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Three out of four people who have bowel or bladder control problems can be cured or helped to better manage their problem.

Kɔc ka diäk kɛm kɔc ka ŋuɛɛn cï alɛ̈c wälä yääc ken cak aa lëu bïk yök döc wälä a lëu bë ke kony bïk tuɛny-tuɛɛny kä ŋiɛc muk nhïïm.

What are continence products?

Continence products are used to manage the symptoms of poor bladder and bowel control. They may be used short term to help you while being treated or long term if the poor bladder and bowel control can’t be cured.

Continence advisors know about the broad range of products that can help manage bladder or bowel control problems. They can help you choose a product that will give you protection and confidence in your everyday life.

Your doctor or continence advisor can look for the cause of your problem and offer you some treatment. If you do nothing and just use pads or other continence products without trying treatment, your problem could get worse.

Kä kɔ ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc ye kä yïndä?

Kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc aa ye raan cï alɛ̈ɛ̈c cak ku raan cï yäc cak kony bë tuaany ŋiɛc guum. A lëu bë ke yiëk raan kaam tïït yen döny la cök tɛ̈ cïn yen döny pɛɛth wën cë lac yök.

Kɔɔc kɔc wɛ̈ɛ̈t biäk thiu thar a ŋic kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc juɛ̈ɛ̈c wën lëu bïk yï kony ba tuany ë aläny cë cak wälä yäny cë cak gur. Kɔc kä aa bï kony ba kë wën yen bï kony lɔc rin ba la tueŋ ke piër du ka yï tït döc.

Akïm wälä raan kɔc wɛ̈ɛ̈t biäk thiu thar a lëu bë kë cï yiëk wïc ku gɛ̈t döny bï kony. Na cïn dɛ̈d loi ku alɛ̈th path wälä kä Kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc kek luui yïn ku jaai döc, ka tuany du a lëu bë la ka juak ye yic.

What types of continence products are there?

Absorbent pads and pants

Pads and pants come in a range of sizes and how much urine they can absorb. Some pads are meant to be used one time only, and then be thrown out. Some other pads and pants can be washed and used many times. You can get special mesh/net pants that keep the pads from slipping. Some pads have ‘sticky’ strips which will stick to the pants to keep the pad in place.

Absorbent bed sheets and chair covers

In these products, the top layer that sits closest to the skin lets the urine through, but stays dry while the lower layers soak up urine. They are not meant to be used at the same time as disposable pads, as they work best when the skin is in direct contact with the sheet.

Penile sheaths / external catheters

Penile sheaths are made of silicone and are mostly self adhesive and lined with non-latex glue which sticks to the penis. The other, open end of the sheath is joined to a leg bag where urine can drain.

If the man is mobile, a leg bag can be used which is hidden under his clothes. The sheath can be joined to a two litre bag for overnight drainage. Skin reactions can be seen through the clear silicone as soon as they occur. Bags which connect to the sheath should always have wide bore tubing to let the urine flow into the bag with no backflow into the sheath which could cause it to come loose. Bags worn on the leg should be firmly fixed to the thigh or lower leg with the straps that come with the bag and emptied before they get heavy enough to pull off the sheath.

Other products to help toileting

Bedpans and urinals (male and female type) can be used if you are confined to bed. Commode chairs placed by the bed at night can help if you cannot walk to the toilet. Raised toilet seats and chairs that can be moved over the toilet can also help if you have trouble sitting on low toilets.

Ye kä kɔ ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc yïndä kek tɔ ̈u?

Alɛ̈th kuöth ku matholoon pïu jooc

Alɛ̈th kuöth ku matholoon pïu jooc aa ye looi ke tɛ̈k yiic ku lɛc yekä jooc aa tɛ̈k yiic. Alɛ̈th kuöth aa ye ceŋ kën yic tök, ku piir ke wei. Alɛ̈th kuöth kɔ̈k aa ye thuak ku benke ceŋ. A lëŋ bë gäm cabak wën bë alɛ̈th kuöth ya muök nhial bïk cï lööny piny. Alɛ̈th kuöth kɔ̈k aa leŋ kɔ̈ɔ̈th kë la nuet-nueet wën keek cɔl a nuɛt matholon yic bïk cï lööny piny.

