Continence Care Training Module for Aged Care Workers
Continence issues affect the majority of aged care residents and are among the most sensitive areas of personal care. How staff approach continence care — with dignity, empathy and clinical knowledge — directly affects resident comfort, skin health, and quality of life. This training module provides your team with the knowledge and skills to deliver respectful, effective continence care and ensure every consumer's needs are addressed in their individual care plan.
What This Training Covers
- Types of urinary and faecal incontinence — causes and contributing factors
- Continence assessment — key questions and clinical screening tools
- Bladder and bowel care plans — what good looks like
- Continence aids — selection, fit and correct use
- Maintaining skin integrity — preventing incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD)
- Toileting programmes — timed, prompted and habit training
- Dignity in continence care — language, privacy and approach
- Constipation management and bowel observation
- Escalation to continence nurse specialist or GP
Key Learning Outcomes
- Describe the main types of incontinence and their underlying causes
- Conduct a basic continence history and document findings
- Select and apply appropriate continence aids based on individual need
- Implement a toileting programme and document outcomes
- Identify and respond to signs of incontinence-associated skin damage
Who Should Complete This Training
All PCAs and direct care staff. RNs and care managers should complete the full module including assessment and care planning components. Annual refresher training is recommended given high incidence of continence-related audit findings.
Alignment to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
Relevant to Standard 4 (Care and Support) — continence must be addressed as part of individualised care planning — and Standard 5 (Clinical Care), which requires evidence-based management of clinical conditions including continence. Standard 1 (The Person) requires that care is delivered with dignity and respect at all times.
Ensure Continence Plans Are Consistent and Current with Governa
Governa helps clinical leads audit whether continence care plans are in place and up to date for every consumer — and surfaces your continence policy to staff through Norma on demand.
