Continence aid prices are on the rise
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Today, we’ll tackle a sensitive but important topic – incontinence and continence aids.
Incontinence is no small matter in Australia. More than 5 million Australians have some form of it. While it can occur at any age, it is more common among older adults, especially women. The condition is prevalent among the elderly because of changes in the body due to ageing.
It is also expensive - Aussies spent $67 billion to manage the condition in 2010, which is when Deloitte last conducted its survey on the economic impact of incontinence in the country. The cost has steeply risen over the last decade, especially when factoring in inflation.
With the inflation rate in Australia currently at 6.1 per cent – the highest since 1990 – prices for food, petrol, and utilities have seen a price hike. Unfortunately, that is also true for continence aids and other health products.
On OzBargain, an online community for Aussie bargain hunters, one user complained about the 38 per cent price increase of continence aids from Chemist Warehouse. They said: ‘I regularly buy continence aid products on behalf of a disabled family member I help care for, and Chemist Warehouse has seen it upon themselves to increase the price on this commonly bought and used product. From $34.09 last month to $46.99 this month… our monthly order has now increased from $165 to $234.95! A 38 per cent price hike for a medical health aid that’s needed daily by the disabled and elderly? Seriously, Chemist Warehouse?’
Many members suggested looking for other brands. An OzBargain user commented: ‘Shop around and get comfortable with a few different brands so that you have more choice. Just because it's the brand they prefer doesn't mean it's the only option. Pricing has gone up in this area, just like food and everything else. The price increases are just behind many other products.’
‘Always pays to shop around and not just assume Chemist Warehouse (or anywhere else) is the cheapest. I agree the cost of some essential items is out of control, and sometimes subsidies don’t really help - i.e. they just jack up the prices accordingly,’ another member said.
Others recommended being proactive in uncertain times, such as setting up price alerts and stocking up. After all, the price hike could signal an impending increase from other brands. One speculated: ‘More likely, there's been a price rise from the supplier and Chemist Warehouse just has so much stock turnover that it hit their sticker price faster than everyone else. Get in fast before the price rises everywhere else.’
There were also sympathetic commenters, with a member saying: ‘My father uses these products, and yeah, it's frustrating. The price has skyrocketed and the products have been difficult to get ahold of as well.’
Financial help is available for those who need continence products, though. As a member said: ‘Check out CAPS federal funding or any state schemes they may be eligible for. I do agree that it shouldn't have to cost so much to be comfortable and confident with incontinence.’
‘It's a good $600-ish something annual. Consider if there are ways you can reduce costs by varying your choices of products or the way they are used,’ someone else pointed out.
The comments refer to CAPS, which stands for Continence Aids Payment Scheme. It is a government subsidy for continence products that any Australian citizen or permanent resident can apply for. To be eligible, you have to be diagnosed with permanent and severe incontinence by a registered health professional, as well as have an eligible neurological or medical condition causing incontinence.
Currently, the annual payment rate is $650.40 - but this is subject to change depending on the government’s budget process. It is paid into your preferred Australian bank and is not included in income tax calculations. More details about CAPS can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care page.
Residents from Western Australia can also access the Continence Management and Support Scheme (CMASS), which offers a subsidy of $490 per year. Individuals in need of assistance can access both CAPS and CMASS at the same time. You can find more information about CMASS here. Assistance for veterans and their widowers is also available through the Department of Veterans' Affairs’ Rehabilitation Appliances Program.
Incontinence can be distressing. If you need tips on managing the condition at home, you can watch the Continence Foundation of Australia’s video below:
There are also many continence products, such as pads, pants, sheath drainage, bed pads, and catheters. Continence nurse adviser Anita Francis explains which option could be best depending on severity:
Incontinence is a physical condition that has emotional consequences. About 70 per cent of incontinent people do not seek help for the condition. If it affects your quality of life, medical advice and treatment are available - you can call the National Continence Program Helpline staffed by continence nurse advisers at 1800 330 066 from 8 am to 8 pm (AEST) on weekdays.
