Managing continence can be a sensitive and sometimes complex part of everyday life for people living with disability. The right assessment can help identify continence needs, recommend suitable products and establish practical strategies for ongoing management.

For eligible NDIS participants, a continence assessment can also provide important evidence when requesting disability-related continence supports through an NDIS plan.

An assessment may look at how a person's disability affects their ability to manage incontinence, the continence products or supports they currently use, and what additional assistance may be appropriate. The NDIS may fund disability-related health supports where they meet the relevant funding requirements.

What Is an NDIS Continence Assessment?

An NDIS continence assessment is an assessment of a participant's continence needs and how their disability affects their ability to manage those needs.

It can help identify:

• The participant's current continence needs
• Functional difficulties associated with their disability
• Existing continence management strategies
• Continence products currently being used
• Whether different products or supports may be more suitable
• Assistance required for daily continence management
• Recommendations for ongoing support
• Evidence that may be required for NDIS funding

The assessment should provide a clear picture of the participant's circumstances and explain why particular continence supports may be needed because of their disability.

A continence assessment is not simply about choosing a product. It should consider the person's individual needs, daily routine, functional abilities, preferences and goals.

Who Can Do a Continence Assessment for NDIS Participants?

A continence assessment should be completed by an appropriately qualified health professional with relevant experience.

The NDIS identifies a continence nurse as one professional who can provide evidence for a continence-related assistive technology assessment. Depending on the circumstances, evidence may also come from an appropriately qualified allied health professional.

A suitable professional can help assess the participant's needs and provide recommendations about continence products, management strategies and related supports.

For participants with more complex needs, a specialist assessment may be appropriate.

What Does a Continence Assessment Include?

A continence assessment is tailored to the individual. The information collected may include:

Continence History

The assessment may consider the participant's continence history, current concerns and how these affect everyday activities.

Bladder and Bowel Patterns

Depending on the participant's needs, the assessment may consider factors such as:

• Frequency
• Urgency
• Leakage
• Toileting patterns
• Bowel habits
• Night-time continence needs
• Changes in continence

Functional Ability

The assessment may consider how the participant's disability affects their ability to:

• Recognise the need to use the toilet
• Reach and use bathroom facilities
• Manage clothing
• Transfer safely
• Manage continence products
• Maintain personal hygiene
• Communicate their needs
• Complete their continence routine independently

Existing Continence Products

The assessment may document products already being used, how frequently they are used and whether they are meeting the participant's needs.

The NDIS says a continence-related assistive technology assessment should include information about products already used or tested and how they support the participant's goals.

Current Support

The assessment may also consider who currently assists the participant and what type of support is required.

This can help identify whether additional assistance, education, equipment or other disability-related supports may be appropriate.

Recommendations

A qualified professional can provide recommendations based on the participant's individual circumstances.

Recommendations may relate to:

• Continence products
• Continence aids
• Daily management strategies
• Equipment
• Support worker assistance
• Education and training
• Further professional support
• Ongoing review

How to Get a Continence Assessment Through the NDIS

If you or someone you support has a disability-related continence need, the first step is to discuss the situation with your NDIS contact, support coordinator, or another relevant professional.

The process may involve:

1. Identify the Need

Explain how the participant's disability affects their continence management and everyday activities.

2. Arrange an Assessment

An appropriately qualified health professional can assess the participant's continence needs.

3. Gather Supporting Evidence

The assessment should explain the participant's circumstances and provide evidence supporting recommended continence products or services.

4. Discuss the Recommendations

The participant, family, carer and relevant support professionals can consider the recommendations and determine what support may be appropriate.

5. Submit the Required Information

The NDIS may require assessment reports, recommendations, product information or other evidence when considering continence-related supports.

The NDIS currently provides a Continence-Related Assistive Technology Assessment Template to help health professionals provide the information required. Professionals do not have to use the template, but the evidence provided needs to contain the required information.

Does the NDIS Fund Continence Assessments?

The NDIS may fund disability-related health supports when they relate to a participant's disability and meet the relevant NDIS funding requirements.

Continence is specifically included among the types of disability-related health supports the NDIS may fund.

However, not every continence-related health service is automatically funded by the NDIS.

The NDIS distinguishes between disability-related health supports and ordinary health services that remain the responsibility of the mainstream health system.

For this reason, funding depends on the participant's individual circumstances and the relationship between their continence needs and disability.

How Much Does an NDIS Continence Assessment Cost?

There is no single price that applies to every NDIS continence assessment.

The cost can depend on factors such as:

• The professional providing the assessment
• The complexity of the participant's needs
• The time required for the assessment
• Whether the assessment takes place at home or another location
• Travel requirements
• Whether follow-up support is required
• Current NDIS pricing arrangements

Participants should check their current NDIS plan and the applicable pricing arrangements before arranging a service.

If a provider requires a quote or additional information, this should be discussed before the assessment takes place.

What Continence Products Can the NDIS Fund?

Depending on a participant's circumstances and NDIS funding arrangements, disability-related continence supports may include certain continence products and aids.

