31/08/2026
A continence assessment must be individualised.
I’ve recently seen two continence reports from the same provider, for two completely different families.
Both reports were 32 pages long.
And yet, when I spoke with the families, they couldn’t identify anything particularly useful they had taken away from them.
No practical strategies they could implement.
No helpful tips specific to their situation.
No clear explanation of why the continence issues were occurring.
No meaningful, individualised plan that made life easier.
And it got me thinking…
When did continence assessment become about the number of pages in the report rather than the quality of the assessment and the usefulness of the recommendations?
A good continence assessment isn’t a template filled with information. It should be a clinical process that looks at the person, their environment, their routines, their medications, mobility, cognition, fluid intake, bowel function, toileting habits, products, support network and, importantly, what actually matters to them.
The recommendations should make sense for that individual and their circumstances.
Sometimes the most valuable recommendation might be quite simple.
A change to toileting timing.
A medication review.
A different product—or using the existing product differently.
Addressing constipation.
Changing fluid habits.
Improving access to the toilet.
A conversation with a GP or other health professional.
Or simply helping a family understand what is happening and what they can realistically do about it.
More words don’t necessarily mean more clinical value.
After 23 years working in continence care, I’ve learnt that a good assessment should leave the person, family or support team thinking:
“Right. We understand what’s happening, and we know what to try next.”
That’s the measure I care about 👍🏻
Not how many pages I can produce. We all know that NDIS officials “don’t have time to read them”.
Individualised. Practical. Clinically meaningful.
That’s what a continence assessment should be. 👏🏻
