can result from a
surgery, restricted mobility, environmental barriers, medications, or
mental disorders.
As a Parish Nurse you play an integral role in the elimination of this
silence. As a trusted medical professional you are able to address this
"taboo subject" with a compassion, professionalism, and manner that is
necessary to "open the door". Perhaps it is the "telltale odor"
discovered on a home visit or the call from a family member that
initiates the discussion. You can help those with incontinence to lead a
life without worry, fear or isolation and one that is filled with
dignity and confidence.
Parish Nurses serve as the valuable link to those in need of further
medical assessment to determine the type of incontinence and successful
treatment options. Today's technological advancements in medication,
surgery, therapies, supportive devices and high performance disposable
products enable effective management of incontinence. In some
instances incontinence can even be cured.
You may find that the majority of your church members use disposable
absorbent products to manage their incontinence. Complete product lines
are available to meet the varying incontinence needs. Pads worn in
underwear, pull-on style protective underwear, undergarments, and full
briefs are all designed to address light, moderate, or heavy levels of
incontinence. However, it is important to note that not all products are
created equal. Low performance products comprised of cotton fluff
or products manufactured for specifically for menstruation, are not
effective. High performance products comprised of super absorbent
polymers offer the highest level of absorbency and neutralization of
urine. These products are made to retain large volumes of urine,
prevent leakage, control bacterial growth, eliminate odor, and improve
quality of life.
It is important for a Parish Nurse to stress to church members if one
treatment method or disposable product is not successful do not give up!
Encourage members or their families to follow up with their physician
for alternative treatments or try other styles of disposable products.
Many manufacturers or distributors of disposable products offer free
sample programs so that individuals or their caregivers can find the
product that meets individualized needs.
Incontinence education and health promotion are also essential.
Numerous assessment tools are available to help you best address this
issue with your church members or their caregivers. There are many
resources available for use in your health promotion efforts.
There are many effective tools to use when providing personal
consultations or presenting educational sessions. The National
Association for Continence (NAFC) offers a comprehensive resource guide.
They can be reached on the web at
www.nafc.org or by phone at 1-800-BLADDER. The Bladder Health
Council of the American Foundation for Urologic Disease at
www.afud.org or 1-800-242-2383 is
also a valuable resource. In addition, specific disease state
organizations (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, etc.) also provide
incontinence information.
Contributed by Jane Hankenhof
Curry, Gerontologist and Education and Market Development Coordinator
for Principle Business Enterprises, manufacturer
of Tranquility Incontinence Products @ www.tranquilityproducts.com.
© 2010 Principle Business Enterprises, Inc.
|