After My Daughter Olivia Was Born, I Began To Experience Accidental Bowel Leakage (ABL)

Don't let ABL  negatively impact life after child-birth.

Having a child was one of the best things my husband and I ever did. I do not regret getting pregnant, nor bring Olivia into the world, but after having her, I began to experience accidental bowel leakage. While I was prepared for some of the unpleasant things that can result from childbirth, such as weight gain and stretch marks, I had no idea I was going to have to deal with ABL. It is so frustrating and embarrassing, and sometimes I can’t help but wish I had known the risks before getting pregnant. 

I know that any problem or side-effect is worth it to have this beautiful little girl, but ABL has negatively impacted my social and work life, my confidence, and has even changed my personality. I am turning into a recluse. What can I do?

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Win a FREE Mobility Aid and 14 Home-Delivered Meals in This Month's Sweepstakes

Enter this month for a chance to win a Stander Assist-a-Tray plus 14 home-delivered meals.

Each month, we highlight a family caregiver solution that one lucky winner receives with no purchase necessary and no strings attached. Items given away are products and services that help seniors live more independently and gracefully in their homes.

This month’s prize giveaway in our “Helping You Get On With Life” sweepstakes includes two items, valued at more than $299.

Stay safe, comfortable and independent with an Assist-a-Tray. This combination rising aid and activity tray is from Stander, a leader in mobility products. The Assist-a-Tray features a 360° swiveling tray with cup holder — perfect for mealtime, games, crafts, using a laptop and more. The durable, ergonomic handle lends assistance while sitting or rising from a couch, chair or recliner. This prize is valued at more than $209.

Enjoy 14 freshly prepared meals delivered right to your doorstep, courtesy of Mom’s Meals. Designed to meet the needs of our aging population, each meal contains fresh foods, is microwaveable and will keep in the refrigerator for two weeks. Mom’s Meals offers 45 unique meal choices, including specialty choices like low-sodium, low-fat, gluten-free and more. This prize is valued at more than $90.

For a chance to win this month’s prize package, participants need only e-mail info@caregiverpartnership.com or mail a short statement explaining why the prize would be useful to him or her or a loved one. We will accept entries for this prize through Dec. 31, 2015, and will notify the drawing winner the first week of January.

Help support this ad free blog by answering several questions about caregiving here. It will take just two minutes.

Call us. We're here to help.

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. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.

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3 Tips on How To Choose Adult Incontinence Products

Three key factors to include when choosing adult incontinence products.

Choosing for Mom

When Susan realized her Mom needed her help choosing incontinence supplies she didn’t know where to even begin looking. While the grocery and big box stores were full of different incontinence products, Susan wasn’t sure if any of those were right for her Mom. She was unsure who to ask for help. Pharmacists today are filling ten times more prescriptions than they were just ten years ago. They can barely keep up and just don’t have the time to step out from behind the counter to ‘advise’ about incontinence products. Plus, they really don’t know much about them. And the 18 year old young man in the isle certainly doesn’t know.

So it wasn’t until Susan spoke with the knowledgeable ladies at The CareGiver Partnership that she received some tips and the help she felt she needed. With their advice she was able to select the incontinence products which could help her Mom in the most effective way possible.

What’s the best product for me or my loved one?

It can be overwhelming to try and determine exactly what incontinence supplies you or the loved one in your care may need. There are more choices than ever before and they’re changing all the time. This creates even more confusion. There’s pull-on underwear for men, for women, for either; there’s boxers for men, adjustable underwear, briefs (adult diapers), pads for women, liners, guards for men, shields for men, underpads, chair pads, bed pads, undergarments, booster pads, swim pants, washable products, shaped pads, and soon bladder control inserts.

The Caregiver Partnership understands this confusion and have created an easy to use style guide which explains all the style options which can help you determine what incontinence products are right for you or you. You can also speak with one of their knowledgeable ladies and try samples before you buy ($3.49).

