Unfortunately, incontinence is an issue that many seniors have to deal with.
There is urinary incontinence, an uncontrollable leakage of urine, and fecal incontinence, uncontrollable stool leaks.
Dealing with incontinence is embarrassing and stressful. It can lead to seniors withdrawing and dealing with social isolation.
Note: It is important to discuss incontinence issues with a medical professional. They may be able to treat the conditions that cause it.
Fortunately, there are many different types of elderly incontinence products that can help seniors manage incontinence issues.
When considering which incontinence product is right for them, seniors should consider the fit, comfort, ease of use, and absorbency level needed.
Incontinence products that are absorbent and under clothes
Multiple elderly incontinence products go under clothes to absorb leaks.
Liners / pads
Liners or pads are placed inside regular underwear (similar to menstrual pads) and offer an extra layer of absorbent protection. They are discreet, affordable, widely available, and easy to use.
They come in a variety of sizes and absorbency levels.
However, they are not a good choice for those with heavy leakage or bowel incontinence.
Disposable briefs / diapers
Briefs (or diapers for elderly women and men) offer more absorbency for bladder and bowel incontinence. They have adjustable tabs and come in all sizes and different styles.
They can be worn under a person’s clothes and be worn during the day or night.
Disposable briefs are one the most popular incontinence products.
There are also swim briefs which are adult diapers made for swimming, so they are snug fitting to go under a swimsuit.
Disposable protective underwear
Disposable protective underwear (also called incontinence pants or pull-ups) have a stretchy waistband and are easy to pull on. They can be used day or night.
They are more fitted and offer more odor control than briefs. They are also more discreet since they are thinner and quieter.
However, they are harder to change since pants have to be removed, and they are not as absorbent. They are not the best option for heavy bowel incontinence.
Washable and reusable briefs / underwear
Reusable and washable briefs and underwear are also available. These are more cost-effective and better for the environment but also more work to clean and may not be as absorbent.
Products to protect furniture
There are also incontinence products to protect furniture from leaks.
Underpads / bed pads
Underpads or bed pads (also referred to as bed sheet protectors) are urine-absorbent pads for adults. They can be put down under someone to protect furniture, beds, or cars from leakage.
There are a lot of benefits to underpads, such as:
- Protecting furniture
- Preventing moisture from spreading
- Reducing skin irritation
- Making clean up easier
- Providing a better night’s sleep by preventing waking
Underpads come in a large variety. There are disposable and reusable options, different sizes, different materials, and a range of absorbency levels.
There are also some that have grips, so they don’t move.
Mattress cover
A mattress cover is like a water-resistant sheet placed under your regular sheets.
There are reusable and disposable options.
Since there is nothing on top of the sheet, mattress covers are more discreet, and some people may find this more comfortable.
Hygiene products
Incontinence can create hygiene problems which is why there are multiple products that can be used to maintain good hygiene.
Disposable gloves
Disposable gloves are needed for caregivers that are helping a senior with their incontinence issues or clean-up.
Wipes
Wipes are sold to help seniors clean themselves and maintain good hygiene.
Skincare products
There are also many different skincare products, such as moisturizers, creams, and ointments, to prevent skin irritation.
To prevent incontinence
There are products to prevent incontinence that can be effective but are more medical.
Clamp or bladder supports
Men can use a penile clamp that puts light pressure on the urethra to help men control leaking. These are reusable but cannot be used at night and must be adjusted frequently. It is important to follow the instructions.
Women can use bladder supports inserted like a tampon that put pressure on the urethra to stop leakage. There are both reusable and disposable options.
External catheters
Both men and women can wear external catheters. One option for men are condom catheters which are worn over the penis and collect urine.
They can be worn longer but can be difficult to apply and get the right fit.
To help with mobility issues getting to the bathroom
There are also products to help people that have incontinence issues because they cannot get to the bathroom in time.
Disposable urinal bags
There are disposable urinal bags that men or women can use if they cannot reach the bathroom in time.
Bedside toilet options
There are also bedside toilet options for those with mobility issues who can’t always easily reach the bathroom. These include bedside commodes, urinals, and bedpans.
Home care services
Home care services provide trained caregivers to help people with their activities of daily living (ADLs), such as moving around, bathing, grooming, and going to the bathroom.
Care can be tailored to an individual’s needs and available as much or as little as needed to help seniors remain independent and in their homes.
How do caregivers manage incontinence?
Home caregivers can manage incontinence in a variety of ways, including:
- Reminding seniors to go to the bathroom
- Helping them get to the bathroom
- Helping them change their incontinence products
- Cleaning up after any leaks, including helping with bathing and dressing, to ensure good hygiene and reduce skin irritation
- Cleaning up the house and doing laundry after accidents
- Encouraging a bathroom schedule
- Encouraging seniors to wear clothes that are easy to get on and off to help prevent accidents or help them find adaptive clothing
- Offering companionship care to provide emotional support
- Providing safe transportation to meet with friends and socialize, run errands, or go to medical appointments
- Monitoring their diet for food triggers
One of the most important ways that home caregivers can help with incontinence is by normalizing it.
They are trained to deal with this situation in a patient and kind way to reduce further embarrassment. They can also offer advice on management, the use of products, and hygiene.
Hire Pacific Angels Home Care for Incontinence Assistance in California
Pacific Angels Home Care can help people surrounding Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Aptos with incontinence issues.
Our kind caregivers can help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, going to the bathroom, and getting dressed.
We also provide companionship care to help prevent social isolation and safe transportation to and from appointments or to the store.
We tailor our services to each individual’s needs and can help make incontinence more manageable.
Call us today at (831) 708-2876 or reach us online to learn more.
