the Aged Care Today magazine featured articles

Incontinence is a prevalent issue among older adults, affecting their dignity, comfort and overall wellbeing. However, many caregivers lack the necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective incontinence management.

This comprehensive online training program has empowered aged care professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide dignified and effective continence care, improving the quality of life for thousands of older Australians.

ACCPA’s eLearning program has addressed a critical need in the sector, equipping RNs and PCWs with the expertise to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. Since its commencement, the Incontinence Micro-Credential Program has granted more than 1,000 RNs and PCWs with access to specialised knowledge and expertise in incontinence care, improving their overall competence.

By completing the program, participants contribute to better care experiences for older Australians and earn a digitally recognised credential, demonstrating sector-wide expertise and portability. RNs and PCWs have also demonstrated increased confidence in their ability to provide incontinence care, leading to better job satisfaction.

The program’s success has garnered recognition from Queensland-based home care provider, Five Good Friends, with the Manager of Nursing and the Welcome Team, Amos Sharan, sharing his feedback on this valuable learning resource.

One of the most significant challenges Amos and his team face when managing incontinence is ensuring they can accurately assess the unique needs of each member and tailor solutions accordingly.

“Managing the dignity and comfort of our members, particularly those with mobility or cognitive impairments, requires staff to have a deep understanding of incontinence products and techniques. Ensuring our care aligns with individual preferences while maintaining high-quality standards can also be complex,” he said.

“The learners who are actively participating in the training have found it valuable, and I find the resources available in the toolkit very helpful, especially for our nurses when discussing intervention methods in cases of incontinence.

“Since undertaking the incontinence training our team is already feeling more confident in their ability to assess continence needs and recommend suitable solutions. We will continue to monitor the long-term impacts of this training on member outcomes and adjust as needed.

“Given the positive impact the training has had on our current nursing team, I would definitely consider enrolling more staff in the future. The practical insights and resources provided, such as the toolkit, have been invaluable, and I believe extending this knowledge to other team members will continue to enhance the quality of care we provide.”

Reenie Doyle, Home Care Coordinator at Darling Downs Health also shared her experience with our program, providing invaluable insights from a learner perspective.

“I enjoyed completing the Incontinence Micro-credential Program and felt I learned some skills for my role as a Community Care Coordinator for over 65-year-olds in the community. I feel I have a broader understanding of the types of incontinence and how this can impact people’s daily lives,” she said.

“Overall, I am pleased I completed the modules and would be happy to complete more training modules with ACCPA.” ACCPA’s Incontinence Micro-Credential Program has improved incontinence care in Queensland, empowering RNs and PCWs to deliver exceptional care. As the aged care sector continues to evolve, programs like this will remain essential in ensuring older Australians receive the dignity, respect and quality care they deserve.

Building on the program’s success, ACCPA plans to expand the program reach in 2025 by offering the micro-credential program to a broader audience, including other states and territories.

ACCPA would like to acknowledge TENA’s crucial role as subject matter experts for the Incontinence Micro-Credential Program. TENA are the global leaders in incontinence care and have provided unparalleled expertise and quality in continence management education.

This micro-credentialing program is part of the Queensland Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.

The Incontinence Micro-Credential Program is one of ACCPA’s comprehensive workforce programs and initiatives being offered in 2025. Information on the national program expansion in 2025 can be found on ACCPA’s Workforce Hub.