Incontinence Products: Home Health Supplies

Incontinence products significantly improve everyday quality of life for people with incontinence. Incontinence of either urine or stool is more common than many people may think. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just over half of people over the age of 65 who live in the community, experience urine (43.8%) or stool (17.3%) leakage at some point. The numbers are higher for people who are in hospitals and long-term care facilities, as well as people who need at-home care, such as hospice.

People who live with incontinence may become isolated, afraid to leave the house because they may have an “accident,” and embarrass themselves. They may be reluctant to have people visit their home because they are afraid that there may be a lingering odor, giving away their secret. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Incontinence with age is not inevitable – they don’t go hand in hand. Someone who normally has no problems holding on to their urine and who suddenly finds that he or she is leaking urine may have a medical problem, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), for example. Sudden leakage of stool could be a sign of a blockage in the intestines. It’s important that anyone who is incontinent to be seen by a doctor to see what might be causing this. The solution could be a simple one, such as antibiotics for a UTI.

Managing Incontinence

If you or someone you are caring for incontinent, there are several home health supplies on the market that can help minimize the inconvenience and reduce any embarrassment that may result.

• Disposable pads: Disposable pads are a good alternative for people who have occasional or light urine leakage or incontinence. They allow the user to wear their preferred type of undergarment, while providing protection. Here is an example product of disposable pads.

• Disposable liners: If the problem is light stool incontinence, liners can protect the undergarments, again allowing the user to wear what he or she chooses. Here is an example product of disposable liners.

• Disposable briefs: Briefs offer the maximum protection and can be purchased in varying degrees of absorbency, from light to heavy. Here is an example product of disposable briefs.

• Cleansing products: When people are incontinent of either urine or stool, their skin needs special care so it doesn’t become irritated and develop sores. There are special cleansers meant for the perineal (genital) area, that are gentle, yet very effective in helping clean and protect the skin. They can be purchased as liquids or as wipes. Here is an example product of cleansing products.

• Skin protection: People who have frequent incontinence may still develop irritated skin, no matter how well they clean the area. To help protect the skin, there are ointments and creams that can be applied over the clean, dry skin, that will repel the urine or stool. Here is an example product of skin protection.

• Deodorizers: Lingering odors from incontinence can be a concern and scented air fresheners can sometimes be too heavy or cloying, without actually doing the job. Medical-grade deodorizers can help neutralize the odor without leaving behind an unnatural scent. Here is an example product of deodorizers.

It may take a bit of trial and error to find which home health supplies are right for you or the person you’re caring for, so if you’re not sure of a particular product, ask the seller if you can have some samples. These may help you decide which ones are the best.