Useful links, hints and tips for continence.
The Bladder and Bowel Foundation is a charity. Their site is packed with useful information and links. https://www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org
Patient.info is a useful site for checking any concerning symptoms and for common sense advice. http://patient.info
The Squatty Potty is a small foot-stool that fits under your toilet. It raises your knees to enable a more functional “squat” position on the toilet. Great for people who suffer with constipation or struggle to open their bowels. http://www.squattypotty.co.uk
ERIC is a charity that supports children with continence problems and campaigns for better childhood continence care. It has loads of useful information for parents who have concerns regarding their child’s continence. http://www.eric.org.uk
Age Uk is a national charity that supports older people and their carers. Continence advice is just one of their topics. http://www.ageuk.org.uk
Changing Places is a charity. The Changing Places Consortium is a group of organisations working to support the rights of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and/or other physical disabilities. Established in 2005, the Consortium campaigns for Changing Places to be installed in all big public spaces so people can access their community. http://www.changing-places.org
‘Toilet finder’ apps can be found linked to numerous websites. These can be installed on your mobile device to help you to quickly find the toilet nearest to you.
Toilet Cards: Our ‘Just Can’t Wait’ toilet card uses what is considered to be a universally acknowledged image for a toilet. This generic image should help limit any embarrassment and ensure there is no confusion about the purpose of the card. It may also go some way to helping holders of the card find and access toilets in situations where English may not be the first spoken language. B&BF’s toilet card clearly states that the holder has a medical condition and needs to use a toilet quickly. Although it does not guarantee you access to a toilet, most places you visit will be willing to help you. The card is a small, credit sized card, designed to fit easily into your purse, wallet or pocket. You can show the card when you’re out shopping and socialising and it may help you gain access to a toilet. (B&BF 2016).
Radar Key: The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country. Toilets fitted with National Key Scheme (NKS) locks can now be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores, bus and train stations and many other locations in most parts of the country. (https://crm.disabilityrightsuk.org/radar-nks-key).
This list is by no means exhaustive, but may help direct you if you are looking for more information on continence matters or additional help with access to toilet facilities.