Media release - World Continence Week (22-28 June) Continence Foundation Australia
Announcement posted by Continence Foundation Australia 09 Jun 2015
Hi {{ first_name | fallback:"there" }},
I hope you are well.
With World Continence Week 2015 fast approaching (June 22 - 28), I would like to get in touch with you about Continence Foundation Australia’s new national campaign, "Tell Someone Who Cares" (please see media release attached).
This year's campaign is highlighting the international awareness week, World Continence Week, and the welfare of Australia’s 2.7 million unpaid family and friend carers - who have the added challenge of caring for someone with incontinence.
I was hoping to arrange an interview for your program about this important issue that affects so many Australians. The attached media release highlights research showing high rates of stress-related illness among carers looking after adults or children with incontinence, as well as details of the Continence Foundation's campaign to better assist carers, with support from Carers Australia.
Look forward to your feedback and please let me know if you need any supporting images, case studies or health specialists in your state who are available for media.
For your reference, I have the following health expert available for interview:
Joan Ostaszkiewicz, works out of Deakin Uni, Burwood
Dr Ostaszkiewicz is a registered nurse with a clinical and academic background in the management of incontinence in frail older adults. She holds the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Deakin University. Her program of research focusses on evidence-based nursing strategies to enhance continence care for frail older people, particularly those with dementia and dependent on a carer. Dr Ostaszkiewicz is a founding member of the Victorian Branch of the Continence Foundation of Australia and the Continence Nurses Society of Australia. She sits on a number of committees including: the International Continence Society (prior chair of Care Home Working Party), the Cochrane Incontinence Review Group (contact editor), and The Continence Nurses Society of Australia.
Cheers,
Di
Media release
Tuesday 9 June 2015
The Continence Foundation of Australia is launching a national campaign during World Continence Week (June 22-28) to better support family and friend carers dealing with the added challenge of caring for someone who is incontinent.
‘Tell someone who cares’ encourages carers to reach out for support, particularly given research shows that carers looking after people who have severe incontinence are twice as likely to report a stress-related illness than other carers.*
Continence Foundation of Australia chief executive Barry Cahill says many carers can feel overwhelmed by their situation and often struggle in silence, unaware of the support available to them.
“Australia’s 2.7 million unpaid friend and family carers perform a vital task for society, often facing the extra challenge of assisting those with incontinence, with little or no support,” Mr Cahill said.
“For carers looking after people with a disability or dementia, incontinence can become the tipping point for admitting their loved ones into a residential care facility.
“If we want people to be cared for in their own homes longer, then carers need to be better supported through resources and education, preparing people for the challenges they face and reassuring them help is available,” Mr Cahill said.
“Primary carers who assist people with severe incontinence often feel stressed isolated and report strained relationships with those they care for.
“It is therefore vitally important that they seek support and advice. These new resources not only provide practical advice, but also outline the available support services, including the National Continence Helpline, which can assist with information and referrals to health and support services throughout Australia, “ Mr Cahill said.
The campaign, supported by Carers Australia, which has been developed in consultation with Carers Australia, includes new resources for carers, comprising a carer guidebook with practical tips and information on continence management, and dedicated web pages with resources and short videos by continence experts.
Carers Australia’s chief executive Ara Cresswell said she was delighted that the Continence Foundation of Australia had undertaken this important work for carers.
“Providing unpaid family and friend carers with information and practical advice can be vital to ensuring the sustainability of the caring relationship and to the health and wellbeing of both the carer, and the person they care for,” Ms Cresswell said.
The National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66) is staffed 8am-8pm Monday to Friday by continence nurse advisors who provide advice, referrals and resources to consumers and health professionals. Further information is also available at continence.org.au.
*Incontinence in Australia, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2013
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Alison McClelland | Marketing and Communications Manager | Continence Foundation of Australia
P: +61 3 9347 2522 or 0421 057 246 | E: a.mcclelland@continence.org.au
Dianne Cohen | Account Manager | icon.pr
P: +61 3 9907 5019 or 0415 759 383 | E: dianne.cohen@iconpr.com.au
Dianne Cohen
Account Manager - icon.pr
P: 03 9907 5019 M: 0415 759 383
E: dianne.cohen@iconpr.com.au
If you wish to be unsubscribed from this list, click the following link
I hope you are well.
