Pumpkin Seeds For Bladder Control



Could pumpkin seeds be the answer to bladder control?
It is estimated that one in six adults over age 40 are affected by an overactive bladder, though it is hard to get accurate numbers as this is a highly personal and embarrassing condition. Approximately 12 million Americans suffer from urinary incontinence every year. 

For women, many suffer from stress incontinence. The toll of having babies can weaken pelvic muscles resulting in leakage with coughs, laughs, or even in some cases when the person stands up too quickly. Men often suffer from incontinence due to an enlarged prostate gland.

Getting Back Into the World With Incontinence

Do not let incontinence stop you from living your life. 
About 25 million adult Americans suffer from some level of incontinence. One in five women have incontinence. But just because you are not alone, does not make it easy to get out into the world, and go about life as if you are free from leaks.

The truth is, for many, men and women alike, incontinence gets in the way of their everyday living, and decreases their quality of life. This does not have to be the case. A few routine changes can help prevent leaks, protect you from embarrassment, and get you back to your favorite activities.

New Year, New You: Helping Seniors Achieve Their Resolutions

Regular exams are essential to good health.

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

Whether you’re a senior setting goals for the coming year or a family caregiver wanting an elderly loved one to succeed, read on for tips for maintaining health, independence and relationships.

Telltale Signs Mom or Dad May Need Help

Dianna Malkowski

by Dianna Malkowski, Physician Assistant & Nutritionist

When visiting elderly parents or other loved ones this holiday season, look for signs of malnutrition and loss of mobility. Early identification and treatment can help a senior get back on track.

Monitoring Systems for Elderly- How Technology Can Keep the Elderly in Their Homes

Technology can help reduce the risk associated with falls.
Many seniors want to stay in their homes as they age. This is called aging in place. While it is a far less expensive option than assisted living facilities, it comes with its share of risks and hazards. One of the biggest concerns is falls. Over 13 million seniors fall each year, and over a third of those occur in the home. When a senior falls and can’t get up it may be hours before someone comes along to help. This can turn a fall that may have just been a few bumps and bruises into a serious medical situation. What happens if dehydration occurs? Technology can help reduce the risk associated with falls. Monitoring systems for the elderly are a great option. Here’s what you should know: 

Holiday Travel with Incontinence Is Manageable with Planning and the Right Products

Try our free online product finder tool!

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

Holiday travel can be one of the season’s greatest pleasures. For those managing urinary or bowel incontinence, it can be much more enjoyable and worry-free with a little planning and the right products.

Night Care For the Elderly


Improve night care for your elderly loved one. 
The night hours can be some of the most dangerous for seniors. When they get up at night they may be groggy or disoriented, when combined with lack of light, this can lead to falls.
Falls can result in the need for emergency medical care, high expenses, and decreased health. Prevent this from happening with improved night care for the elderly.

What are some things you can do to improve night care for your elderly loved ones? Because most accidents occur when an elderly person leaves their bed, the first step is to help them stay in bed. The second is to make their environment safer for night time movement. And the third is to provide them with a way to get help should the worst happen. Let’s take a closer look:

FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed

Look for FINAL YEARS in paperbook around Christmas.
Guest Blog Post by author Dawn Kairns

I always knew I’d lose my parents, but was not prepared for what caring for aging parents really meant. How could I ever prepare myself for the way watching a loved parent suffer would affect me? Or how overwhelming and life-changing the loss of my parents would be?

We are moved by what we love. It was my dog and constant companion, Maggie, who inspired my first book, MAGGIE the dog who changed my life. Then caring for my declining parents moved me to write again, and to interview others to explore their varied experiences in caring for their aging and dying parents. Thus, FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed was born.

I like to write about what is real—what touches people. To bring to light those things that lie in the recesses of people’s hearts. Those difficult feelings and experiences that are hard to talk about, and listen to.

