Caring With Confidence
Looking after someone's stoma at home: what's normal, what to do, and when to call.
A live session for anyone caring for an adult with a stoma, with Kelly Taylor, a Sydney stoma nurse with over 20 years' experience.
Thursday 29 October, 7pm Sydney time
(6pm Brisbane, 4pm Perth)
Live on Zoom · one hour · your camera stays off
First session price: $39 AUD per household. Future sessions will be $69.
You'll get an email from me with your Zoom link.
Prefer to talk first? Call or text Kelly on 0494 612 786.
If you're the one doing the caring, this hour is for you
Maybe this is all new, and you had a lot to learn in a short time. Maybe you've been doing it for years and you're still not sure you're doing it right. Either way, the questions keep coming.
Is this what it's supposed to look like?
Why does it keep leaking at night?
Should I ring someone, or am I overreacting?
Lots of carers tell me they want to help but they're scared of getting something wrong. That doesn't mean you're doing a bad job. It means new questions keep coming up at home, and it isn't always easy to find someone to ask.
I'm Kelly Taylor. I've been a stoma nurse in Sydney for over 20 years. On Thursday 29 October I'm running a live online session just for carers, where I'll show you what's normal, what you can sort out at home, and when it's time to pick up the phone.
Kelly
What we'll cover in the hour
What's normal, and when to call
A simple green, amber and red guide. Green means leave it alone. Amber means sort it out at home, or call a stoma nurse this week. Red means go to emergency now. I'll walk you through common examples of each.
About 15 minutesA good bag change, and what to do when things go wrong
The small habits that help a bag change go well. Then leaks, sore skin and changes in output: why they happen and what to check first.
About 20 minutesLooking after yourself
Caring is a big job, and it's tiring. People tell you you're doing great, and it doesn't always feel that way. We'll talk about that honestly.
About 5 minutesYour questions
I'll finish with the questions you send me after you book. You'll hear other carers' questions too, and often they're the ones you didn't know to ask.
About 12 minutes
What you'll take home
A one-page guide for the fridge
When to call is on one side. Everyday tips for bag changes, skin and output are on the other. It's there for the moment you need it.
A handout on supplies
How the Stoma Appliance Scheme works and how to order, written down so you can read it in your own time.
About Kelly
- Kelly Taylor RN STN, Sydney. Over 20 years as a stoma nurse.
- Registered nurse since 1998. Trained in the UK, nursing in Sydney hospitals since 2003.
- Stomal Therapy Nurse since 2005
- Registered with Ahpra. You can check any nurse's registration on the Ahpra public register.
- Member of the Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses and Wounds Australia
- Supporting people in the community since 2017
I run Community Stoma Service, which supports people living with a stoma and the people who care for them. This session is about care, not products. I won't promote or sell any brand.
You can read more about my work at communitystomaservice.com.au.
How it works
Book your place
Pay securely online in a minute or two. One booking covers everyone in your home, and you don't need an account.
Send me one question
I'll email you after you book and ask what you most want to know. Your questions shape what I teach, and I'll get to as many as I can on the night.
Join on Zoom
I'll email your link with simple joining steps. A phone, tablet or computer will all work. Your camera and microphone stay off the whole time, so nobody sees your home and nobody hears you. I'll also text you the day before and an hour before.
The cost
First session price: $39 per household
This price is for the 29 October session. Future sessions will be $69 per household.
Per household means one booking covers everyone at home. A husband and a daughter can sit in together.
Can't make it live? Everyone who books gets the replay of my teaching for 30 days, then it comes down.
You'll get an email from me with your Zoom link.
If you can't come, email me before the session starts and I'll refund you in full. If I ever have to cancel or move the date, I'll refund you or move your place.
I keep a full recording of the night so I can plan the next session, and I delete that within 30 days. I also have the session written up so I can learn what carers are asking, with names and personal details taken out first. The replay shows only me, and I never share anything you say publicly.
You pay securely online. I use your name, email and mobile only to run this session. Read the terms and privacy policy.
If cost is the thing stopping you, email me at kelly@communitystomaservice.com.
Questions you might have
Who is this session for?
Adults caring for an adult with a stoma. That might be your partner, your husband or wife, or your mum or dad. My experience is with adults, so this session doesn't cover caring for a child with a stoma.
Can more than one of us join?
Yes. One booking covers everyone in your home, on one screen.
Will anyone see me or my home?
No. Your camera and microphone stay off for the whole hour, and only I can turn mine on. Nobody sees your room, and nobody hears your voice.
The one thing other people can see is the name you join with. If you'd rather keep that private, type just your first name, or anything you like, when Zoom asks for it.
If my microphone is off, how do I ask a question?
You type it. When you book I'll email and ask what you most want to know, and those questions shape the hour. On the night you can type a question to me at any time, and I'll answer as many as I can in the last part of the session. Only I see what you type, not the other carers.
I'm not confident with Zoom. Will I manage?
Most people do. I'll email you simple steps a few days before. If you get stuck, reply to that email and I'll help you get set up.
Will you answer my question?
I'll get to as many as I can. I can't give personal medical advice in a group session, because I'd need to look properly at what's happening. If your question needs that, I'll tell you. I also offer a free 15-minute call to talk it through and work out the next step.
What if I can't make the date?
You'll get the replay for 30 days. If you'd rather come live, email me at kelly@communitystomaservice.com and I'll tell you about the next one.
What if I'm worried about something right now?
Please don't wait for the session. Call your doctor or your stoma nurse. In an emergency, call 000.
You don't have to work this out by yourself
Spend an hour with a stoma nurse, alongside other people doing the same job you are.
Book your place for $39You'll get an email from me with your Zoom link.