Caregiving, Dementia, and Incontinence (FutureLearn)

Explore the basics of bowel and bladder function

Delving into the biological functions of the bowel and bladder, you’ll examine the effects of ageing and dementia on continence and identify warning signs for when medical health should be sought.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to develop sensitive support strategies, founded in scientific understanding.

Promote healthy bladder function and assist with toileting and personal hygiene

You’ll examine a range of approaches to help a person living with dementia maintain continence and manage incontinence, including assisting with personal hygiene and the use of continence aids and incontinence products.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to help the person you’re caring for maintain their independence for as long as possible and improve their quality of life.

Learn how to access support services and quality health information

Through group discussion, you’ll share practical advice and coping skills to improve your problem-solving, flexibility, and planning skills.

You’ll also learn how to find trustworthy information and access continence services to improve the care you can provide.

By the end of this course, you’ll understand the causes and effects of incontinence in people with dementia. You’ll have gained practical strategies to support your caregiving, having learned a variety of physical and emotional support techniques.

What topics will you cover?

Beliefs about incontinence and their impact on emotions and behaviours.

How to maintain and improve bowel and bladder health.

How ageing and dementia can affect bowel and bladder function.

Using a variety of approaches to help a person living with dementia maintain continence and manage incontinence.

Accessing quality health information and support.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Describe how incontinence and beliefs about incontinence can affect a person’s well-being.

- Adapt communication to meet the continence care needs of a person living with dementia to promote their dignity, respect, comfort, and safety.

- Describe the normal function of the bowel and bladder, the impact of dementia on continence, and factors that may affect bladder and bowel function.

- Identify and have confidence in using a variety of approaches to help a person living with dementia maintain continence and manage incontinence.

- Identify quality sources of information, support, and professional advice about continence care for carers of a person living with dementia.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for family carers and those working in caregiving roles who want to improve their understanding of dementia and incontinence.

It may also be of interest to first year nursing students or those preparing for study who want to further their knowledge in this area.