Lena became a nurse continence specialist after meeting a patient who had suffered with incontinence for over a decade without telling anyone.
"I visited a patient one day to assist her with management of her wound care. She was in her 40s with two teens at home. She eventually told me that she had been having continence issues since the kids were born and had never told anyone. I felt so sad for her that she had been carrying this on her own for so long and managing without any help. Incontinence affects people's lives in so many ways; you can't wear the clothes you want, you can't do activities you used to do."
After becoming a nurse continence specialist, Lena worked for many years in the community visiting clients to help them with their incontinence issues. Lena then moved to the National Continence Helpline team to treat people via telehealth in 2024. "Moving from visiting clients in person to telehealth has been an adjustment, but it is great for them because it makes a huge difference to people living in remote places, or parents caring for a child with autism. They can let the child play in their own environment while we do their consult so it is more relaxing for everyone."
Varied calls every day
"I love working on the National Continence Helpline because there are such varied calls every day. One call might be about how to access funding for continence aids or product advice and the next call might be about toilet training advice for young children."
"My main goal through continence nursing is to let people know they have options."
Fact-finding with Lena
Fact #1 Aging doesn't mean you have to experience incontinence. Some people think it is normal to be incontinent when you get to a certain age, but it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. I have had clients who are 90 years old who are still in control of their bladder and bowel motions. Incontinence can impact anyone at any age and can often be treated, better managed or even cured.
Fact #2 Surgery is not the only treatment option for most continence problems. Clients tell me they are worried about getting treatment because they have heard surgery horror stories. I wish more people knew there are quite a few treatments to try before they need to consider surgery. Speak to someone you trust such as your health professional, friend, or relative about your continence problem.
Or take the first step towards help by calling the National Continence Helpline for free, confidential advice. Speak to a nurse continence specialist 1800 33 00 66 (8am-8pm AEST Mon-Fri). Average call wait time less than 60 seconds.