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Caring for someone with continence problems
For carers, incontinence can sometimes be the last straw. Loss of bladder or bowel control in the person you look after can sometimes tip the balance between caring at home or seeking help from an aged care home. When you’re feeling at a loss it’s good to know that help is at hand and there are products, aids and techniques available to help you deal with all the problems involved.
National Continence Helpline
Call this free phone service on 1800 330 066 between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday, for information, counselling and referrals to local sources of help.
Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS)
The Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) is an Australian Government program that assists eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet the cost of continence products. You can contact the free Continence Aids Assistance Scheme Helpline on 1300 366 455.
Continence nurse advisers
Continence nurse advisers are registered nurses who specialise in the treatment of incontinence. They may be found in urology departments of public outpatient clinics or public hospitals, in community nursing services, in community therapy clinics or in private nursing services. They provide professional assessments and give advice on treatments such as toilet training programs and pelvic floor muscle exercises, as well as advising on continence equipment and products. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066 to find a local continence nurse adviser for the person you care for.
Doctors
Doctors provide medical assessment and treatment options, review and prescribe medications, order clinical tests, and may refer you to a medical specialist, a continence nurse adviser or a continence physiotherapist, or the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Continence physiotherapists
Continence physiotherapists specialise in the treatment of incontinence and they’re generally found in public outpatient clinics for women, public hospitals or in private physiotherapy practices. Contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066 to find a local continence physiotherapist.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists advise on medications and sell continence products. They may also keep information leaflets on incontinence and on local clinics for treatment.
Medical specialists
Medical specialists are doctors who specialise in the treatment of bladder and bowel problems. Specialists you may encounter are urologists, who treat both men and women, gynaecologists (more information) and bowel specialists (more information). You must be referred to a medical specialist by a doctor.
The National Public Toilet Map provides information on the location of over 14,000 public toilets throughout Australia. It shows opening hours and whether there is disability access. The map can assist carers in planning an outing or longer trips.
Read more: About services for continence management
Common questions on this topic:
- Is incontinence more common in women or men?
- Now that Dad is getting older he is having trouble with his bladder - leaking a bit day or night. Can anything be done about this?
- Where can I get continence management equipment free or cheap?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions
