JOINT POSITION STATEMENT
On 1 July 2015, representatives of pan-European patient and civil society groups, of which the European Brain Council is a member, came together to discuss the burden of incontinence and the provision of better continence care in Europe, at home and in the community, in order to enable people with incontinence and their carers to live active, independent and dignified lives.
A ‘hidden’ or ‘invisible’ condition today, incontinence is often overshadowed by other chronic diseases. This Joint Position Statement aims to contribute to a better understanding of the emotional, family and social burden of incontinence in policy and stakeholder circles. In particular, we identified five areas of policy and stakeholder action that will help people with incontinence and their carers better manage their care at home and in the community, support their independence, well-being and dignity, and increase their active participation in society.
Areas of action:
- Increase awareness, recognition and understanding of incontinence
- Recognize continence care as a human right to live independent and dignified lives
- Improve information and communication about incontinence
- Enable choice, involvement and empowerment of people affected by incontinence
- Develop continence-friendly urban/community and home environments
- Support and prioritize a research agenda on incontinence
Read the full Report here.