Incontinence Awareness

The Incontinence Awareness eLearning course provides learners with an understanding of incontinence and the principles of providing appropriate, respectful and person-centred support to individuals who experience continence difficulties.

The course explores different types and potential causes of incontinence, factors that may affect continence and the impact it can have on an individual's wellbeing, dignity and independence. Learners will consider appropriate approaches to continence support, hygiene, communication and recognising and reporting changes or concerns.

Who Should Attend?

• Employees working in health and social care environments.
• Care and support workers.
• Employees supporting older people or adults with continence needs.
• Employees working in residential, supported living or community care settings.
• Managers and supervisors within care services.
• Anyone requiring an understanding of incontinence and appropriate continence support.

What You Will Learn

• What is meant by incontinence.
• Understanding urinary and faecal incontinence.
• Different types of continence difficulties.
• Factors that may contribute to incontinence.
• Recognising that continence needs vary between individuals.
• The potential physical, emotional and social effects of incontinence.
• The importance of maintaining dignity, privacy and respect.
• Communicating sensitively about continence needs.
• Supporting individuals to maintain independence where possible.
• The importance of person-centred continence support.
• Following individual care plans and agreed ways of working.
• Supporting appropriate access to toilet facilities.
• Awareness of continence products and aids.
• Maintaining appropriate personal and hand hygiene.
• Reducing the risk of infection and skin problems.
• Appropriate handling and disposal of used continence products.
• Recognising changes in an individual's continence.
• Recognising signs that may require further attention or assessment.
• Reporting and recording continence-related concerns appropriately.
• Maintaining confidentiality when discussing or recording continence needs.
• Knowing when concerns should be referred to an appropriate healthcare professional.
• Contributing to respectful and appropriate continence care and support.

Course Delivery

This course is delivered as self-directed eLearning through the ELMO learning platform.

Learners can work through the course at their own pace and can move backwards and forwards through the learning content as required. The course does not need to be completed in one sitting, allowing learners to leave and return to their training where necessary.

Interactive activities may be included throughout the course to reinforce key learning points.

Assessment

Knowledge and understanding are checked through online assessment activities. Depending on the course content, these may include multiple-choice questions, matching exercises, drag-and-drop activities and image-based questions.

A minimum score of 70% is required to successfully complete the course.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course and assessment requirements, learners will receive a UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Accredited Certificate of Training.

This is an awareness-based eLearning course and does not replace individual continence assessment, care planning, clinical advice or any practical or role-specific training required when supporting an individual's continence needs.

Course Duration

The course is self-directed and learners can progress through the content at their own pace. Completion time may therefore vary depending on the individual learner.