With World Continence Week 2015 fast approaching (June 22 - 28), I would like to get in touch with you about Continence Foundation Australia’s new national campaign, "Tell Someone Who Cares" (please see media release attached).
This year's campaign is highlighting the international awareness week, World Continence Week, and the welfare of Australia’s 2.7 million unpaid family and friend carers - who have the added challenge of caring for someone with incontinence.
I was hoping to arrange an interview for your program about this important issue that affects so many Australians. The attached media release highlights research showing high rates of stress-related illness among carers looking after adults or children with incontinence, as well as details of the Continence Foundation's campaign to better assist carers, with support from Carers Australia.
Look forward to your feedback and please let me know if you need any supporting images, case studies or health specialists in your state who are available for media.
For your reference, I have the following health expert available for interview:
Joan Ostaszkiewicz, works out of Deakin Uni, Burwood
Dr Ostaszkiewicz is a registered nurse with a clinical and academic background in the management of incontinence in frail older adults. She holds the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Deakin University. Her program of research focusses on evidence-based nursing strategies to enhance continence care for frail older people, particularly those with dementia and dependent on a carer. Dr Ostaszkiewicz is a founding member of the Victorian Branch of the Continence Foundation of Australia and the Continence Nurses Society of Australia. She sits on a number of committees including: the International Continence Society (prior chair of Care Home Working Party), the Cochrane Incontinence Review Group (contact editor), and The Continence Nurses Society of Australia.
Cheers,
Di
Media release
Tuesday 9 June 2015
The cost of caring
The Continence Foundation of Australia is launching a national campaign during World Continence Week (June 22-28) to better support family and friend carers dealing with the added challenge of caring for someone who is incontinent.
‘Tell someone who cares’ encourages carers to reach out for support, particularly given research shows that carers looking after people who have severe incontinence are twice as likely to report a stress-related illness than other carers.*
Continence Foundation of Australia chief executive Barry Cahill says many carers can feel overwhelmed by their situation and often struggle in silence, unaware of the support available to them.
“Australia’s 2.7 million unpaid friend and family carers perform a vital task for society, often facing the extra challenge of assisting those with incontinence, with little or no support,” Mr Cahill said.
“For carers looking after people with a disability or dementia, incontinence can become the tipping point for admitting their loved ones into a residential care facility.
“If we want people to be cared for in their own homes longer, then carers need to be better supported through resources and education, preparing people for the challenges they face and reassuring them help is available,” Mr Cahill said.
“Primary carers who assist people with severe incontinence often feel stressed isolated and report strained relationships with those they care for.
“It is therefore vitally important that they seek support and advice. These new resources not only provide practical advice, but also outline the available support services, including the National Continence Helpline, which can assist with information and referrals to health and support services throughout Australia, “ Mr Cahill said.
The campaign, supported by Carers Australia, which has been developed in consultation with Carers Australia, includes new resources for carers, comprising a carer guidebook with practical tips and information on continence management, and dedicated web pages with resources and short videos by continence experts.
Carers Australia’s chief executive Ara Cresswell said she was delighted that the Continence Foundation of Australia had undertaken this important work for carers.
“Providing unpaid family and friend carers with information and practical advice can be vital to ensuring the sustainability of the caring relationship and to the health and wellbeing of both the carer, and the person they care for,” Ms Cresswell said.
The National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66) is staffed 8am-8pm Monday to Friday by continence nurse advisors who provide advice, referrals and resources to consumers and health professionals. Further information is also available at continence.org.au.
*Incontinence in Australia, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2013
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Alison McClelland | Marketing and Communications Manager | Continence Foundation of Australia
P: +61 3 9347 2522 or 0421 057 246 | E: a.mcclelland@continence.org.au
Dianne Cohen | Account Manager | icon.pr
P: +61 3 9907 5019 or 0415 759 383 | E: dianne.cohen@iconpr.com.au
- ENDS -
Dianne Cohen
Account Manager - icon.pr
P: 03 9907 5019 M: 0415 759 383
E: dianne.cohen@iconpr.com.au
If you wish to be unsubscribed from this list, click the following link