Continence management and NDIS planning
The following video has been developed to help participants, their families and carers think about continence issues when developing their NDIS plan.
Preparing for a planning meeting with a National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Planner, Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or early childhood partner is important so to get the best from your NDIS funding. Collect information and evidence about your situation including your incontinence prior to any planning meeting. There are some helpful resources available, such as the NDIS website.
If your incontinence is directly related to your disability, your continence products and supports may be funded through NDIS. These products and supports need to be included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS may fund a continence assessment or continence review with a Nurse Continence Specialist to develop a continence management plan that includes recommended continence products. The NDIS website has information on what this may include.
Ask yourself:
- Which continence products do I use now?
- Are the products that I am currently using managing my incontinence effectively?
- Should I have a continence review to determine if my needs have changed since my last assessment?
- Is my incontinence preventing me from achieving my goals? If so, what can be done to improve the situation?
- Can my incontinence be better managed?
You may not be able to answer all these questions. You can call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 for information about local continence services and suitable continence products.
If you are eligible for an NDIS funded plan that includes continence products and you are currently receiving the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) funding, you will need to contact CAPS to stop your CAPS payments when your plan has been approved. If your continence issues are not due to your disability and not covered in your NDIS plan, you may be eligible for CAPS.
You can choose from where and how often you receive continence products. Think about the storage of continence products and make sure delivery charges are included in your plan.
What should NDIA Planners and LACs do to support a participant with incontinence?
It is vital that anyone assisting in the development of NDIS plans (including NDIA planners, LACs, or early childhood partners or other service providers, such as support coordinators) understands the importance of taking into account the participant's continence needs.
The following video provides information for NDIA planners, LACs, or early childhood partners and other service providers about the importance of discussing incontinence during the NDIS planning process with a participant.