Health and Social Care

Difficulties with continence can affect an individual’s self-esteem, health and their day to day activities. Incontinence sufferers have been known to lose self-esteem and confidence and even withdraw from their usual circle of friends and family. The fear of being found out can make an individual feel ashamed of their condition. These feelings as a whole can impact negatively on an individual’s life. 
  1.2 * hysterectomy  * painful bladder syndrome  * pregnancy and childbirth  * aging  * enlarged prostrate  * prostatitis  * bladder cancer  * bladder stones
  An individual’s personal beliefs and values may affect the management of continence. It may be that an individual’s values and beliefs will lead them to request clinical procedures which others may feel are not in their best interests. It may also be the case that they will refuse treatment which will greatly benefit them. Modesty is greatly valued in some religions and cultures which must be taken into consideration when caring for any individual. 
  Keep service users covered up whenever possible.Avoid entering a room while other staff are carrying out intimate and personal care. If it is unavoidable, knock and wait.Ensure that items others may need to access are not stored in rooms where intimate and personal care is provided.Consider developing a system that prevents other service users and staff from entering a room while intimate and personal care is being carried out, such as catches that stop doors from being pushed open easily but can be opened in an emergency.Make time when intimate issues, such as continence care, can be discussed with other staff in private. A good example would be at staff handover, which could be held in an office. If you must discuss these issues within the earshot of others, be sensitive about language used, and your tone and volume of voice.Avoid drawing attention to a person’s incontinence, and refrain from speaking about it unnecessarily or in front of people who do...