Incontinence is a prevalent yet often overlooked health condition in the Australian population. There is a social stigma around incontinence, and people may be reluctant to seek help due to embarrassment or because they do not recognise it as a medical problem, considering it as a normal part of childbirth or ageing (Rantell, 2023). There is an incorrect assumption that incontinence is inevitable and untreatable.
The Economic Cost of Incontinence in Australia report, released in June 2024, highlights that in 2023, there were over 7.2 million people with incontinence in Australia (approximately 27.89 per cent of the Australian population) (Deloitte Access Economics, 2024). This is equivalent to 1 in 3 people over 15 years of age. Women are twice as likely to have incontinence as men, and although there is a higher rate of incontinence when older, 71 per cent of people with incontinence are younger than 65 years (Deloitte Access Economics, 2024). This 2024 report shows a 53 per cent increase in people suffering from incontinence in Australia since the last national survey was completed in 2010 (Deloitte Access Economics, 2024).
The economic burden of managing incontinence is substantial. The condition necessitates expenditure on healthcare services, medications, specialised garments, and hygiene products. In Australia, the cumulative cost of care for incontinence annually is $100.4 billion, including costs such as medical expenses, continence aids and healthcare consumption ($66.6 billion), and wellbeing costs such as reduced quality of life and employment ($33.8 billion) (Deloitte Access Economics, 2024).
Incontinence is not only a financial concern but also a social issue that impacts the dignity, quality of life, and mental health of those affected, impacting individuals’ ability to participate in work and social activities (Pizzol et al., 2021).
Conditions such as cardiovascular disease and breast cancer attract a lot of awareness and resources; however, incontinence does not, yet it is prevalent and has profound effects on quality of life and mental wellbeing.
There are continence nurse specialists dedicated to managing incontinence and related conditions. Their advanced training equips them to provide specialised care, including complex assessments, advanced treatments, and patient advocacy.
However, you do not need to be a specialist. As frontline healthcare providers, all nurses have a crucial role in mitigating its effects and providing holistic care to individuals coping with incontinence. Healthcare settings vary widely, from hospitals and residential care facilities to community and home environments, but the role of nurses in addressing continence issues remains equally vital across each.
Nurses can foster a safe environment where people feel comfortable discussing their condition without fear of judgment. Listening with empathy and providing reassurance can help alleviate the stigma and shame associated with incontinence.
Being aware of educational resources, services, and professional links will assist you in providing care and support. As nurses, we can identify those at risk of developing or experiencing incontinence and assist in providing a confidential means of accessing services to obtain treatment in a timely and effective manner.
Continence Health Australia, formerly Continence Foundation of Australia, is pivotal in providing resources, information on continence service providers and support for people suffering from incontinence. For professionals, there is access to continence education, academic resources, and continence journals. This organisation provides a hotline where the person may speak to a continence nurse specialist and be referred to one in their area.
There is also valuable information and support available by contacting the nursing specialty group. The Continence Nurses Society of Australia provides contact details to assist in accessing a continence nurse within each state and territory.
Despite nurses’ critical role, continence care is often under-prioritised due to stigma, lack of resources, or inadequate training. Addressing these challenges requires changes, such as increased funding, enhanced training programs, and awareness campaigns.
As nurses, we can help dismiss misconceptions and challenge attitudes. We need to convey the message that for people suffering from incontinence, contrary to common belief, there are many treatments to either cure or assist in managing the condition.
Find out more about ACN’s single unit of study, Continence Management.
Author: Elizabeth Moran MACN
ACN Nurse Educator, Higher Education
References
Deloitte Access Economics. (2024). Economic cost of incontinence in Australia. https://www.continence.org.au/about-us/our-work/economic-cost-incontinence
Pizzol, D., Demurtas, J., Celotto, S., Maggi, S., Smith, L., Angiolelli, G., Trott, M., Yang, L., & Veronese, N. (2021). Urinary incontinence and quality of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 33(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01712-y
Rantell, A. (2023). Tackling the stigma of incontinence. In L. Cardozo, & D. Stakin (Eds.), Female urology and urogynecology (5th ed., p. 10–16). CRC Press.
