Bladder Health - Gateway Health

Who:	The group is open to men and women of any age with bladder issues, carers, and anyone else interested in understanding or improving their bladder and bowel health. If you are over 65 you must register for the program through My Aged Care. You can do this directly with My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Your GP practice nurse can also assist with this referral.
When:	There are three small group sessions that run once a week for 2.5 hours, with light refreshments provided. The program will be advertised locally. You can go on a waiting list for the next program in your area.
Where:	Group sessions are conducted in the Alpine Shire, Benalla, Mansfield and Wangaratta.
Cost:	The cost of the program is $30.00.

Bladder weakness is not a normal part of ageing and some issues are treatable or can be well managed.

In this group we talk about how the bladder and bowel work and provide general information that may assist with improving some bladder and bowel issues.

We also discuss and provide education about the benefit of pelvic floor exercises.

The sessions are conducted by our health professionals – dietitian, pharmacist, and continence nurse.

Following the program there is a follow-up with the continence nurse who will attend a simple scan to see if your pelvic floor is working and discuss any specific areas of concern.

Contact us

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact us on 03 5723 2097 or email AH.Intake@gatewayhealth.org.au.

Some of the things we talk about are:
- the different types of incontinence that can affect bladder and bowel control
- the importance of fluid intake
- how fibre is important in our diet
- medicines that can impact the bladder or bowel
- prevention of falls
- products available to assist and funding that may be available for these products
- pelvic floor muscle exercises
If you answer yes to any of the questions below, this service may be helpful to you:
- Do you sometimes feel that you have not completely emptied your bladder?
- Do you have to rush to use the toilet?
- Are you frequently nervous because you think you might lose control of your bladder?
- Do you wake up twice or more during the night to go to the toilet?
- Do you plan your daily routine around where the nearest toilet is?
- Do you leak when you laugh or sneeze, play sport or lift something heavy?
- Do you leak when you change from a seated or lying position to a standing position?
Further information is available at:
- National Continence Helpline: 1800 330 066
- Continence Foundation of Australia