Incontinence is no small matter in Australia. More than 5 million Australians have some form of it. While it can occur at any age, it is more common among older adults, especially women. The condition is prevalent among the elderly because of changes in the body due to ageing.
It is also expensive - Aussies spent $67 billion to manage the condition in 2010, which is when Deloitte last conducted its survey on the economic impact of incontinence in the country. The cost has steeply risen over the last decade, especially when factoring in inflation.
With the inflation rate in Australia currently at 6.1 per cent – the highest since 1990 – prices for food, petrol, and utilities have seen a price hike. Unfortunately, that is also true for continence aids and other health products.
On OzBargain, an online community for Aussie bargain hunters, one user complained about the 38 per cent price increase of continence aids from Chemist Warehouse. They said: ‘I regularly buy continence aid products on behalf of a disabled family member I help care for, and Chemist Warehouse has seen it upon themselves to increase the price on this commonly bought and used product. From $34.09 last month to $46.99 this month… our monthly order has now increased from $165 to $234.95! A 38 per cent price hike for a medical health aid that’s needed daily by the disabled and elderly? Seriously, Chemist Warehouse?’
Many members suggested looking for other brands. An OzBargain user commented: ‘Shop around and get comfortable with a few different brands so that you have more choice. Just because it's the brand they prefer doesn't mean it's the only option. Pricing has gone up in this area, just like food and everything else. The price increases are just behind many other products.’
‘Always pays to shop around and not just assume Chemist Warehouse (or anywhere else) is the cheapest. I agree the cost of some essential items is out of control, and sometimes subsidies don’t really help - i.e. they just jack up the prices accordingly,’ another member said.
Others recommended being proactive in uncertain times, such as setting up price alerts and stocking up. After all, the price hike could signal an impending increase from other brands. One speculated: ‘More likely, there's been a price rise from the supplier and Chemist Warehouse just has so much stock turnover that it hit their sticker price faster than everyone else. Get in fast before the price rises everywhere else.’
There were also sympathetic commenters, with a member saying: ‘My father uses these products, and yeah, it's frustrating. The price has skyrocketed and the products have been difficult to get ahold of as well.’
Financial help is available for those who need continence products, though. As a member said: ‘Check out CAPS federal funding or any state schemes they may be eligible for. I do agree that it shouldn't have to cost so much to be comfortable and confident with incontinence.’
‘It's a good $600-ish something annual. Consider if there are ways you can reduce costs by varying your choices of products or the way they are used,’ someone else pointed out.
The comments refer to CAPS, which stands for Continence Aids Payment Scheme. It is a government subsidy for continence products that any Australian citizen or permanent resident can apply for. To be eligible, you have to be diagnosed with permanent and severe incontinence by a registered health professional, as well as have an eligible neurological or medical condition causing incontinence.
Currently, the annual payment rate is $650.40 - but this is subject to change depending on the government’s budget process. It is paid into your preferred Australian bank and is not included in income tax calculations. More details about CAPS can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care page.
Residents from Western Australia can also access the Continence Management and Support Scheme (CMASS), which offers a subsidy of $490 per year. Individuals in need of assistance can access both CAPS and CMASS at the same time. You can find more information about CMASS here. Assistance for veterans and their widowers is also available through the Department of Veterans' Affairs’ Rehabilitation Appliances Program.
Incontinence can be distressing. If you need tips on managing the condition at home, you can watch the Continence Foundation of Australia’s video below:
There are also many continence products, such as pads, pants, sheath drainage, bed pads, and catheters. Continence nurse adviser Anita Francis explains which option could be best depending on severity:
Incontinence is a physical condition that has emotional consequences. About 70 per cent of incontinent people do not seek help for the condition. If it affects your quality of life, medical advice and treatment are available - you can call the National Continence Program Helpline staffed by continence nurse advisers at 1800 330 066 from 8 am to 8 pm (AEST) on weekdays.
