Continence care


Having a good continence management program is key to achieving maximum independence. To assist you in achieving this goal, a wide range of continence products and accessories have been designed to help make life as trouble-free as possible.


Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS)

From 1 July 2010 the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) replaced CAAS. This Australian Government program assists eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence due to a neurological condition to meet some of the costs of continence products.

CAPS provides a direct payment of $489.95 per year for the purchase of continence products. The products can be bought from any supplier.

How do I apply?

To apply, obtain an application form from the Bladder & Bowel website or by calling the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066. Existing CAAS clients do not need to fill out a new CAPS application form.

Purchasing products?

  • Suppliers. The Continence Foundation has a directory where you can search for suppliers or call 1800 330 066 (National Continence Helpline) for a list. You can purchase from the supplier of your choice, including disability product stores or your local pharmacy. Shop wisely to make sure that your allowance lasts as long as possible. Ordering in bulk for a longer period will save on delivery costs.
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Some laxative products (Bisacodyl, Macrogol, Glycerol, Sorbitol with sodium citrate and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, and Sterculia With frangula bark) are available free under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. They are supplied by the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association in each state and territory. To be eligible to receive these items people must become members of the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association in their State. For more information phone the PBS Information Line: 1800 020 613.  Make sure that you are not using your allowance to purchase those items.
  • Pharmacies and Supermarkets. Some continence supplies can also be obtained from pharmacies and supermarkets.

Supplementing continence equipment benefit

If you have used up your entitlement and need more products, a limited range is available free of charge from state and territory equipment schemes. You will need to show that your CAPS funds have been entirely used. The eligibility requirements may vary, as will the types and variety of continence equipment. The programs include:

Further information regarding CAPS can be found on the Bladder and Bowel website.

 


Bowel Management

These sources provide extensive information on all aspects of bowel management.

  • Useful information on bowel issues from the Bladder and Bowel Dept of Health website.
  • Solving Common Bowel Problems is a plain English straight talking resource tool for people with spinal cord injury, published by the Rehabilitation Nursing Research and Development Unit, Royal Rehabilitation Centre, Sydney. Sections explain types of bowel care issues and their solutions. For a hard copy contact the National Continence Helpline: 1800 330 066 or order from the Continence Foundation of Australia.
  • Spinal Cord Injury Bowel Management - Detailed information on bowel management is available from Sci-Info website and from the US based website Apparelyzed.
  • CareCure Forums – check out other people’s experiences in the Care Forum.
  • Neurogenic Bowel: What You Should Know A Guide for People with Spinal Cord Injury - published by the Paralyzed Veterans of America.


Bladder Management

Proper management and regular check-ups are important to ensure that you will not get serious bladder and kidney infections. These sources provide extensive information on all aspects of bladder management.


Air Travel - Managing incontinence and flying

Managing incontinence on plane travel poses a number of issues. Cabin crew are not permitted to assist with personal care functions like emptying legbags and urinals. Also, they are not permitted to assist with transfers to/from the toilet. Airlines require that people who cannot care for themselves travel with a companion who can perform these and other necessary functions.

Before flying:

  • If you have an ‘every-other-day’ bowel regime, plan ahead to make sure you won’t have to ‘go’ on the plane. On a long trip that might mean that you have to schedule a stopover rather than take a direct flight with extended airport transfer time.
  • Although it is generally important to maintain adequate hydration you might plan to reduce your fluid consumption before boarding so that you need fewer bathroom visits or legbag emptying. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they are diuretics that can lead to dehydration.
  • Empty your legbag or self-cath immediately before boarding.

If you do need to use the aircraft restroom:

  • Accessible restrooms are available only on some wide body jets. On smaller aircraft, privacy is provided by a curtain in the adjacent aisle.
  • Aisle chairs are available on most aircraft and are brought on request by cabin crew who also provide assistance to/from the door of the aircraft restroom.
  • Although you might not usually wear one, an indwelling catheter may be a more convenient option during the flight.

If you know you will not use the restroom:

  • Use a large capacity leg bag for the flight.
  • Take enough spare disposable drainage bags or receptacles. These might be specialist equipment or drink containers, zip-lock bags etc.
  • At check-in, ask whether an empty seat can be allocated next to you so that you will have as much privacy as possible when tending to your personal care.
  • We have heard of a person who asked his neighbour to look out the window while he self-cathed!

For advice specific to your needs contact:

  • your local community continence health adviser;
  • the ParaQuad spinal nurse ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 02 8741 5674); or
  • Continence Foundation of Australia (1800 33 00 66).

 

Further information and key contacts


For more information please contact SCInfo. SCInfo is available on 02 9661 8855; 1800 819 775 or fax 02 9661 9598, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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