Learning to Be a Caregiver For a Loved One: Top Selling Incontinence Products
If you have recently become a caregiver for a friend or family member, you are one of almost 50 million people in the USA alone that is doing this. You can take comfort from the fact that many people have done this before and, from those experiences, a lot has been learned about the challenges of being a caregiver. And a lot of knowledge has gone into the development of incontinence products that help to lessen those challenges to some extent.
There are many reasons why people end up needing care. One of the most common causes is incontinence. Incontinence is far more common than most people would think. Thankfully, there is an abundance of incontinence products available. This vast range of choices can, however, be a little overwhelming when you have no previous experience with incontinence or with caring for someone that is incontinent. Let’s now take a look at some of the top selling products for adults with incontinence. Adult Diapers
For most people, the first product that comes to mind when talking about incontinence is adult diapers. Adult diapers are also the most common of all the incontinence products available on the market. Choosing a suitable product for the first time is no easy task. There are dozens of options depending on what style, absorbency, and size you are looking for. There are two main styles of adult diapers.
Tab Style Briefs
Similar in design to baby diapers, these are secured at the sides by adjustable tabs. Briefs are generally best suited to more severe cases of incontinence as they can offer higher absorbency levels. One of the added benefits of the reusable tabs is that these diapers can be changed without the complete removal of outer clothing.
Briefs are a good choice for overnight use. The adjustable tabs ensure a tight but comfortable fit that prevents accidental leaks. For really heavy incontinence, there are even options that can hold as much as 3.4 liters of liquid.
Pull Up Absorbent Underwear
As the name implies, pull-ups are worn like conventional underwear. They’re more compact and discreet than briefs and they are popular for daytime use or for physically active people. A big plus for some people is that pull-ups don’t make the rustling noise that briefs sometimes make when you move around. Diaper Covers
When you’re concerned that the diaper may still let through an accidental leak, consider a diaper cover. These covers are worn over your preferred diaper and offer an extra layer of protection and leakage prevention. You can choose from plastic or Polyurethane Laminate (PUL) options. PUL is a soft but durable material that is waterproof but feels and wears like a fabric. Used together with diapers, pads or liners, these diaper covers provide a range of versatile options for any situation you may encounter. Bed Pads
It’s easy to forget about furniture when you’re dealing with incontinence. We tend to focus on the psychological aspect and the stigma that still surrounds this affliction. However, another product that we should all get is an incontinence bed pad. These pads go under bedsheets and protect the mattress in the event of leaks. They come in disposable and reusable varieties. The type you select simply depends on what is more convenient for you and your patient. Mattress Covers
You may prefer to purchase a mattress cover rather than depend on bed pads. A mattress cover completely seals off your mattress and eliminates any risk of damage to it. This may be a good option for caregivers dealing with heavy and frequent incontinence. Incontinence Swimwear
Whilst there is still a stigma associated with incontinence, more and more people are embracing the range of products available and carrying on with their normal lifestyles. So, just because your patient is dealing with incontinence, it doesn’t mean they have to stop enjoying a swim from time to time.
In fact, swimming is often recommended as exercise to elderly patients. This is why incontinence swimwear is a popular option. These come in reusable and disposable varieties, and options are available for both bowel and urinary incontinence. Insert Pads
Not all incontinence patients need the full protection of adult diapers. For people dealing with light incontinence, insert pads are a great option. They are more discreet, and they come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and absorbency levels. They are worn as a liner inside normal underwear so they’re easily applied or changed.
Booster Pads
Booster pads provide an additional layer of absorbent material for occasional use or for use in conjunction with a standard diaper. A typical use case would be when a patient is on an outing and may not have easy access to a toilet.
Another use case is where a pull-up is used by day and then supplemented by a booster pad overnight. This may provide a more economical solution rather than using different day and night diapers. It is also a lot easier to plan ahead when you only have two items to think about.
Incontinence Pants
These are worn like normal underwear, but they have a leakproof outer layer for protection in the crotch area. Some as also have pockets to hold pads which don't have adhesive backing. As with all the other incontinence products, there are so many options to choose from so expert advice is recommended. An important feature of incontinence underwear is that most products are tailored to the male and female anatomies for optimum protection.
Conclusion
There are hundreds of products on the market to help with incontinence, and sifting through everything can sometimes be overwhelming; particularly if you’re going through this for the first time. Rest assured, though, at LL Medico we’ve been helping incontinence sufferers since 1993. Our team of experienced assistants is ready, willing and able to lend a hand with product details and recommendations. Have a browse around our website to get an idea of what’s available. When you’re ready to proceed with an order, feel free to give us a call at 855-422-4556, or email us at [email protected].
