5 Tips for Buying the Right Products for Incontinence
September 5, 2023
By Hayley Milne
Living with incontinence can be a challenge, but with the right products, you can regain your confidence and enjoy life to the fullest. Choosing the right incontinence products can significantly impact your comfort and overall well-being. In this guide, we’ll provide you with five valuable tips to help you make informed decisions when purchasing incontinence supplies.
Understanding Incontinence and Its Impact
Bowel or urinary incontinence is more common than you might think and can affect both men and women of all ages. Whether it’s due to age, medical conditions or other factors, the impact of incontinence on your daily life can be significant. It’s crucial to address this issue with the right products that cater to your specific needs and lifestyle.
Tip 1: Assessing Your Incontinence Needs
Before diving into product options, take time to assess your incontinence needs. This involves understanding the type and severity of your incontinence as well as your lifestyle and activity level.
Identifying Your Incontinence Type and Severity
Different types of incontinence require different levels of protection. Stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence and functional incontinence have varying characteristics. Consult a medical professional to accurately diagnose your type and severity, which will guide your product selection.
Understanding Your Lifestyle and Activity Level
Consider your daily routine and activities. Do you lead an active lifestyle, or do you have mobility issues which have caused limited mobility throughout the day? This information will help you choose products that provide the necessary protection without hindering your activities throughout the day.
Tip 2: Exploring Different Incontinence Product Categories
There’s a wide range of incontinence products available, each catering to specific needs. Understanding the pros and cons of different categories will help you make an informed choice.
Disposable Incontinence Products: Pros and Cons
Disposable products like adult diapers (adult briefs or pull-on style underwear) and incontinence pads offer convenience and ease of use. Products exist for both urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence.
Reusable Incontinence Products: Benefits and Considerations
Washable and reusable products such as cloth diapers and washable incontinence pads are eco-friendly and can save you money in the long run. They’re ideal for home use and can be more comfortable for some individuals. However, they require regular washing and maintenance.
Tip 3: Selecting the Right Size and Absorbency Level
Finding the perfect close-fitting underwear and proper absorbency level is crucial for comfort and effective skin protection. Those with urinary incontinence may experience urine leakage if a brief is too loose. Contrarily, if a product is too tight, sensitive skin gets irritated, and the protective underwear is uncomfortable for the wearer.
Finding the Perfect Fit and Comfort
Ill-fitting products can lead to urine leaks and discomfort. Pay attention to adult diapers’ sizing charts provided by manufacturers. A snug yet comfortable fit is essential for ensuring the product stays in place. The adhesive tabs on most adult briefs allow for a customizable fit to absorb urine or bowel movements, and protect skin from damage.
See below for Tranquility’s sizing chart:
Matching Absorbency with Your Requirements
Select the capacity level that matches your needs, as the product will need to absorb all bladder output in order to protect your skin from urine sitting on sensitive areas and leading to skin breakdown. Light, moderate and heavy absorbency options are available. Choosing the right level helps prevent leaks and ensure you remain dry and comfortable.
Women: Unique Needs
Pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in bladder control and preventing leakage. Weakness in these muscles can lead to urinary incontinence, causing lighter leaks involuntarily. This is when having extra protection, such as a pad in underwear, is very helpful to prevent leaks. Women find strengthening and maintaining these muscles through exercises and proper care can help mitigate the risk of incontinence.
Nerve Damage
Men and women may experience nerve damage that can lead to loss of bladder control. To help contain urine from bladder drips, women can use pads in regular underwear, and men can use male guards. The pads help offer another layer of protection. Pads act as a drip collector for excess urine.
Disposable Urinary Collection Devices
Disposable urinary collection devices are convenient solutions for managing incontinence. These user-friendly urinary incontinence products offer a discreet and hygienic way to contain and dispose of urine, promoting comfort and confidence.
Tip 4: Considering Lifestyle and Convenience
Your lifestyle plays a significant role in the type of incontinence products you should choose.
Incontinence Products for Active Lifestyles
If you’re active or have lighter urinary incontinence or stress incontinence, opt for bladder control products that offer maximum flexibility and discreetness. Look for designs that won’t restrict your movements, such as absorbent pads with adhesive backing placed inside regular underwear, or pull-on disposable underwear.
Incontinence Products for Regular Daily Use
For regular daily use, focus on products that prioritize comfort and reliability. Consider features like odor control and breathable materials for extended wear. Some adult diapers have a waterproof backing that helps you manage bladder leaks. Disposable pads are great for more protection in regular undergarments, whereas booster pads provide additional continence care by collecting excess urine or leakage in a disposable undergarment.
A quality incontinence product will pull moisture away from the skin to keep the wearer comfortable.
Tip 5: Budget-Friendly Options and Cost-Effectiveness
Purchasing urinary incontinence products doesn’t have to break the bank. There are cost-effective options that maintain quality and performance.
Affordable Incontinence Products that Don’t Compromise Quality
Many reputable brands offer affordable incontinence care products that provide effective protection. Check out your local medical supply store, local drugstore or shop online. Look for products with positive reviews that vouch for both quality and affordability.
Finding a quality pad or adult diaper helps keep skin healthy, eliminates urine odor, and is comfortable to wear all day and throughout the night. Consider using an underpad, also called chux, or a plastic cover to protect mattresses and furniture. Depending on your coverage, sometimes a private insurance company will cover the costs of these items, or it’s possible that you may qualify for coverage through your state’s Medicaid incontinence benefits. Read this article to learn all about Medicaid coverage for incontinence products.
Planning for Long-Term Cost Savings
While cheaper, box-store brand products might seem pocket book-friendly at first, be aware that higher-quality options can save money in the long run. Choosing a cheaper product that doesn’t manage incontinence effectively can lead to skin rashes, especially if it doesn’t keep skin dry. It can also increase leakage, odor and total time spent changing sheets and linens. Lastly, cheaper products may not offer very long wear time, meaning you will have to constantly change into a new product. Calculate the costs over time to make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts on Finding the Right Incontinence Products
Selecting the right over-the-counter products is a personal journey that requires consideration of your unique needs and preferences. By assessing your needs, exploring different product categories, focusing on size and absorbency, considering your lifestyle, and keeping budget considerations in mind, you can find the products specifically designed for your needs that provide comfort, confidence and the freedom to enjoy life on your terms. Remember, your well-being is paramount, and the right solution is out there waiting for you.
For More Help
For additional support, please call a friendly Tranquility Care Center representative at 1-866-865-6101, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. EST or email CustomerService@pbenet.com.
Hayley Milne
Hayley is a Brand Supervisor for Consumer Marketing at Principle Business Enterprises, parent company of Tranquility Brand Continence Care Products. She has 10+ years of experience leading tactical integration of business objectives and guiding creative execution. She is passionate about brand and customer experience.
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