Resource: Promoting continence for people living with dementia

The Care Inspectorate today launched an important new resource which aims to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia.

The resource, ‘Promoting continence for people living with dementia and long-term conditions’ highlights the fundamental and essential care and support required to give people the opportunity to remain continent and maximise their quality of life.

Its production involved people living with dementia and their families and carers as well as staff from across the health and social care sector.

The resource can be used by people living with dementia and their families as part of self-management as well as by staff working across health and social care. The project was led by the Care Inspectorate and delivered in partnership with Scottish Care, Scottish Government, NHS Continence Advisers, the Scottish Dementia Working Group, ACA and the National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN).

Paul Edie, Care Inspectorate Chair, welcomed the resource and said: “This resource will go a long way towards making sure that people living with dementia and long-term conditions have their rights respected and met, and that their quality of life improves.

“This is a good example of partnership working between the Care Inspectorate and the key partners who all contributed to its development. This resource will make a significant contribution to the quality of continence care provided in the future allowing people to maintain their independence and dignity.”

The resource, which was piloted across NHS assessment units, care homes, day centres and care at home services, can be used by people to manage their own continence as well as by carers, both formal and informal, in a wide variety of settings.

It contains an easy read guide, poster and DVD to support its five key messages which are:

•    Know me and what’s important in my life and do what’s best for me.
•    Know me and how I communicate.
•    What I need to stay continent and how you can help.
•    Create an environment that supports me to be independent and promotes continence.
•    Look for every opportunity to promote my continence – be creative.

For copies of the resource call 0345 600 9527 or log on to http://cinsp.in/1H7xi7f