It does matter what you choose

Many people mistakenly think all incontinence products are the same. This is simply not true. Just like one person’s incontinence can be very different from someone else, so can incontinence supplies. It is important to realize there are three key factors which need to be considered when choosing adult incontinence products. Here are three of them:

• Carefully determine the size of the person who will be using the adult incontinence products. Many people make the mistake of underestimating the importance of fit. However, it is crucial to keep in mind if an incontinence product is too small or too large the wearer is at risk for leaks and accidents. Studies show 80% of leaks occur in the rear buttocks area of any incontinence undergarment. Whether you are choosing incontinence supplies for yourself or for someone in your care it is extremely important to find the right size. The good news is today there are more sizes than ever before which means everyone from the smallest individual to the largest can find the right incontinence product which can fit them effectively. You should know both the hip and waist size of the person wearing the product. 

• Know what type of absorbency the person will need in their incontinence product. Not all incontinence is the same. Some people only require an incontinence pad for some light leakage while others will need the highest degree of absorbency to protect against complete bladder and/or bowel leakage. You should be aware of what level of absorbency you need before choosing any incontinence supplies. It is also important to keep in mind absorbency needs can change over time and can vary greatly from day to night. Some products can be worn together to provide better protection or even cost savings. 

• Take into account the gender of the person using the incontinence product. Men and women have very different needs when it comes to incontinence supplies. The makers of incontinence products understand this and have designed incontinence supplies which meet the needs of each gender. Men’s incontinence supplies have protection up front where men need it most. It is important to take into account the gender of the person who will be using the incontinence supplies when you are choosing them. 

Get real help from real people.

Since 2004, The Caregiver Partnership has been helping women just like you. Unlike the big box stores which usually only offer 3 brands of incontinence products, The CareGiver Partnership shops the world over to find the best incontinence products - those used by consumers and professionals alike. They offer over 700 choices-ten times more brands, styles, sizes and absorbencies than even the big box stores. And, they have knowledgeable Product Specialists you can speak with when you call 1-800-985-1353.

However, even when you have an idea of what incontinence products you are looking for it can still be overwhelming. That’s why the free & easy Incontinence Product Finder was developed. It saves you time, money and frustration by making it easy to sort through hundreds of products - fast. The video below explains how it works.

Watch this video to learn more about The Incontinence Product Finder

Consumers wasting $130 buying incontinence products

Did you know those buying incontinence products for the first time waste $130 on average in trial and error mode trying to figure out what will work best for them. This is research from the makers of Depend and Poise. The CareGiver Partnership recognizes this and that’s why they provide online tools to help you select the best choice. They also have a team of Product Specialist who are expert on all the products offered and can send you samples ($3.49 each) to try before you buy. Questions? Call them at 1-800-985-1353.

Watch this video to learn more about Try Before You Buy

Further Reading: 

The CareGiver Partnership offers one of the most comprehensive and largest family caregiver blogs available. With over 1 million readers there is valuable information on every subject applicable to caregiving and seniors. Learn more here.

Talking With Others About Incontinence: 7 Important Tips

Over 200 Adult Pull On Underwear Styles, Sizes and Absorbencies

Incontinence Products: How to Choose the Right Size Product

Help support this ad free blog by answering several questions about caregiving here. It will take just two minutes. 

Call us. We're here to help.

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. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.

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Poise Impressa Bladder Supports. Just right for your stress urinary incontinence?

Poise Impressa is for women with stress urinary incontinence. 

Finding something just for me

When Marie first began experiencing incontinence symptoms she started looking for the right incontinence product to meet her specific needs. All she could find were lots of adult diapers and other incontinence supplies that could be used for anyone. She felt if she could find one incontinence product which would be right for her, she would be able to effectively manage her incontinence symptoms and continue on with her daily activities without worrying about leaks and accidents. It wasn’t until she spoke with the ladies at The CareGiver Partnership she found out about Poise Impressa which was just what she was searching for.to manage her incontinence symptoms.

Like any product, Poise Impressa isn’t for all women. Its for women with stress urinary incontinence. Its not for women that find it uncomfortable to insert and remove - which is about 20% of those who try it according to our data. Conversly, one third of women absolutely love it. So how do you know if its right for you? You call or go online and order the sizing kit which contains two each of three sizes.

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5 Ways to Keep the Elderly Safe in Extreme Winter Weather

Keep your loved one safer and healthier all winter. 

Keeping Your Loved One Safe During Wintertime

We at The CareGiver Partnership live in N.E. Wisconsin… just down the road from Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. The field is sometimes referred to as ‘frozen tundra’. We know long, cold winters. Winter is not the friend of the elderly for a number of reasons.

