EVIDEM-C:
Continence Promotion and Incontinence Management for People with Memory Problems Living at Home |
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1. What is EVIDEM-C about? |
Urinary or faecal incontinence (involuntary leakage) are distressing symptoms for any adult that impact on many aspects of an individual’s health and quality of life. Some of these problems do not resolve with medical treatment. It is estimated that up to a third of people with memory problems living at home have difficulties in remaining continent and are incontinent. There is lack of detailed knowledge of the issues and the most appropriate management strategies, which is reflected in the lack of guidance for health and social care professionals to help address these problems. This study aims to describe the range and impact of these types of problems as well as test the feasibility and appropriateness of some management strategies to help the problems. In addition, it aims to provide a resource of information for people with memory problems, their carers and health and social care professionals.
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2. Why is it important to study EVIDEM-C? |
Incontinence lowers quality of life and has a negative effect on mental health and creates significant practical and financial problems. Problems with incontinence are known to be a significant factor in the decision for people with memory problems and dementias to take up residence in a care home.
There is little knowledge amongst professionals as to the best way to help and advise people with these continuing problems.
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3. How will you carry out EVIDEM-C? |
EVIDEM-C involves a number of activities. This includes:
- Undertaking a review of research literature,
- Investigating the views of people with memory problems, their carers and health and social care professionals about the problems they face and what strategies they use to promote continence and manage incontinence,
- Investigating the feasibility and acceptability of the strategies identified in the research literature and from peoples experience,
- Investigating the experience and impact of continence promotion and incontinence management activities over time from the perspective of people with these problems living at home and their families and carers,
- Developing and testing information resources written in appropriate formats specifically for health and social care professionals, and people with memory problems living at home and their carers.
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4. When will EVIDEM-C happen? |
We have begun and are looking for people to volunteer and join us.
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5. What difference do you think EVIDEM-C will make? |
We think that the findings from the study will help people with memory loss and continence problems living at home, their carers and professionals through the production of a practical, appropriate information/educational resource. Other findings from the study will help in two ways:
- It will help provide information to NHS and social care service planners and commissioners for the future development of services supporting people to remain continent and manage incontinence,
- It will help provide information for planning future studies on particular types of medical interventions to help people with incontinence.
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6. How can I get involved in EVIDEM-C? |
There are a number of ways people with memory loss, their family and carers and health and social carers could be involved:
- You could volunteer to talk to us about your experiences of the strategies that work in staying continent or managing incontinence. We also want to hear about problems that are difficult to manage. We would like to hear from people with memory problems, their family and carers and from health and social care staff.
- You could volunteer to be a member of our advisory group- meeting twice a year or just looking at our research tools and paperwork and giving us your comments.
- You can let us know that you are interested in hearing about the progress of the study and might want to volunteer to be involved more in the future.
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7. Contact EVIDEM C |
Please contact Laura Cole research associate on 020 8725 3867 or email or Vari Drennan , project lead on 020 8725 2339 or email – or write for more details or to let us know of your general interest.
Laura Cole
Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences
St George's, University of London, & Kingston University
Grosvenor Wing (2nd floor)
Cranmer Terrace
London
SW17 0RE
Please feel free to share this information with other people who might be interested in the project or willing to talk to us.
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8. Who is working on this project |
| The team is led by Prof Vari Drennan , and also relies on the contributions of Laura Cole. |
9. Progress to date |
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10. Reports from this project |
| To view outputs generated from the work of this project click here. |
Health Research: Programme Grant for Applied Research (RP-PG-0606-1005)