Current News > October 29th, 2009: Continence Care for Success Program
Champlain LHIN supports KDH’s launch - Continence Care for Success Program
Kemptville, ON, October 29, 2009: Urinary incontinence. It’s something that most people don’t talk about. Yet, almost 30% of Canadian seniors admit to suffering some form of this condition, which has negative impacts on one’s physical, psychological, sexual and social life, as well as leading to a diminished overall quality of life. Many people chose to suffer in silence, rather than seek medical attention. Continence is also becoming one of the top reasons for admission to nursing homes. Now all of that is going to change.
In an effort to bring elder services closer to home, the Champlain LHIN is supporting the Kemptville District Hospital (KDH), as part of the Lanark, Leeds & Grenville Ageing at Home Collaborative, in opening a new clinic called “Continence Care for Success”. This clinic will give seniors the opportunity to receive continence support services in local hospitals, community centres and in the privacy of their own homes.
KDHis becoming a leader in this field with Nurse Continence Advisor (NCA) Janet York-Lowry, RN as the newest member of KDH’s Ageing at Home team. Specially trained to deal with continence issues, Janet is one of only six NCAs working in the Champlain LHIN area and one of about 150 who have completed specialized training at McMaster in Hamilton. “We need to get the message out that incontinence can be treated. It’s time to empower seniors by giving them the knowledge to help prevent or manage incontinence so that we can increase the quality of their lives,” she says. “By doing so, we can help active seniors live their lives to the fullest, while helping frail seniors continue to live at home for as long as possible”.
Catherine Van Vliet, Director Patient Services & Integration, adds that after listening to the concerns of elder citizens, patients, and their families, KDH has responded by making elder services available in the community. Van Vliet says “We are moving outside the hospital walls to have services closer to home. We also have ensured easy access to continence care since seniors can refer themselves. Seniors have an excellent idea of what services they require to live longer and healthier lives in the comfort of their homes.”
By bringing continence education into the community, KDH is promoting a new standard of care. Previous continence support was offered solely in a medical model. Research has shown that one-on-one counseling offered in a clinical setting, in conjunction with outreach at a community level, is a much more effective way in treating and managing the symptoms of this condition.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced the Ageing at Home strategy in 2007. With funding from the Champlain LHIN, Kemptville District Hospital, as a partner in the Lanark, Leeds & Grenville Ageing at Home Collaborative, will be launching a full program aimed at supporting seniors and providing services closer to home. Next up on the schedule will be education clinics aimed at reducing injuries due to falls in the home.
The Continence Care for Success program was launched on Monday, October 19, 2009, just in time for Incontinence Awareness Month, which is marked every November. Joining Janet as part of the Aging at Home Team is Brenda Gray, Administrative and Program Assistant.
Appointments for the Continence Care for Success program can be booked by calling Brenda at (613) 258-6133 x 400
Photo: Administrative and Program Assistant Brenda Gray (left) and Nurse Continence Advisor Janet York-Lowry, RN.
For information on upcoming special topics or other diabetes education programs, please visit www.kdh.on.ca
For more information contact:
Linda Bell
Director, Kemptville District Hospital Foundation/ Manager, Hospital Communications
Tel: 613-258-6133 x 194
E-mail: lbell@kdh.on.ca