Training and Workshop for Caregivers in Conjunction with World Continence Week 2010
A bright and early Sunday greeted the Kovan heartlanders with a hopeful vibe as participants attended a half-day of training and workshop session for caregivers. Jointly organised by the Society for Continence (Singapore) [SFCS], Paya Lebar Kovan Community Club (Women’s Executive Committee), 1-Stop @ Paya Lebar, and SCA Hygiene Singapore Pte. Ltd., this training cum workshop tackled topics such as “Incontinence in the Elderly”, “Management of Incontinence at Home” and “Aids & Appliances for Incontinence Care”. During the workshop, participants were shown the proper methods to transfer patients from the bed to the wheelchair as well as how diapers are worn while lying down.
One of the speakers, Ms Chia Hwee Huang, a volunteer nurse with SFCS, highlighted the problems associated with incontinence in the social, physical, psychological as well as occupational/financial aspects of life through her topic “Incontinence in the Elderly”. She stressed that if patients do not go for treatment, the challenge of incontinence will just keep repeating itself unless something is done about it. She also mentioned that incontinence is a symptom to urinary tract infection, atropic vaginitis and constipation to name a few and that it is not a disease. She reiterates that early recognition of this can definitely minimise the risk of infection and possible complications in the future.
Another volunteer nurse with SFCS, Ms Tan Sok Eng imparted valuable information to the audience about how to take steps into dealing with this challenging problem in the confines of their own homes during her talk on “Management of Incontinence at Home”. Aside from the bladder and bowel healthy habits, she also enumerated a few more practical pointers on how to deal with incontinence:
- Fluids: Take caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, cola in moderation as well as beer and other alcoholic beverages.
- Dietary Advice: Include fibre in the diet such as vegetables and fruits.
- Preventing Constipation: Having a regular toileting regimen.
- Hygiene: Bathe daily as well as practise good perineal hygiene to prevent any infections.
She also advised the caregivers that patients need all the care, patience, compassion and understanding they can provide to help them deal with incontinence.
“Aids & Appliances for Incontinence Care”, by Ms Susan Koh, Product Manager for SCA Hygiene Singapore Pte. Ltd., discussed the various diaper products they offer to help with incontinent patients. She also gave pointers on how to choose the right product for a particular patient, be it male or female with the aid of visuals for each one.
Following Ms Koh’s talk, a mini workshop conducted by Ms Chia, demonstrated the proper method on how to transfer patients from the hospital bed to the wheelchair and vice versa. Ms Chia and Ms Koh, also demonstrated on how diapers are worn on a patient while lying down.
Ms Tan also demonstrated the use of different kinds of equipment for incontinent care, examples of which are the walker, cane and the commode.