Akät pïu jooc ku alɛ̈th pïu jooc ë thöc

Kä ye thiu thar dɔɔc kä aa ye kaac tɛ̈ wën keek cɔl a jooc lɛc alɔŋ thïn bë tɛ̈ wën cë rot wɛl raan guöp ya rëër ka cë thiaaŋ. Keek aa ceŋ kedhie kek alɛ̈th kuöth wën ye ceŋ tök ku piir ke wei, rin ye kek ŋiɛc luui tɛ̈ ye kek guöp gɔɔt.

Kuöth ë lɛc

Kuöth ë lɛc a ye rɛk cul thok ku duut ɣäm kɔ̈u bë lɛc jal ya guëër bei ku lek kuöth yic. Kuöth ë lɛc kën ee rëër ka cë duööt ɣäm kɔ̈u.

Ye raan cath, ka kuöth kën a ŋuɔt duut ɣäm bë thiaan alɛ̈th ye ceŋ yiic. Na ye wɛ̈ɛ̈r yic ka kuöth kën a com thok kuöth ŋuɛ̈ɛ̈n (lïtaa ka 2) dɛ̈d yic bë lɛc wɛ̈ɛ̈r muk ebën. Na leŋ kë wääc dɛ̈l kɔ̈u ka go tïŋ. Kuat kuöth wën ye lɛc wɛt thïn a dhil ya kuöth ŋuɛ̈ɛ̈n aländen ku a dhil ya luɔɔi tɛ̈ wën lɛc pëën bïk cï ben ya dhuk ciëën rin na yekä dhuk ciëën ka lëu bïk kuöth nuɛ̈l bei cul thok. Ku na ye kuöth ceŋ raan ye ɣäm ka dhil duööt apath wälä a lëu bë duööt diɛɛr kɔ̈u ku kä ye ye duööt aa bɛ̈n ke yeen ku a dhil ya wäl yic wei ka këc gua thiɛk apɛy bë rot nuɛ̈l bei cul thok.

Kä kɔ̈k raan kony bë la ɣön laac

Matholon agerem (kën röör ku kën diäär) a lëu bë gäm raan tɛ̈ yen raan wën ce rot jɔt. Thöny la roor cë tɔ̈ɔ̈u agerem lɔ̈ɔ̈m bï raan gua ya nyuc makɔ̈u a lëu bë piath ke raan cïn tɛ̈ yen cath bë la ɣön laac makɔ̈u. Thöny la roor wën cë jat nhial a lëu bë piath ke kɔɔc ce kɔ̈ɔ̈th la piny.

What should you think about when choosing a continence product?

The best product is one that works well, is comfortable and helps you to have a normal life. When choosing a continence product, you should think about:

1. Your individual bowel or bladder control problem

Your choice of product will depend upon your own control needs at any one time. Choose a pad that will hold how much urine you might pass and change it as soon as it is wet. This is better for you and cheaper than leaving a large pad in place for many hours. Wearing pads damp with urine or bowel motions can cause skin rashes or bladder infections. Also, any smell can be cut down if the pad is changed as soon as it is wet or soiled and the skin rinsed and dried before a new pad is used. Choose a pad that does not have a coloured plastic cover which can show through light coloured clothes or make a noise when you move.

2. Your personal lifestyle

Personal needs for work, home and your social life should also guide your choice of products. Continence advisors can help with advice on special products to use when you play sport or travel long distances.

3. Your mobility

The vast range of products means that you need to think about your habits and abilities to choose the best product for your problem. Such things as how easily you can get to the toilet or how easy you find changing pads can help to guide the right choice of product for you. There are many types of products, and one will be just right for you.

4. Supply of products

Some continence products can be bought in supermarkets and chemists, while others may be more easily bought from specialist medical suppliers. You might need expert help to choose the right one for you. Contact the National Continence Helpline (Freecall 1800 33 00 66) who provide you with advice or can put you in touch with a continence advisor in your area.

5. Disposal

Most disposable products can be thrown away in normal household rubbish. Continence products should NEVER be flushed down the toilet.

6. Washing guidelines

Reusable products should tell you how to wash them on the package when you buy them. Don’t buy reusable products if you don’t have a washing machine and dryer, or an outside clothes line which is easy for you to reach. Due to their absorbency they take longer to dry than normal underclothes and sheets, so ask for a sample to try first.

Yeŋö ba tak yic tɛ̈ lɔc yïn kä kɔ ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc?