In the Caregivers Voice

In FINAL YEARS ten caregivers share their stories of tough roads of decision-making, family dynamics, grief, and healing. I weave my own account through each of their chapters. Reading these eldercare and parent loss stories in the caregivers’ voice will help you know you are not alone but part of a “hidden tribe” who share a common bond. In FINAL YEARS I explore with caregivers:
  • Family of origin interactions, and our relationship with our parents.
  • How the declining health of aging parents impacted us emotionally and in our day to day life.
  • Whether or not siblings worked together to help declining parents. Was there conflict and if so, how did we resolve it?
  • How parent decline and loss changes us and the choices we make in our lives.
  • What decisions we have to make about parent care. 
  • Were we at peace with our parents before they became ill? If not, how we did or didn’t make peace with them before or after they passed. 
  • What happens to family dysfunctional patterns (if present) during parent illness?
  • What coping skills and resources people called on when dealing with aging parents and their deaths.
  • How we did or didn’t find support from friends in our grief?
  • What were experiences with health care professionals like? Were they were helpful or hindering?
  • What was clearing out the “stuff” in our parents’ home like?
  • Were there feelings that were hard to come to terms with surrounding our parents’ decline/death? Do feelings still haunt us? How we came to terms with them.
  • Did events or emotions like guilt and anger interfere with or prolong our grieving process?
  • How we resolved our grief; how our culture is with grief.
  • Unusual or unexplainable experiences after we lost our parents – what some people might call “paranormal.”
  • Advice for those coming into the care of aging or dying parents.

Helping parents’ transition through aging and death changes many adult childrens’ lives forever. It shakes our very foundation. Caregivers often feel alone and don’t know where to turn for support in a culture where sharing emotional pain may not be well-received. Many tears are cried as difficult choices with loved ones are made. My hope is that you will find guidance for navigating your way through your parents’ final years as you find yourselves in these stories.

To learn more about FINAL YEARS please visit my website You can find FINAL YEARS here on Amazon in Kindle format. Look for it in paperback around Christmas. 

Call us. We're here to help.
Help support this ad free blog by answering several questions about caregiving here. It will take just two minutes.

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.

How to Choose Home Monitoring Systems for the Elderly


Consider Philips Lifeline
As senior loved ones get older, they may require more assistance and care.
One way to find peace of mind while still allowing a lot of independence is to use a home monitoring system, or emergency alert system.

With millions of falls occurring each year, and over a third of them occurring at home, an emergency alert system or home monitoring system for the elderly is needed, but how do you choose from the many devices available on the market today? The following are a few considerations when choosing a home monitoring system for your elderly loved one.

Elderly Care

Improve the care and comfort you offer your senior loved ones. 
Elderly care involves caring for the comfort, safety, and health of senior loved ones, while helping them remain as independent as possible. This can be challenging, and often thankless, but the right tools, resources, and aids can make life as a caregiver much easier, while also improving the care provided. 

Convincing Mom She Needs an Elderly Monitoring System

5 Tips for talking to your parents about using an
elderly monitoring system in their home. 
Elderly monitoring systems are a great tool, especially for adult children who want to keep tabs on parents who live alone. However, sometimes, convincing your elderly mother or father that they should get a monitoring system is a lot of work. 

The following is a look at some tips for talking to your parents about using an elderly monitoring system in their home, and presenting it to them in a way that won’t feel offensive or like you are trying to control their life.

The CareGiver Partnership Announces December 2013 Prize Giveaway and 2014 Sweepstakes

Enter this month to win these two prizes!

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

Our final giveaway of the 2013 “Helping You Get On With Life” monthly sweepstakes includes a case of Elyte 100% cotton incontinence pads and a box of Heaven Scent disposal bags. And there are more valuable giveaways coming every month in 2014!

Basic Bedside Care To Meet the Needs of Your Loved One

Consider the following for basic bedside care.
Learning the basics of bedside care can make taking care of a loved one far easier. The proper tools, resources, and support system is important, as well as taking the right steps to insure comfort, grooming, and emotional and mental care. Consider the following: 

Elderly Care at Night

Every caregiver needs to consider night care for the elderly.
Night care for the elderly is something every caregiver needs to consider. The risks for falling and serious injury increase at night because the low light, disorientation, and lack of immediate help. Protect your senior loved one by doing two things: Helping them stay in bed at night, and making it safer for them when they do leave their bed. 

