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CONTINENCE ASSESSMENT
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CONTINENCE ASSESSMENT

Understanding Continence Assessments, A Comprehensive Guide

First Light Nursing Services

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Understanding Continence Assessments!

In this blog post, we delve into the intricacies of continence assessments, exploring their importance, process, and significance in the NDIS. This post is aimed at everyone from the participant to the family and co-ordinators.

1. Why do continence assessments exist in the NDIS framework?

Continence assessments exist within the NDIS framework to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to appropriate support and services to manage their continence needs effectively.

By conducting assessments, the NDIS can identify specific requirements and develop tailored plans that address continence issues, including access to assistive devices, continence products, and allied health support.

These assessments aim to improve the quality of life, independence, and dignity of participants by providing necessary assistance and resources to manage continence challenges.

2. Who Needs One?

Continence Assessments fall under the disability related health support category in the NDIS which means the following:

A disability-related health support is a support you may need to help you manage a health condition directly because of your disability. Or, to help you to manage your health or health condition if your disability means you can’t do this on your own.

In our experience almost everyone with a disability who has continence challenges falls under the umbrella of a disability related health support for continence. What this practically means is that if you have continence challenges and are on the NDIS you should get a continence assessment completed.

3. The benefits of a continence assessment

  • Tailored Support Plans: Assessments identify individual continence needs, enabling the development of personalised support plans that address specific challenges and goals.
  • Access to Resources: Participants gain access to essential continence products, assistive devices, and aids funded through the NDIS to support their management of bladder and bowel function.
  • Improved Quality of Life: By addressing continence issues effectively, individuals can experience enhanced comfort, dignity, and independence in their daily lives, leading to an improved overall quality of life.
  • Prevention of Complications: Early identification of continence issues allows for timely intervention and management, reducing the risk of complications such as urinary tract infections, skin breakdown, or social isolation.
  • Empowerment and Education: Participants receive education and guidance on continence management strategies, empowering them to take control of their health and well-being and make informed decisions regarding their care.
  • Holistic Approach to Care: Continence assessments consider individual needs within the context of broader health and disability support requirements, ensuring a holistic approach to participant care and coordination with other NDIS-funded services.
  • Assist with providing evidence for access to more disability support worker funding: if this is required for assistance with personal care and hygiene.

To learn about our process click here

4. What does the process look like?

The assessment is typically completed by a nurse. It is completed over a 6 week period which involves meeting the participant in person or online and gathering all other required information. This can be from family, support workers and other allied health practitioners.

Our nurse will than complete the report which on average is between 4000 and 6000 words and includes the following and more:

  • Participant background
  • Functional assessment
  • Bowel and bladder assessment
  • Current products in use
  • Detailed recommendations for products and supports
  • Quotes and costing for the NDIS planner

5. What Additional Recommendations Are Commonly Made?

A good continence assessment will make in depth recommendations to support the participants NDIS goals as well as manage their continence optimally.

Often the recommendations include:

  • Increased support worker hours to assist with personal care, or toilet timing.
  • Continence products and aids to support the participant.
  • Additional allied health input.
  • Bowel management or urinary management support plans.
  • Contexualised training for support workers and family to assist with implementation of support plans.
  • Creation of support plans related continence, such as bowel management plans and catheter care plans.
  • Attending multidiscplinary team meetings to assist with ongoing support.


6. The Importance of Understanding the NDIS Operational Guidelines

The NDIS won't just fund everything. Our recommendations have to fall under the operational guidelines which can be found here:

https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/supports-you-can-access-menu/continence-supports

We have been completing these assessments for over 3 years and understand what can and can not be funded.