Money Talks: DISPOSABLE vs REUSABLE CONTINENCE AIDS (PRODUCTS)

Money Talks: DISPOSABLE vs REUSABLE CONTINENCE AIDS (PRODUCTS)

Living with bladder or bowel problems that cause incontinence can come at a huge cost. It can impact all areas of your life, from work, to spending time with family and friends and taking part in your favourite activities. It can affect your confidence and lead to social isolation, depression and anxiety.

Continence problems also come at a huge financial cost. The Economic Cost of Incontinence in Australia report by Continence Health Australia found that 99% of people experiencing incontinence were using pads, liners, or pull-ups at an average cost of $1,835 per year. This is on top of other products such as chair or bed mats ($144 per year), hygiene and odour control products ($76 per year), and skin care products such as barrier creams and wipes ($48 per year).

With this in mind, how can you maximise your confidence and comfort, while also maximising your budget? In recent years reusable continence pads and pants have come a long way, but there are still pros and cons to all products.

1 IN 4 AUSTRALIANS ARE AFFECTED BY BLADDER AND BOWEL CONTROL HEALTH ISSUES, HOWEVER, IT IS RARELY TALKED ABOUT AND PEOPLE AREN’T AWARE THAT HELP IS AVAILABLE.

Did you know that there are specific products to help manage adult incontinence?

Women’s sanitary pads are not a good product to use because they aren’t designed to absorb urine or faeces leakages. Ask at your local pharmacy or call the National Continence Helpline for more information.

REUSABLE PRODUCTS:

• Can be more discreet as they look more like underwear

• Can be more comfortable and kinder to skin

• You don’t have to keep going to the shop to buy more, or worry about running out

• Time and money to wash them

• Have to be cared for correctly to avoid skin irritation

• Can't usually absorb as high volume as disposable

• More expensive to buy, but you can reuse them

DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS:

• Can absorb high volumes of urine or faeces

• No washing, just throw away

• Easier when going out as you don’t have to carry the used ones with you (if you can find a suitable bin)

• Cheaper to buy initially

• Need space to store them

• Cost can add up because you have to buy more

• Friction can irritate skin, might have to try different products to find one that works for youREUSABLE PRODUCTS:

CALL THE NATIONAL CONTINENCE HELPLINE 1800 33 00 66 (8AM-8PM AEST MON-FRI) FOR FREE ADVICE FROM A NURSE CONTINENCE SPECIALIST

Where to get help with funding for continence aids (products)

The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is an Australian Federal Government scheme that provides a payment to assist eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the cost of their continence products.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR CAPS FUNDING?

• People over five years of age

• Australian citizens or permanent residents

• Have permanent and severe incontinence of bladder and/or bowel caused by an eligible condition

Visit health.gov.au/our-work/continence-aids-paymentscheme-caps for more information or call the National Continence Helpline 1800 33 00 66 for free and confidential advice on funding for continence products.