5 Bedside Care Tips for Caregivers

5 Bedside Care Tips for Caregivers 
Bedside care is an essential part of caregiving. Caregivers should be concerned with the physical and mental well being of their loved ones. Many who provide care feel frustration because the person for whom they are caring is surly, uncooperative, and unpleasant. This can be due to pain, unhappiness with their life situation, and many other reasons. Despite the reasons, compassion and kindness is key. Unfortunately, this hard for caregivers when they are tired, overworked, and expected to do a lot. The following is a look at 5 tips for even the overworked caregivers:

The CareGiver Partnership Presents Its Annual Holiday Gift Ideas for Seniors


by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

While shoppers make their lists and check them twice, we’ve been busy researching products that meet our high standards for this year’s gift giving season.

The Challenges and Benefits of Being a Mesothelioma Caregiver

Being a caretaker for a mesothelioma patient is difficult,
but has benefits for both the patient and caregiver.
Guest Blog Post by Joan Evans

Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a protective membrane that lines most of the body's internal organs such as the abdomen, lungs and heart. Over the last 50-60 years asbestos exposure has been one of the leading risk factors for and causes of mesothelioma. In fact, some estimate that over 70% of mesothelioma cases can be linked directly to asbestos exposure. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers of asbestos such as the Johns-Manville Corporation, resulting in millions in jury awards and settlements. While asbestos has been banned in the United States for many years 2000 cases of mesothelioma develop each year. This is in part due to the fact that mesothelioma often does not develop until 30 years or more after initial exposure. Sadly, for mesothelioma patient’s death often occurs within 4-12 months after diagnosis as it often is not diagnosed until it has already metastasized. The hardships that accompany a mesothelioma diagnosis does not only affect the patient but also deeply impacts the patient's mesothelioma caregiver.

Benefits of Activities for Seniors: Decrease Depression and Anxiety

Add a structured activity program into a senior's life
to reduce or limit anxiety and depression. 
Most people have feelings of anxiety or feel depressed at times. Facing difficult and stressful situations can lead to sadness, nervousness and anxiety, and are normal reactions to these situations. Depression and anxiety are classified as disorders when they are experienced frequently (daily or near daily), when they occur for no apparent reason, or when the feelings are out of proportion to the causal stressor. 

Caregiving Through the Ages and What the Future Holds

Aging in place is an important part of living well.

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, we examine the past, present, and future of caregiving and tell you how caregivers can access 1,500 resources.

Benefits of Activities for Seniors: Social Interaction

Useful advice and strategies for planning and
executing activities that enhance social interaction. 
Why is social interaction important for seniors? Humans are social creatures, and social interactions are important for all humans for a number of very important, very basic reasons. 

Human society is based on our shared interactions: the coffee you drink in the morning, the clothes you wear, the car you drive, the book you are reading, the device you are reading it on – all were likely fashioned by a group of people, many of whom you may have never met, but with whom you have interacted - by the very process of buying, using and enjoying the fruits of their labor. No longer isolated hermits in caves, modern humans now depend on many interactions with other humans, directly or indirectly, to meet their daily wants and needs.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer's and Dementia

Keep your brain stimulated to, at the very least,
slow down dementia and Alzheimer's.
by Tiffany Matthews, a freelance health writer with 20 years medical experience. 

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are two entirely separate conditions. Many people develop dementia as part of the aging process. Alzheimer’s is thought to be the final stage of dementia, however, there is scientific proof that Alzheimer’s also comes in stages and there are a few different major symptoms that determine the outcome. For example, some people with Alzheimer’s have a more severe loss of memory while others become easily agitated and can be very mean.

5 Myths About Bladder Incontinence

Lynn Wilson

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

In recognition of Bladder Health Week Nov. 11–15, here are some common misconceptions about bladder incontinence and solutions for managing the condition.

