01 June 2023
Written by Lizzie Quarterman,
Clinically reviewed by Sharon Coyle
With the cost-of-living crisis continuing, people living with incontinence can be spending, on average, an additional £18681 each year on continence care, on top of their rising household bills. This means that some people living with incontinence are struggling financially and so are unable to afford the products they need. They are living in what is termed “incontinence poverty”.
Just like "period poverty", which refers to the plight of many women and girls on low incomes who struggle to afford menstrual products, "incontinence poverty" is increasing as household incomes are stretched. As many people are having to make tough financial choices, the stress of living with incontinence poverty can affect quality of life for individuals and their families, as well as cause other physical and mental health problems.2
Complete Care Shop and Bladder & Bowel UK’s joint initiative to highlight this rising issue – Relief from Incontinence Poverty – has found that some people living with the condition are even having to turn to unsuitable products such as baby nappies, sanitary towels and washable items to manage the problem.
Many people are turning to foodbanks to access incontinence care. Angela Bullard, Trustee of the Splott Community Volunteers in Cardiff, explains how the charity is seeing a surge in demand for help:
“There has been a 120% increase in people using our food bank and other services since the cost-of-living crisis began. We are increasingly being asked for incontinence products with people telling us they cannot afford these essential items, and out of desperation, they are having to use baby nappies and other washable items such as clothing.”
Angela continues: “We have males and females asking for help, sometimes having wet themselves and terribly embarrassed. Unfortunately, we are only able to offer them period products which, out of despair, they will take rather than nothing.”
Our Senior Occupational Therapist, Sharon Coyle, shares her top tips for managing incontinence:
Remember, our expert advisers give free guidance and support on living with this condition and continence care products. We encourage anybody affected with incontinence to get in touch with us for free, confidential advice.
For more information on managing incontinence:
For further information, do please read our related articles:
and visit www.bbuk.org.uk.
By signing up you consent to us using your email address in accordance with our privacy policy.