UOAA Action Center
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In the beginning living with a bowel or bladder diversion is a challenge; to find a way to go forward with your life AFTER your surgery. But you do it, with support and education, you navigate the strange new world of ostomy supplies, medical insurance, changes in diet and routine. Then along comes the challenge of aging, and once again you are challenged to find new strategies, to change and adapt.… And just like before you will find a new way, with support and education.
UOAA’s Advocacy Committee is committed to supporting people living with ostomies and continent diversions to successfully meet the challenges of aging. Aging with an ostomy or continent diversion is not gloom and doom but rather knowledge about the rules of care in the post acute (post hospital) environment, preparation and the ability to identify and communicate your needs is essential. The committee has created tools and resources to assist with this process.
The information provided in our Webinar: Aging with an Ostomy and Continent Diversion, was designed to educate on some of the hurdles in obtaining care but also about how to prepare and what resources are available:
Ostomy Self-Management Checklist
UOAA developed a self-assessment checklist to help you understand the components of ostomy care and determine if you need assistance with any component of care. |
Coming Soon Continent Diversion Self-Management Checklist |
The purposes of the Self-Management Checklist tools are:
- to identify the components of ostomy and continent diversion management
- for family and health care providers together with the person living with an ostomy or continent diversion to use to problem solve
- for a person with an ostomy or continent diversion to explain to caregivers and health care providers, the areas where they can manage and where they need help
Support for Residents of Assisted Living Facilities
UOAA has partnered with the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses Society (WOCN Society) and developed a FAQ document for patients in response to concerns that aging residents were being denied access to assisted living facilities (ALF) because they have an ostomy. This document is intended to dispel myths on the care required for residents with an ostomy and answer some frequently asked questions that owners or staff of assisted living facilities may have concerning people with an ostomy who wish to reside in an ALF. Daily ostomy management is an activity of daily living – the simple process of toileting. People living with an ostomy should be welcomed and treated as any person seeking potential residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
During 2021, UOAA/WOCN spoke with several state associations of these facilities across the country. We are currently working on state specific outreach plans including providing an educational webinar to counter what we believe is an unfounded stigma around living with an ostomy.
As you research facilities for potential residency and encounter any similar concerns, please use the above FAQs in your own self-advocacy effort.
UOAA has also developed these additional tools to help the community self-advocate for living in this type of facility.
Aging in Place Resources
Video: Preparing For The Future – Where You Live Matters: Aging in Place with An Ostomy. Presented by Jeanine Gleba, UOAA Advocacy manager and Susan Mueller, BSN, RN, CWOCN Advocacy Committee Co-Chair.
UOAA created a document with a list of resources to assist people aging and remaining in their homes. These include resources such as your local national council of independent living and your state’s long term care ombudsman and links to ALF fact sheets.
Advocates for a Positive Change
Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 2293
Biddeford, ME 04005-2293
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
Please understand that UOAA is a private, nonprofit, advocacy and informational organization. We are not a medical facility and we do not have medical or legal professionals on staff. Therefore, UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice. Visit UOAA Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company for non-emergency, virtual ostomy support.