Kë path kɛm kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc ee kë wën luui apath, ku le bath ku kony yïïn ba ŋiɛc pïr. Na lɔc kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc, ka yï tak käkä yiic:

1. Tuany duun alɛ̈ɛ̈c wälä yäc

Kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc ba lɔc a bë thok thiääk kek kuɔɔny yen wïc. Lɔc alanh kuöth wën bë lɛc lik bɛ̈n ya muk ku ye lac waar tɛ̈ cï yen tiap. Kën ye apath ke yïïn tɛ̈ thööŋ yïn yeen kek alanh kuöth wën lɛc juääc muk ku jɔl ya rëër ke lɛc thäät juääc. Na ye alɛ̈th kuöth leŋ yic lɛc wälä cëth ceŋ thäät juääc ka kën a lëu bï yiëk akuöök wälä aläny du a lëu bë wuɔɔk. Aya, ŋuäc guöp a lëu bë ye yic tek tɛ̈ ye yïn alɛ̈th kuöth lac bɛ̈ɛ̈y bei tɛ̈ cï kek tiap wälä tɛ̈ cïn la roor thïn ku lɔk guöp ku cɔl koth ku jal alanh kuöth dɛ̈d bɛn tääu. Lɔc alanh kuöth wën cë bë ya tïŋ alɛ̈th ku yiic ku cï ye la yiiuyiiu tɛ̈ cɛth yïn.

2. Tɛ̈ duun yïn pïïr thïn

Kä kuun wïc bïn luui, kä baai ku tɛ̈ bïn ceŋ thïn ke pamäth aa bï konya aya ba kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc ŋiɛc lɔc. Kɔɔc kɔc wɛ̈ɛ̈t biäk thiu thar aa lëu bïk yï ŋiɛc lɛ̈k kä ba ɣɔɔc bïn ya tuk wälä tɛ̈ le yïn keny tɛ̈ mec.

3. Tɛ̈ duun yïn cɛth thïn

Rin juɛ̈c kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc, ka path ba yï nhom tak tɛ̈ duun yïn luui thïn ku kä ye lëu luɔy ku jɔl kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc lɔc. Cëmën lɔn puɔɔl yic ba la ɣön laac wälä lɔn pɛth yen ba lɔ̈k yï ceth kuöth pïu jooc ku jɔl la yï wïc döc. Kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc aa juëc, ku tök yen a bë piath ke yïïn.

4. Tɛ̈ bï käkä ya bën thïn

Kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc aa lëu bë ɣɔɔc cuk dït ye kɔc ɣɔɔc mïïth thïn wälä ayaada wal, ku kɔ̈k aa ye ɣɔɔc tɛ̈n bɛ̈ɛ̈yakïïm wën ke guiir. Tɛkdä ka yïn a bë dhiɛl wïc kuɔɔny ba lɔc. Yup Telepunkuɔɔny ë kɔɔc ce lɛc guum (yum majan 1800 33 00 66)ku keek aa bï lɛ̈k wälä a lëu bïk yï tuööm thok kek akuɔnyakïm ë thiu thar thiääk ke yïïn.

5. Tɛ̈ bïn ke piɛɛr thïn tɛ̈ cïn thök

Kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc juääc aa ye piɛɛr wei cëmën thɛɛr ye anyuɔɔn piɛɛr wei. DUK kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc piir thöny la roor yic.

6. Dhël ye keek lɔɔk

Alɛ̈th kuöth wën ye lɔɔk ku benke ceŋ aa bë kɔ̈ɔ̈th laŋ athör kɔc lɛ̈k tɛ̈ ye lɔ̈k keek. Duk alɛ̈th kuöth ye lɔɔk ku benke ceŋ ɣɔc tɛ̈ cïn yïn makanalɔ̈k ku makäna käŋ kɔ̈r, wälä tɛ̈ wën ye alɛ̈th kör thïn aɣeer wën lëu ba dööt. Rin ye kek alɛ̈th pïu jooc, alɛ̈th kuöth kä aa ce lac thiaaŋ, ka yeen cɔl rot a kɔŋ gäm kë ba la them ba tïŋ tɛ̈ ye ye laak thïn ku kär.

Who pays for continence products?

Continence products can be costly and in most cases you will need to pay for them yourself.

If you have permanent and severe incontinence, and meet other eligibility criteria, the national Continence Aids Payment Scheme can assist you to meet some of the costs of continence products.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs also manages the Rehabilitation Appliances Program which you may access if you hold a Gold Card or eligible White Card.

Also, some state and territory governments provide services to support people affected by incontinence, including providing continence products. These services vary between states, and may include client assessment, education and support.

