(6-9 Years)
This is a time to encourage ostomy care independence. It is important to be aware that this is a wide age range, and so, depending on your child’s development level, it is important to partner with them by taking a step-by-step approach as they progress towards ostomy care independence.
If their ostomy is new, they may not feel comfortable and hesitate with ostomy care independence for a period of time. Your child may want to take time to watch and then process the steps for caring for their ostomy. Work with your child as you allow them ample opportunities to watch you and learn. Your child will learn to get supplies together as they learn the steps for caring for their ostomy.
As you partner together with your child, you are assisting them to build confidence in their skills and abilities. Self-esteem and ostomy care understanding builds, and your child will become more adept at trouble shooting when required. You are leading them into ostomy care independence.
At this age, it is important that an adult is available to help them identify skin breakdown, changes in stoma size, and appliance fit.
Privacy is important at home and at school. As they develop ostomy care independence children develop abilities at varying degrees, therefore, as they progress with ostomy care independence, it is important that nurses or adults at school who have been trained are available to help your child until they are ready for ostomy independence. It is important to have helpful dry runs at home and at school. As they gain independence it is helpful for your child to know who is going to help them and where pouch changes will take place both at home and at school. Have a plan in place in case there are pouching problems, and ensure that your child has supplies available at school in the event a pouch leaks.
This age group often practice skills as they learn. For some children it could be useful to provide them with a doll/stuffed toy designed with a stoma. This will assist your child through the ostomy care independence with something similar they can relate to.
Talk to your child about what can be done if any problems come up while your child is away from home.
Children this age usually take part in most sport activities, go on overnight trips, camp, and enjoy the same activities as other children. Help your child know how to best handle any problems that may come up. It would not be unexpected for your child to have some anxiety re: stoma care at school, even if they are coping well with care at home. Help your child feel more comfortable with caring for their stoma at school by setting up needed instructions and supplies for your child and their support team.
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.
