Comprehensive Guide to Continence Products and Support

Living with incontinence, or caring for someone who does, requires reliable information and effective solutions. In Australia, a wide range of high-quality continence aids is available to help manage this condition, promoting dignity, independence, and skin health. This guide provides a neutral, fact-based overview of the types of products available, their purposes, and how to navigate support systems like the NDIS.

Understanding Incontinence and the Goal of Continence Care

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control. It is a common medical condition, not a normal part of ageing, and can affect people of all ages for various reasons, including neurological conditions, post-surgical effects, and pelvic floor weakness¹. The primary goal of continence management is to improve quality of life by maintaining skin integrity, preventing infections, and supporting social participation and psychological well-being.

A Closer Look at Continence Products and Their Uses

Selecting the right continence products depends on individual needs, including the type and severity of incontinence, mobility, and personal preference. The Australian market offers a diverse selection designed for different situations.

Absorbent Products for Daily Management

These are the most commonly used continence aids, absorbing and retaining urine or faecal matter to keep the skin dry.

• Incontinence Pads and Liners: Ideal for light to moderate leakage, discreet, and worn inside regular underwear.
• Incontinence Underwear and Pull-Ups: Suitable for moderate to heavy incontinence, resembling regular underwear, and ideal for individuals with good mobility.
• All-in-One Incontinence Briefs/Nappies: Featuring re-fastenable tabs for heavy incontinence, suitable for individuals with limited mobility without removing clothing.

Reusable and Bed Protection Solutions

For economic and environmental reasons, or overnight protection, these products are essential.

• Reusable Incontinence Pads: Washable, absorbent fabrics offer a sustainable option for light to moderate leakage.
• Incontinence Bed Pads and Mattress Protectors: Waterproof sheets and mattress covers protect bedding from moisture, extend mattress life, and maintain hygiene, preventing skin breakdown and pressure injuries².

Catheters and Drainage Systems

For individuals who cannot empty their bladder effectively, intermittent or indwelling catheters may be recommended by healthcare professionals.

• Male and Female Catheters: Intermittent catheters drain the bladder periodically and are available in various sizes. Choice should be guided by a doctor or continence nurse.
• Catheter Drainage Bags: Collect urine from an indwelling catheter. Leg bags allow daytime mobility, while larger night bags are used while sleeping, requiring strict hygiene to prevent UTIs³.

Navigating Support: The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Eligible participants can receive funding for necessary continence products under the NDIS as "consumables." Access requires a report from a GP or continence nurse linking the need for specific aids to the participant's disability, demonstrating how these products help them achieve their goals.

The Science of Skin Health and Incontinence

Prolonged moisture exposure can cause incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), a form of skin irritation⁴. Correct absorbent products that wick moisture away are key preventive tools. A structured skin care regimen—including gentle cleansing, moisturising, and barrier creams—is strongly supported by clinical evidence to maintain skin integrity and prevent complications⁴.

About Plan Access

Plan Access is an Australian marketplace making everyday essentials—including continence products—accessible to people living with disability. The platform offers NDIS-approved items from trusted brands, simple checkout options, itemised receipts, fast delivery, transparent pricing, and dedicated customer support, helping participants and carers access products with confidence.

Conclusion: Empowerment Through Informed Choice

Effective incontinence management involves selecting the right products, understanding proper skin care, and accessing available support. Consulting healthcare professionals ensures informed decisions that enhance comfort, confidence, and overall quality of life.

Ready to explore your options further? Browse the Plan Access marketplace to discover a wide range of continence products and wellbeing essentials for all NDIS participants.

References

¹ World Health Organization. (2018). *Ageing and health*. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health

² Beeckman, D. (2017). A decade of research on Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD). *Journal of Tissue Viability*, 26(1), 47-56.

³ Gould, C. V., et al. (2010). *Guideline for prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections 2009*. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 31(4), 319-326.

⁴ Gray, M., et al. (2012). Incontinence-associated dermatitis: a comprehensive review. *Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing*, 39(1), 61-74.