Joanne Hicklin’spost as a Continence Adviser is jointly funded by Health and Social Services and her responsibilities cover local authority residential homes for elderly people. She explains her role and shares some practical advice on continence promotion

Continence problems make people miserable - not only the sufferer, but the carer too. A working day in a residential home for the elderly can sometimes seem like one long toileting round. While elderly people are at particular risk front developing continence problems, the majority do remain continent until they die.