Let’s Talk Incontinence: BL Stringer Helps Break the Silence This World Continence Week

Picture this: it’s a Sunday morning and a 78-year-old grandmother living in a rest home decides she’d love to join the other residents in the garden. But before she can step outside, there’s a quiet hesitation, a moment of anxiety that has become all too familiar. Will she make it to the bathroom in time? Will anyone notice?

Her story is shared by millions, including right here in New Zealand. This World Continence Week, 15 to 20 June 2026, we open the conversation to reduce stigma and ensure every person gets the dignity and support they deserve.

The Reality: It’s More Common Than You Think

Here in New Zealand, 1 in 4 people experience some form of bladder problem. According to research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal in 2024, drawing on NZ Health Survey data, 43.5% of New Zealand women aged 16 to 74 report at least some urinary incontinence, rising to 50% for women aged 50 to 74. Continence NZ notes that approximately 1.1 million New Zealanders do not have full bladder control. Yet, two out of three women with bladder problems never seek help, often believing nothing can be done.

More Than a Physical Issue

University of Otago researchers found people managing incontinence plan their entire day around it, skipping exercise and avoiding social outings. Many describe it as embarrassing or taboo, which is why so few seek help.

For rest home residents, it can chip away at self-esteem, increase the risk of skin breakdown, infections and falls, also contributing to loneliness and depression. The Health Quality and Safety Commission of New Zealand is clear: people in aged residential care are entitled to a proper continence assessment, because good continence care is not a luxury. It is a right.

Why Education Matters

Moving incontinence care from reactive to proactive starts with education. For rest home staff, understanding the types of incontinence and knowing how to assess and support a resident appropriately changes outcomes. A 2024 Health New Zealand review estimated the country will be short 12,000 residential care beds by 2032, making well-trained, well-resourced teams more critical than ever.

How BL Stringer Is Supporting You

At BL Stringer, we believe good incontinence care starts with good information. We have developed online resources available through our website for healthcare teams, rest home staff and carers across New Zealand.

Support and Education: Our incontinence education and training videos include onboarding modules for new staff and refresher modules for existing staff, keeping your team current with best practices and equipped to deliver confident care.

Resources Available: We offer an Incontinence Assessment and a Product Assessment Tool Guide to identify the right solution for each individual and a Product Sizing Guide to ensure a proper fit and prevent discomfort. A Product Application Guide with clear step-by-step instructions so care is delivered with both competence and compassion.

Let’s Change the Conversation

Incontinence is not something to be ashamed of or managed in silence. It is a health issue that responds to good assessment, the right products and an educated care team.

For the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders living with this every day, better care starts with awareness, training and teams who have the knowledge and confidence to deliver it. This World Continence Week, we invite you to explore BL Stringer’s incontinence resources, share them with your colleagues and take a meaningful step toward better care, because every person deserves to live with dignity, comfort and confidence.

Visit the BL Stringer website to access our incontinence education videos, assessment tools, sizing guides and product application resources.

Also shop our huge range of Toilet Paper, Uniforms, Incontinence, Disposable Gloves, Commercial Linen, Anti Slip Mats & more.