Have you ever felt like you just don’t know where to start when addressing incontinence with your patients? Today, Krista Covell-Pierson OTR/L, BCB-PMD talks about what we can do get started treating this area of practice.
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Krista is sharing with you a free download of a Voiding Diary (plus, it’s easy to modify for your specific setting!)
8 thoughts on “Incontinence for the Generalist Occupational Therapy Practitioner”
Great podcast – thank you! Where can I find information on how to do/ teach effective pelvic floor exercises?
Check out the additional information below!
Thanks for a great podcast. I also would like to know where to get more info on treatment and pelvic floor exercises.
Hi Heather and Deborah – Here is some additional information from my guest Krista Covell-Pierson OTR/L regarding your question:
“I would recommend starting with a voiding schedule first. It will help people see if people are weak or having more urge type issues. If someone is weak and the OT feels confident that the exercises are the way to go I would start with 25 quick contractions of the PFM in the AM and PM, and ten long contractions (shoot for 10 seconds long) in the mid part of the day. The OT’s can adjust that to meet their clients where they are but that that’s the goal. Do it for three weeks and then see if the client is seeing any improvement. If incontinence gets worse I would stop the exercise program.”
I am a 2 years new generalist OT. I have three HH patients right now that have incontinence goals. One patient I have tried to get him to follow a diary. I did not specify 3 days worth, but so far after 1.5 wks he continually reports he hasn’t started journaling. He states this goal is his number one priority! So I am working on ways to encourage him to complete this. I will be presenting the printed material offered here and might even buy him an inexpensive clip board at the dollar store as a way to show him how I am investing in his success. The other two patients have completely different circumstances as well and will get them started on the diary. I will be looking into more professional development opportunities in this area as I find this to be an unaddressed topic that has a big impact on outcomes. Thank you for this podcast.
Hi Dawn. I agree, it can be tricky since cognition and motivation are important (and necessary!) for incontinence to be addressed. Maybe 3 days for the diary is much more doable for him. Best of luck with your patients and thanks for listening!
This was a great podcast! Keep up the good work! Perfect to listen to on the road as a home health therapist!
Thanks Max!