How To Manage Incontinence

It’s more common than you might think. For many reasons–like motherhood, ageing, and disability–5 million Australians experience incontinence. 

Fortunately, in our modern world, with a range of technologies and aids, there are many ways to manage incontinence.

Finding the right aid for a participant can improve quality of life, increase comfort, make management easier, and even stop incontinence altogether. In most cases, you can claim for incontinence products through your NDIS plan.

Get an assessment

Every participant is different. And when it comes to something personal like incontinence, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s because the right product will vary depending on a few factors including physical capabilities, the type of incontinence, comfort, and personal preferences.   

To find the best possible product for your participant, it can be very useful to speak to a professional first. A Nurse Continence Specialist is someone highly experienced in incontinence. These nurses can complete a full assessment then recommend the right product or products specifically for that person. 

A nurse may suggest a range of products such as the following: 

Incontinence underwear 

Gone are the days where single-use sanitary towels were the only option. With many innovations available on the market, it’s now common for people with incontinence to use reusable underwear.

Companies like Modibodi, Bonds, and Night N Day produce underwear specifically designed for incontinence. There’s a range of washable underwear with different brands with leak-proof protection from light leaks, to full bladder or bowel loss elimination.   

Incontinence underwear can be a great option for those who don’t like the feel of incontinence pads or single-use underwear as they feel more similar to typical underwear. They can also be washed like ordinary articles of clothing, potentially saving significantly on the cost of disposable incontinence products. 

Night N Day even have a promo code for first time orders! Just apply the code MYAUTONOMY10 at the checkout for 10% off your first order.

Smartwatch reminder 

It’s often forgotten in the disability sector, that for some people, a reminder can avoid incontinence altogether. 

Some participants find that a smartwatch, with a reminder to use the bathroom set every hour or two, is enough to avoid incontinence. 

A simple device like this can be very empowering for participants and their families and can help promote independence and reduce the need to purchase other incontinence products.  If your allied health professional recommends a smartwatch for continence reminders, you can even purchase this using your plan managed funds and myOneStepPay. 

Protective bedding 

To ensure people with incontinence can enjoy a great sleep, while keeping their bed protected, specifically designed bedding can make all the difference.

With waterproof bedding on the market including bedsheets, doonas, pillows, and mattress protectors, having a dry night’s sleep is possible.

Incontinence bedding is designed to draw liquid away from a person’s body, to keep a person comfortable all night. You can get even reusable and disposable varieties of bedding. 

Urology products 

For people who experience certain conditions, urology products, like catheters, can be the best option. While catheters can be more expensive, they can be funded by the NDIS if considered necessary.

A medical professional is the best person to advise if a catheter, or another urology product, is right for your participant. In other cases, a doctor may also recommend surgery, as a more permanent solution to incontinence. 

Suitable swimwear 

Just because a person experiences incontinence, it shouldn’t mean they can’t participate in fun and therapeutic activities like swimming. 

Products specifically designed for swimming with incontinence–like swim shorts and swim nappies––can give participants the confidence to hop in a pool while keeping them protected. These can also be purchased in reusable and disposable options. 

We’re here to help 

At myAutonomy, we’re here to help you use your NDIS funding in the ways that support you or your participants best. 

And we can order products on your behalf. With myOneStepPay we manage the process of ordering, delivery, and claiming through the NDIS–all so you don’t have to. 

Get in touch with us today to see how we can help. Email us at [email protected] or call us on 1300 60 33 89.