Diabetic Skin Care Management Tips

Many who suffer from diabetes, also suffer from incontinence. 
Diabetes can affect every part of the body, including the skin. Unfortunately, diabetes is a wide spread condition, and as many as 30% of people will experience some form of diabetes in their life. The skin often is the first indicator of a diabetic problem. 

Many who suffer from diabetes also suffer from incontinence, and the two combine to ill effect on the skin. Diabetics may find themselves suffering from a variety of skin conditions including:

Caregivers and Seniors Can Enter in November to Win a Prize Bundle from The CareGiver Partnership

Enter in November for a chance to win three great prizes!

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

We are bundling prize items in our “Helping You Get On With Life” monthly sweepstakes. Here’s how readers can enter to win a hands-free reading light, a case of Prevail underwear or pads, and a 50-pack of scented disposal bags.

Is It a Common Elderly Disease or Symptoms of Emptiness?


Guest blog post by Alana Vial from Daughterly Care
For those who have elderly people in their homes or families, we cannot deny the fact that when something goes wrong or deviates from their usual activities of daily living, we usually suspect that they have a health problem. However, not all elderly people showing signs of decreased physical activity or the desire to actively participate are having any health problems or possible symptoms of a disease.

Getting Healthy Skin With a Skin Care Regimen

Consider a skin care regimen for healthy skin. 

In incontinent individuals, absorption, fit, and other factors dealing with catching leaks is important, but so is skin care. When the skin is not properly cared for, it can become compromised. Skin breakdown, irritation, rashes, ulcers, pressure sores, and more can occur, leading to significant discomfort, infection, and can even lead to amputation of limbs. 

Healthy skin is not something that should be ignored, especially if you are incontinent, or a caregiver for someone who is incontinent. Here are a few reasons you should consider a skin care regiment:

The Better Business Bureau Gives Terror Group Hamas an 'A' Rating

The Better Business Bureau was accused by business owners of running a "pay for play" scheme in which A plus ratings are awarded to those who pay membership fees, and F ratings used to punish those who don't.
To prove the point, a group of Los Angeles business owners paid $425 to the Better Business Bureau and were able to obtain an A minus grade for a non-existent company called Hamas, named after the Middle Eastern terror group.
This was exposed by Brian Ross on ABC's 20/20.  He also found that the BBB gave an A rating to a neo-nazi group (who paid the fee).
Following this 'pay for play' scheme exposure, we at The CareGiver Partnership, quit paying the this fee as we felt it was extortion.
Now the BBB, places the following statement above our A+ rating -- "This business in not BBB accredited".  To the average consumer, this language has a negative connotation.  The so called shake down racket, pressures small businesses like ours to pay to have this statement removed.
I asked the BBB to change the language to this "The CareGiver Partnership has elected not to pay the BBB required fee in order to become 'accredited'.  They flatly said they could not and would not change it.  Since 2006 when we started our small business, we have never had a single
The credibility and reliability of BBB is completely tarnished.
Luckily, there are new organizations such as Stella Service that actually shops retailers, calling them, ordering products, arranging for returns and determining how long a product takes to be delivered.  This is a true consumer service.  Stella does not accept any funds from businesses, they are totally unbiased. 

10 Things You Should Say to a Family Caregiver


by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and one way to recognize those who give so much of themselves is to simply acknowledge the great job they’re doing.

How To Care For Dehydrated Skin

Moisturize and Protect Daily to keep skin healthy and hydrated.
Dehydrated skin should be a concern for incontinent individuals and their caregivers. Dehydrated skin can be only temporary, or it may be a lifelong condition or concerns. However, when skin loses its natural moisture, and becomes dry, it becomes more susceptible to breakdown, chaffing, cracking, and infection. Skin health is an important factor in proper incontinence care. 

A lot of factors can contribute to dry skin. It is important to recognize what increases the risks of dry skin, and take steps to prevent or correct such situations. 


Eat Right: Prevent High Blood Pressure and Strokes

Madeline Ferdinand
I’m Madeline Ferdinand. Two years ago my mother had a stroke, and I became fascinated with naturally improving cardiovascular health. I care for my mom at my family’s home where we unceasingly snack on almonds and drink tea.