In most cases you will need to seek help from a health professional such as your doctor or continence nurse to access these services.

If you contact the National Continence Helpline you can get advice about the continence services that may be available for you.

Yeŋa ye n kä kɔ ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc ɣɔɔc?

Kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc aa wëëu juääc nyaai ku ɣɔ̈n juääc yiic ee raan yen kä ke ɣɔɔc.

Na ye raan cï thiu thar du nyin dït tet dööt, ku ye raan wën lëu bë kony, ka Aguir ë Wëëu ë Kuɔɔny ë Thiu Thar Baai Australia a kony yïïn wëëu abɛ̈k ba kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc ɣɔɔc.

Amatnhom ë Wël Kɔc Tɔŋ a leŋ aguir deen tɔ̈u yen kɔc kony ku a lëu bïk yï kony tɛ̈ muk yïn kan alöök wälä kan ɣertuur.

Aya, akumaa ë bɛ̈ɛ̈ykor kɔ̈k aa kɔɔc thäär thiu kony, gut kuɔɔny ë kä kɔ̈k ye thiu thar dɔɔc. Kony-koony aa tɛ̈k yiic bɛ̈i kor yiic, ku tɛkdä ka raan a bë kaŋ caath, ku piööc ku jɔl kony.

Ɣɔ̈n juääc yiic, ee raan cë wël kïïm kueen, raan cït akïm wälä akuɔnyakïm ë thiu thar, yen a bï dhiɛl kony ba kuɔɔny ë wëëu kën yök.

Na yup Telepun kuɔɔny ë kɔɔc ce lɛc guum, ka yïn a lëu bë yï wɛ̈ɛ̈t biäk konykoony ë thiu thar wën lëu ba ke yök.

Seek help

Qualified nurses are available if you call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66* (Monday to Friday, between 8.00am to 8.00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time) for free:

  • Information;
  • Advice; and
  • Leaflets.

If you have difficulty speaking or understanding English you can access the Helpline through the free Telephone Interpreter Service on 13 14 50. The phone will be answered in English, so please name the language you speak and wait on the phone. You will be connected to an interpreter who speaks your language. Tell the interpreter you wish to call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66. Wait on the phone to be connected and the interpreter will assist you to speak with a continence nurse advisor. All calls are confidential.

* Calls from mobile telephones are charged at applicable rates.

Wïc kuɔɔny

Mathaat akïm cï piöc aabï tɔ̈ na yï ayup telepun Kuɔɔny Baai käk thiu thar ee nïmra kënëic tök, bɛ̈t, gueu, diäk, diäk, gueu, dhetem, dhetem*/ 1800 33 00 66* (aköl Tök agut aköl Dhiëc ee Läätic (Monday- Friday) kaam thaa bɛ̈t nhiäk-duur (8am) ku thaa bɛ̈t thëëi (8pm) ee thaa kɔc Australia ciëŋ Ciëën) aye gäm kɔc abɛc:

  • Lëk/Wël;
  • Wëët; ku
  • Athör thiin ë lëk.

Na yïn acie ŋiëc jam thoŋ English apiɛth ka yïn alëu ba telpun luɔi ye kɔc Kuɔny wɛ̈r thokic yuɔ̈p. Cɔl nïmra kënë tök diäk, tök, ŋuan, dhiëc/13 14 50. Tueŋic, abï raan kɔŋ dhuk nhom ee thoŋ English, luel thoŋduɔ̈n ee yïn jam ku tiɛ̈ɛ̈t ee telepunic. Yïn abï tuɔ̈ɔ̈m thok kek raan kɔc waar thook/duwër jam thuɔŋdu, ku jal kek lɛ̈k wɛ̈tduɔ̈n wïc ee yïn kɔc Baai Kuɔɔny Käk thiu thar yuɔ̈p ee nïmra kënëic tök, bɛ̈t, gueu, diäk, diäk, gueu, dhetem, dhetem/ 1800 33 00 66. Tiɛ̈ɛ̈t ee telepunic ku bï yï gam ku duwër abï kony ba jam kek mathaat akïm kɔc lɛ̈k. Telepun duwër aye kɔc yup thïn abɛc/majan ee rin cïn en wëu ye wïc tënë yïn. Kek wël ëbɛ̈n aye thiaan yiic.

* Yup mobaalic ee wëu cam tëcït cɔ̈t baai ëtɛ̈n.

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Last Updated: Fri 30, Jul 2021
Last Reviewed: Tue 17, Mar 2020