Costs of incontinence to families with severely handicapped children

The costs of managing incontinence in 75 severely handicapped children are assessed. On average mothers spent over 10 hours per week dealing specifically with incontinence. This time was valued at a minimum of £16. Actual expenditure on relevant purchases and extra washing cost a further £1.53 weekly. Although part of the expenditure cost was compensated for in the case of those receiving an attendance allowance, we estimate that, on average, costs of over £7 per week remained uncompensated (1977/78 prices).