Once you start getting older, it’s important to stay away from certain foods. Foods that increase blood pressure are especially dangerous. Increased blood pressure can cause heart disease, a heart attack, or even a stroke. There are several factors that can cause your blood pressure increase – thus increasing your risk of a fatal cardiovascular incident – such as, smoking, drinking alcohol, and stress. Unfortunately, high blood pressure can also be hereditary.

No matter the cause of high blood pressure, however, sticking to a healthy, low-salt diet will help lower blood pressure and therefore decrease your risk of heart problems and stroke. It’s much better to make a positive change in lifestyle rather than start taking medication. Here’s what you should include in your diet:

Flavorful flavonoids

Flavonoids are found in a large variety of plants. Remarkably, flavonoids help decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure making them a great addition to any diet. The foods that have flavonoids include: onions, kale, green beans, celery, broccoli, and dark chocolate (yum!). There are also flavonoids found in white and green tea, so have a chocolate and tea party!

There is a compound in flavonoids called flavones that can help reduce the risk of a stroke in particular. The fruits and vegetables with the most flavones come from citrus fruit and fruit juice. Fruit smoothies, anyone?

Within flavonoids is another compound called anthocyanin. This compound also helps prevent cardiovascular disease and decreases the rate of cognitive decline that comes with aging. This compound can be found most abundantly in darkly-pigmented fruits, such as: blackberries, blueberries, plums, and strawberries.

First class fiber

The intake of high-fiber foods has been proven to reduce the risk of stroke by 7% per 7 grams added to a daily fiber intake. The best kind of fiber is found in beans, nuts, or any other food with water-soluble fiber. Other fibers will still help (like cereal or insoluble fibers), but not as much.

Most people eat around 13-17 grams of fiber per day. To get to the recommended amount of fiber, increase that number up to 21-25 grams for women or 30-38 grams for men. Here’s an easy way to start increasing your fiber intake: switch from white bread to whole wheat and get whole wheat noodles when you can. Pistachios, almonds, carrots, bran, barley, and brown rice are also great sources of fiber. Why not add these into your daily meal plans and make your heart happier?

Plentiful Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that helps control blood pressure and improves heart function. According to this study, an increase in potassium intake decreases the risk of a stroke by 24%. That is a huge deal! Moreover, potassium is important for maintaining normal cell function and can increase the overall health of your cardiovascular system.

Many fruits and vegetables are a good source of potassium (they also have flavonoids, hitting two birds with one stone). Foods that are labeled as organic will generally have more potassium than others. Fertilizers and pesticides reduce the amount of potassium in plants. Add these foods to your diet to increase your potassium intake: almonds, cantaloupe, dates, figs, bananas, kiwi, plums, raisins, and avocados.

Mouthwatering Magnesium

Magnesium is another great mineral that can help protect your cardiovascular system and prevent strokes. A study by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that for every 100 milligrams of magnesium added to a diet per day, the risk of stroke decreased by a staggering 8%.

Here are some magnesium rich foods: leafy vegetables, beans, rice, nuts, and whole-grain products (fiber!). An added 100 milligrams to your daily diet isn’t as scary as it sounds. It would really only take an ounce of nuts, a cup of beans or rice, or 3 cups of spinach. Easy peasy!

As you can see, it’s easy to add these vitamins and minerals to your diet to help out your cardiovascular system, lower your blood pressure, and decrease your risk of stroke. The best part? They all come from the earth.

Be wary of medications at odds with healing

High blood pressure medication (described as blood thinners) can be harmful. Maintaining your blood pressure naturally is always better than waiting until drugs are needed. Blood thinners such as Warfarin, Coumadin and Pradaxa all can cause internal bleeding. Unlike the others though, the bleeding caused by Pradaxa cannot be stopped, making the risks so much higher.

Remember, you can prevent strokes and other health complications by eating right, abandoning harmful habits, and making an effort to exercise. Your health and happiness are on the line, so take care of your body the way nature intended.

