INCONTINENCE CARE

Caring for someone with incontinence can be both challenging and expensive.  Caregivers often need to deal with the person’s embarrassment, in addition to challenges involved with helping the person to the toilet or a commode, and cleaning both the person, their clothes, bedding, furniture and flooring.  Maintaining good hygiene is of primary importance.

Incontinence occurs in several forms, falling under two primary categories:

  1. Urinary incontinence (overactive bladder )
  2. Fecal incontinence (bowel incontinence)

Home Care Aides providing support to seniors suffering from incontinence rely on a variety of products which include:

  • Remote toileting receptacles for when the bathroom cannot be reached, protective pads from beds, wheelchairs, and furniture
  • Easy-to-open outerwear
  • Urine collection and regulator devices
  • Personal protective pads, liners, and undergarments,
  • Pelvic floor exercise and strengthening devices
  • Supplements and over-the-counter medicines
  • Clean-up and sanitation items
  • Skin care items
  • Logs and reminder devices to help prevent accidents
  • Specialty diets to prevent over-stimulation, constipation, or restriction, depending on the type of incontinence.

Selecting the right products can make a caregiver’s job more manageable.

The protective pad and liner products vary greatly by how much they are able to absorb.  When choosing products you need to consider if it is urinary or bowel incontinence, as well as the quantity and frequency of leakage.  Also important are the person’s mobility, body size, and gender.

Some products are washable and reusable, and can therefore save money.

Incontinence products include:

Product Category
Product Examples
Product Images
Remote toileting receptacles
  • Bedpans
  • Urinals
  • Commodes
  • Commode/Shower rolling chairs
Bed, wheelchair, and furniture protective pads
  • Under pads
  • Bed pads and mattress protectors
Incontinence outerwear
  • Pants with elastic waistbands
  • Trousers with detachable crotch
Urine collection and regulator devices
  • Urine bag pants
  • Wearable urine collectors
  • Urinary drainage collection bags
  • Urine catheter sleeves and bag holders
  • Bladder control pads
  • Penile clamps

Personal protective pads, liners, and garments
  • Feminine hygiene pads
  • Pant liners
  • Disposable undergarments
  • Belted undergarments
  • Adult briefs
  • Pull-Up underwear
  • Protective underwear
Exercise and strengthening devices
  • Kegel balls
  • Pelvic-floor muscle trainer
Supplements and over-the-counter medicines
  • Anti-diarrhea products
  • Bladder control supplements
  • Laxatives for constipation
  • Hemorrhoid products
  • Prostrate support supplements
Clean-up and sanitation
  • Bidets and bidet toilet seats
  • Vinyl gloves
  • Wash cloths
  • Hand wipes
  • Cleaning products
  • Detergents
  • Liquid sanitizers
  • Refuse containers and bags

If a person is wearing incontinence briefs, the caregiver should be sure to that the person changes them regularly so they are never sitting too long in a soiled brief. Cleanse thoroughly with a moist wipes during each change.

Help for Family Caregivers

AARP’s Home Alone Alliancesm has created a “How-To” videos and resource guides for family caregivers on specific tasks.  You can find their video for Managing Incontinence by clicking the links below.

This video series  seeks to provide family caregivers with an overview of managing incontinence challenges. It was developed by Alliance members—the AARP Public Policy Institute and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC, Davis.

English
Spanish
Resource Guides

Bibliograhpy

Reinhard, Susan. Latest How-To Videos for Family Caregivers Provide Guidance on Complex Medical Tasks. aarp.org . AARP Pubic Policy Institute. 16 Sep 2019. Web. 3 Feb 2020.

Incontinence Products

Below is a sampling of incontinence products help you to be prepared and to clean up. Click on the links to find out more information, see other products selections, and if you like, to make a purchase from one of our providers.

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Tearaway Jeans Premium Breakaway Pants – Elastic Waist Faux Denim Pants

$44.99
  • LOOK LIKE REAL JEANS: Function and Style Come Together Wonderfully!! The Look of Real Jeans Gives the Wearer Style and Confidence While the Elastic Waist and Side Button Closure Provide Easy Access and Comfort!!
  • MEDICAL CONVENIENCE: Extremely Convenient For Post Surgery, Physical Therapy or Rehab, Dealing With Leg Casts, Doctor Visits, Sports Injuries, Injured Knee/ACL, Ankle, Foot, Hip, Leg, the Elderly, Handicapped And Anyone With Limited Mobility.
  • TRUE HIGH QUALITY PANTS: They Are Made Of Super Soft Durable Light Weight Material For Ultimate Comfort! Perfect For Lounging! They Also Feature Durable Metal Buttons, Elastic Waist and 3 Zippered Pockets!
  • DEEP POCKETS: These Break Away Pants Were Made With 2 Deep Side Pockets and 2 Deep Back Pockets To Prevent Loss Of Your Belongings and Increased Storage Space!
  • PARTY TIME: Need An Undercover Stripping Outfit?? These Rip Off Trousers Are For You!! When The Music Hits, You Will Have The Option To Take The Party To The Next Level!!