If you have a senior in your life, you may become extra concerned about their health and safety as the temperature takes a dip. The cold temperatures along with other weather issues like ice and snow as well as health concerns can pose a real risk for the elderly when extreme winter weather arrives. The days are much shorter and they may have to be out during darkness, making slips and falls that much more possible. There are steps to take which can help to keep your loved one safer and healthier all winter.

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Poise Impressa Bladder Supports. Lets Be Honest- They're Not For Everyone.

An incontinence diagnosis doesn't have to mean changing your
wardrobe, activities or lifestyle. 

A Chance to Stop Leaks Before They Occur

Sally felt stunned and overwhelmed when she was diagnosed with incontinence. She had assumed since she was still working, active and on the go, incontinence wouldn’t be an issue for her for many years if at all. All she could think about was how she would have to use adult diapers and other bulky, hard to wear incontinence supplies in order to manage her incontinence symptoms. She was upset about having to change her wardrobe, her activities and her lifestyle in order to accommodate her incontinence symptoms. It was only after talking with the nice ladies at The CareGiver Partnership she realized none of that was true and there was another choice. The ladies at The CareGiver Partnership told her about a revolutionary new incontinence product which could help to keep doing all the things she loved, wearing the clothes she wanted and still be able to effectively manage her incontinence. The revolutionary new incontinence product is the Poise Impressa.

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Incontinence Products for Adults: Tips for Everyday Use

What Happens Next

After someone has sought treatment for incontinence, found the right incontinence supplies and developed a management strategy for dealing with incontinence it becomes a day to day process to learn how to best deal with incontinence. Even the best plans can go astray but with some helpful tips it can be possible to learn how to utilize incontinence products on a everyday basis in the most effective way possible. Whether you are a caregiver for someone with incontinence or are dealing with your own incontinence here are some helpful tips for everyday use. 

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The New Way to Deal With Stress Urinary Incontinence

Dealing with Stress Urinary Incontinence 

Laughing, coughing, sneezing...incontinence?

When Mary first began experiencing incontinence symptoms it was only when she was laughing, coughing or sneezing. Soon, she noticed she was having leakage when she lifted something or was exercising. She was unsure as to what could be causing it so she consulted her doctor who explained she was experiencing stress urinary incontinence. He explained this is common type of incontinence many women begin experiencing after pregnancy and childbirth. In addition, the hormonal changes which occur at menopause can also bring on stress urinary incontinence. This type of incontinence happens when the pelvic floor muscles become weakened and then a sudden “stressor” such as: laughing, coughing, sneezing, and heavy lifting can bring on urinary leakage. While there is treatment for this condition it was important Mary find the right incontinence supplies to effectively manage her incontinence symptoms.

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Poise Impressa Stops Bladder Leaks Before They Start

A revolutionary way to manage your incontinence. 

Effectively Managing Incontinence

For many women incontinence is something they notice gradually happening. It may start as just a small amount of leakage and progress to much more without treatment or intervention. However, busy women often ignore their own needs in order to take care of others. They mistakenly assume dealing with incontinence can be difficult and overwhelming and to some degree they may be right. Seeing a doctor, finding the right incontinence product, and then always planning ahead as to when they will need extra incontinence supplies or even find time to change them can all be a hassle. The good news is it just got easier. Poise has now introduced the Impressa, a revolutionary way to manage your incontinence which is not time consuming and overly demanding of your time and attention.

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7 Tips for Adult Incontinence

You may be surprised to learn nearly 25 million Americans have some form of incontinence. While you may assume this is only an issue the elderly, ill, and bedridden have to deal with, many people are astounded to learn the majority of people with incontinence are active, healthy and still on the go. However, this can be a life changing issue if you are diagnosed with incontinence. Many people are unsure as to what type of incontinence supplies they will need or even where to buy incontinence products. They may be unsure as how to manage their incontinence. The good news is there is more information available than ever before. 

The CareGiver Partnership wants to provide information for both caregivers and those with incontinence. They not only offer incontinence products but helpful information which can guide you in effectively managing your incontinence or for someone in your care. Here are 7 tips for Adult Incontinence.

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