For further reading on related topics:

Call us. We're here to help.
Help support this ad free blog by answering several questions about caregiving here. It will take just two minutes. 

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.

Clean, Moisturize and Protect Skin to Reduce Risk of Ulcers

Clean, Moisturize and Protect Skin to
Reduce Risk of Ulcers
If you are, or you care for someone who is, incontinent, it is important to clean, moisturize, and protect the skin to reduce the risk of ulcers. 

What are ulcers?

An ulcer is a sore on the skin. It typically starts as an irritation, or reddening to an area, and can lead to disintegration of tissue, loss of epidermis, dermis, and even subcutaneous fat.

Ulcers are most common in the lower extremities, and in the gastrointestinal tracts. They can become infected, and pus and a mucous membrane can form. They are sometimes referred to as pressure sores or bed sores.

The Importance of Meaningful Activities for Seniors with Dementia

The ROS Therapy System
Meaningful activities are of the upmost importance to those living with dementia. Many studies have shown that when a structured activity program is introduced, there is improvement in physical and mental capacity, as well as, improved emotional, behavioral and spiritual demeanor. When you engage someone by individualizing an activity, you offer them a chance to improve their quality of life on many levels.

Improved health. Inactivity can lead to general health issues and further immobility. Physical activity does increase cognitive functioning in those with dementia. A structured activity program is a great way to begin a small amount of physical activity.



Engaging someone in an activity gives their brain a workout. Studies have shown that engaging someone in a structured activity program can actually slow the progression of dementia. Furthermore, by participating in a meaningful and interesting activity, he or she will often see an improvement in self-esteem. By giving someone a sense of purpose, you give them a reason to feel good about themselves again.

Caregivers will benefit from an activity program. Consider this: if your loved one is engaged in an activity they enjoy, they won’t be shadowing you, repeating questions or exhibiting other bad behaviors. It will give you more time to enjoy your loved one and do the things you need to do.

An activity program is a great way to begin to reintroduce those living with dementia to a social circle. Isolation can lead to an increased rate of cognitive decline. In fact, in a recent study, researchers found that those experiencing moderate loneliness were twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia.

All too often we see people thrust into a caregiving situation that they may not be prepared for. Introducing a structured activity program will benefit both those living with dementia and their caregivers. To effectively engage someone, the activity must be individualized and appropriate on a cognitive and physical level. Completing an assessment before introducing a new activity program is strongly recommended so you can get an idea of where to start. Engaging the person in a discussion of their likes and dislikes will give you a great idea of how to tailor the activity towards them. Consider things like hobbies, occupations and so on to get a deeper understanding of their past to have the best chance of engagement.

About R.O.S Therapy Systems. R.O.S. Therapy Systems began as a simple backyard project to improve the quality of life of one man in his 25 year fight against Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Over the past several years, R.O.S. has grown into a company with a complete Activities Program of innovative products and training courses that are now used by families, agencies and Long Term Care facilities caring for seniors around the world. Creating solutions where there are needs, R.O.S. will continue to introduce products and services that help all caregivers – Family, Agency and Institutional. R.O.S. Therapy Systems was founded by Scott Silknitter of Greensboro, NC in 2010. Visit www.rostherapysystems.com to learn more.


Call us. We're here to help.
Help support this ad free blog by answering several questions about caregiving here. It will take just two minutes. 

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.

Women Managing Incontinence Have Unique Needs and Solutions

Lynn Wilson

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

Just as recent findings on bacteria in women’s bladders may help doctors treat urinary problems, manufacturers of incontinence products also help meet the unique needs of women. Read on to learn how.

Bladder Control Problems For Women: Lifestyle Strategies for Relief

Take steps to get some relief
 from an overactive bladder.
Many women suffer from an overactive bladder of incontinence. It can be embarrassing to talk about this problem, leaving many with few ideas for how to manage their condition and find relief. The average woman waits 6 years before consulting a healthcare professional about their incontinence. 

