Caregivers: What It Means to Provide Great Incontinence Care

It does not take a degree to provide great incontinence care.
Many caregivers are untrained family members trying to manage the needs of a senior with one or more chronic conditions, while also trying to balance a home life, a career, and the raising and care of their own children. It is not easy to be a caregiver, especially to someone with incontinence. However, it does not take a degree to provide great incontinence care.

The following is a look at a few things caregivers should consider, and how they can provide optimal incontinence care without running themselves ragged doing so:




1. Be aware of the red flags.

Being tuned in to changes in sensory cues can greatly help caregivers to anticipate needs, and help seniors to feel both physical and emotional comfort. Sensory cues to watch for may include: 


  • Declining interest in activity, physical and otherwise. 
  • Declining interest is socialization.
  • Despondency. 
  • Unpleasant odors. 
When a caregiver sees some of these red flags, they can step in and make changes BEFORE things spiral out of control. 

2. Address both physical and emotional comfort.

Incontinence is not just physically uncomfortable, but can lead to emotional discomfort as well. It is embarrassing to lose control over your own body, and can leave someone feeling hopeless. A great caregiver will take this into consideration and recognize that the key is using products that not only provide protection, but also prevent many of the negative side effects of incontinence. For example, Prevail Boxers for Men can give a man suffering urinary incontinence the confidence to go out in public without their absorbent product being identified as such. Poise Hourglass pads for women are designed specifically for full figured women, and provides extra protection against leaks and odor, by fitting their body right, not bunching or roping.

Using products that prevent leaks, damp mattresses, skin irritation, and the like will not only provide physical and emotional comfort, but also reduce the amount of time and effort required by the caregiver, for example, the right nighttime absorbent product can cut down on laundry.

Part of addressing physical and emotional comfort is maintaining an open dialogue with the incontinence sufferer. It is not easy to talk about incontinence, but without conversation it is difficult to ascertain how helpful certain products are.

3. Find the resources and support to help.

Talk to a medical professional to help seek treatment. Not all incontinence is permanent, and much is avoidable.

In the meantime, The CareGiver Partnership is a great resource for all things senior care, particularly incontinence care. They were recently referred to as the “Zappos of the home health care business” as well as named a top 10 family caregiver resource along with AARP.

Here are a few helpful resources:

1. Learn more about the various incontinence product types: pull-ons, adjustable underwear, briefs, undergarments and more.

2. For help to quickly and easily sort though nearly 500 choices, try the Incontinence Product Finder.

3. Order samples so you can try before you buy. 

Try our Sample Service to avoid wasting money.

Call us. We're here to help.
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About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.

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