Examples can include:

• Continence pads
• Absorbent pull-ups
• Absorbent briefs
• Mattress protectors
• Catheters
• Continence change kits
• Other appropriate continence aids

The NDIS has provided examples of funding for continence consumables where they are related to a participant's disability and meet the relevant funding criteria.

However, the products and quantities a participant may receive depend on their individual needs and circumstances.

A continence assessment can help provide evidence for why particular products or supports are required.

How Does a Continence Nurse Help?

A continence nurse can play an important role in helping an NDIS participant understand and manage their continence needs.

Depending on their qualifications and scope of practice, a continence nurse may assist with:

• Continence assessment
• Identifying functional continence needs
• Product recommendations
• Continence management strategies
• Education and training
• Supporting carers and family members
• Training support workers
• Reviewing existing continence routines
• Providing recommendations for ongoing management

The NDIS recognises continence nurses as a potential source of evidence for continence-related assistive technology assessments.

What Happens After a Continence Assessment?

A continence assessment should be more than a one-off appointment.

Once the assessment has been completed, the recommendations can help establish an ongoing management approach.

This may involve:

Assessment → Recommendations → Product selection → Education → Ongoing management → Review

As a participant's needs change, their continence management approach may also need to be reviewed.

For example, changes in mobility, health, medication, daily routines or living arrangements may affect the type of continence support required.

Can a Continence Assessment Be Done at Home?

Depending on the provider and the participant's circumstances, a continence assessment may be able to take place in the participant's home.

A home-based assessment can provide useful context because the professional can understand the participant's actual environment and daily routine.

This may be particularly valuable for participants who have difficulty travelling to major health services.

For people living in regional or remote communities, access to specialist health support can be more challenging. The NDIS currently recognises the importance of access to continence product providers and services in rural and remote areas.

Continence Assessment and Management in Alice Springs and Remote Communities

For NDIS participants living in Alice Springs and surrounding communities, accessing specialist continence support may not always be straightforward.

Leah Bett Nursing Services provides Continence Assessments and Management and can travel into communities to provide support for participants who live away from major health services.

The service can assist with:

• Continence assessments
• Recommendations for ongoing management
• Suitable continence and containment products
• Education and training
• Support for carers and family members
• Education for health and care professionals
• Working with a participant's Coordinator of Supports

Taking the service into the community can make it easier for participants to access appropriate nursing support without always needing to travel to a major centre.

How Leah Bett Nursing Services Can Help

Leah Bett Nursing Services provides continence assessment and management support tailored to the individual participant.

Following an assessment, recommendations can help identify suitable continence management strategies and products based on the participant's needs.

Where appropriate, Leah Bett Nursing Services can also work alongside the participant's Coordinator of Supports, family members, carers and other professionals involved in their care.

Education and training can also be provided to help the people supporting the participant understand their continence needs and ongoing management requirements.

If you live away from major health services, the Leah Bett Nursing Services team can travel into communities to provide this support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can do a continence assessment for NDIS?

A continence assessment should be completed by an appropriately qualified health professional with relevant expertise. The NDIS identifies continence nurses and appropriately qualified allied health professionals as potential sources of evidence for continence-related assistive technology assessments.

How much does an NDIS continence assessment cost?

There is no single cost for every assessment. Pricing can depend on the professional, assessment complexity, time required, location and travel. Check current NDIS pricing arrangements and discuss fees with the provider before booking.

What does a continence assessment include?

It can include information about continence history, functional limitations, existing products, current support arrangements, daily needs and recommendations for appropriate continence supports.

How do I get a continence assessment?

Talk to your my NDIS contact, support coordinator or relevant healthcare professional about your continence needs. You may then be referred to an appropriately qualified professional for an assessment and supporting evidence.

What continence products are provided by the NDIS?

Depending on individual circumstances and funding requirements, NDIS-funded continence supports may include products such as pads, absorbent pull-ups or briefs, mattress protectors, catheters and other continence aids. The specific products and quantities depend on the participant's needs and funding arrangements.

Does the NDIS pay for continence products?

The NDIS may fund certain continence products where they are disability-related supports and meet the applicable NDIS funding criteria. The participant may need evidence showing why the products are required because of their disability.

Can a continence nurse visit me at home?

Depending on the provider and service arrangements, continence assessment and management support may be available in the participant's home. Leah Bett Nursing Services also travels into communities to support participants who live away from major health services.

Can I get a continence assessment if I live in a remote community?

Yes, access to appropriate assessment and support should be discussed with your NDIS contact, support coordinator and a suitable health professional. Leah Bett Nursing Services provides continence assessment and management support to participants in communities away from major health services.

Need a Continence Assessment in Alice Springs or Surrounding Communities?

Continence needs can affect comfort, independence, dignity and everyday life. The right assessment can help identify practical strategies and appropriate supports for ongoing management.

Leah Bett Nursing Services provides Continence Assessments and Management, including support with recommendations, continence products, education and ongoing management.

If you or someone you support needs a continence assessment, contact Leah Bett Nursing Services or ask your Coordinator of Supports to get in touch with the team.