Continence Support

This section connects you to continence subsidies, products, help and information under the following headings:

• Introduction
• What continence subsidies are available?
• Where do I find continence products?
• Where do I find help and information?

Introduction
Continence and constipation issues are common in the Parkinson’s community. Find information resources in Common Medical Issues or find general information from the national, state and local continence services below.

What continence subsidies are available?

Victorian Aids & Equipment Program
This Victorian Government program may subsidise non-disposable continence aids for eligible people who are frail or have a permanent disability.

Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) - 1800 807 487
This Federal Government program assists eligible people with permanent and severe incontinence related to Parkinson’s and other nominated conditions. Disposable and non-disposable continence aids may be provided up to a nominated level of funding. 

From 1 July 2010, the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) will replace the current CAAS.

The Continence Aids Payment Scheme is an Australian Government payment that will assist eligible people, who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the cost of their continence products.

It will be a direct payment to clients to increase flexibility and choice about where and when they purchase their continence products, including existing continence product suppliers, pharmacies or retail outlets, and on-line.

For more information about the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS), including answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) visit www.bladderbowel.gov.au

Intouch - 1300 366 455

Intouch is the service provider contracted by the Department of Health and Ageing to administer the CAAS.

You can read their CAAS to CAPS frequently asked questions.

Note: The CAAS/CAPS may affect your eligibility for continence assistance through the Victorian Aids & Equipment Program or the Veteran’s Rehabilitation Appliances Program. If you are concerned about this, contact the program managers to discuss further.

Veteran’s Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)

Continence products, and a range of other aids and equipment, are covered by this scheme. Gold and White Repatriation Card-holders must be assessed by health care professionals for eligibility.

Where do I find continence products?
Search for continence product retailers in the yellow pages or from the list of CAPS providers. We don’t endorse any particular retailer.

However, Independence Solutions may be a useful point of reference because of their large product range.

Where do I find help and information?

Continence Foundation of Australia
is the national peak body for continence management, promotion and advocacy. Visit their website for a range of information resources, factsheets and research updates on continence, bladder and bowel health.

Contact their National Continence Helpline - 1800 330 066 (8am-8pm), for advice, information and support on managing incontinence.

Victorian Continence Resource Centre (VCRC)
is the Victorian branch of the Continence Foundation of Australia. The resource centre is open to all members of the public, offering a continence nurse consultant who can provide:

• Continence health promotion and education
• Information, counseling and support services
• Continence literature, newsletter and resources, and
• Unbiased product information

The centre is located at St George’s Hospital, Kew. Make an appointment to visit or - 03 9816 8266 for further information and support.

Local Continence Clinics
Continence services operate out of a range of clinics, community health centres and hospitals across metropolitan and regional Victoria. Find contact details for metropolitan continence service locations (PDF File 56KB) and rural continence service locations (PDF File 62KB) here.

Find additional constipation resources in common medical issues.