Stop waiting, take steps today to get some relief. The following are ten lifestyle strategies that can offer relief, reduce symptoms, and help you feel more in control of your incontinence.

A Lot of Value From a Quirky Little Image

Scan this code to join our list.  Get
special offers and valuable information.
Our mission at The CareGiver Partnership is to help family caregivers so that their loved ones can remain in their homes as long as possible. 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 CareGiver Partnership is a leading direct to consumer retailer of adult diapers for urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence, including brands such as Depend, Poise pads, TENA pads, Attends, Prevail, SureCare, Tranquility and Wellness briefs. We offer nearly 600 different adult diapers, incontinence pads, adult pads, adult cloth diapers and bed pads.

Why buy from The CareGiver Partnership?

Customers say the main reasons they purchase their bladder control products from The CareGiver Partnership is because of the convenience of fast and free doorstep delivery ($50+), customer service excellence and dependability of delivery so they Never Run Out. They receive their delivery within 3 to 5 days, often just 1 or 2 days. Plus they can call for expert advice if needed. 1-800-985-1353 9-4 CST M-F.

Wide selection. Always in Stock.

They appreciate the ability to choose from more styles, sizes, absorbencies and brands than the stores -- nearly 600 -- nearly 10 times more. Always being in stock and the ability to try samples before they buy (over 100 choices for $3.49 S&H) is also important.

Try our Sample Service to avoid wasting money on trial and error.
While incontinence products are our specialty, we also offer 3,000 skin care, mobility, daily living aids (eating, dressing, bathing, toileting) and even freshly prepared home delivered meals for those who can’t get out.

Try the Incontinence Product Finder,
a free and easy tool to help you find the right product.

Knowledgeable Product Specialist Team

Each of our Product Specialists are women. Why? Because the majority of our customers are women and they told us they’d prefer to speak to a woman if they call. We answer most calls by the third ring by the way. Moreover, each has been or currently is, a caregiver herself. Most importantly, they are all highly knowledgeable about the more than 500 incontinence products we offer.


Stores offer limited selection and no advice

It's challenging to get good advice. The stores only carry a limited selection and the people there aren't knowledgeable - especially the 18 year old stock clerk. The pharmacists are too busy behind the counter to help these days. And they don’t offer samples or free doorstep delivery.

Convenient Never Run Out Automatic Scheduled Delivery Service

Many customers appreciate the very convenient Never Run Out automatic scheduled delivery service where they choose how often they want delivery. They save $8 off their their first order and 5% on subsequent deliveries. The NRO order can be adjusted, paused or even cancelled at any time by simply sending an email or calling 800-985-1353. That’s it - very simple and convenient.



NRO automatic scheduled delivery service...it's simple and convenient. 

Interested in joining our list for special offers and valuable information? Just scan the code at the top of this article.  Or, we encourage you to call us and speak to one of our knowledgeable Product Specialists if that is more convenient for you. 1-800-985-1353 (M-F 9-4 CST).


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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

Interstitial Cystitis, Get the Facts

Get the facts. 

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic bladder condition resulting in more frequent urination. It is chronic inflammation of the bladder. The average healthy adult urinates about seven times a day, and rarely at night. Someone with IC may urinate as many as sixty times a day, with several nighttime trips to the bathroom.

Incontinence and Your Sex Life

Is your incontinence interfering with your sex life? 
Incontinence can take a toll on emotional and physical well being. One area that it often impacts, and is not often talked about, is how incontinence impacts sex. An overactive bladder can have a very negative impact on physical intimacy. However, how severe the impact depends on the type of incontinence the individual suffers from.

Decubitus Ulcer Prevention and Protection

Clean, Moisturize and Protect.
Decubitus ulcers are pressure sores, or bed sores, they can vary in degree of severity. They are caused by pressure to the tissue, often from being in the same position for too long. They can range from a mild pink coloration of the skin, that goes away quickly after pressure is relieved, to a sore that extends through the epidermis, the dermis, the subcutaneous fat, and even can extend through bone into internal organs.

Those who are in wheelchairs, are bedridden, or aged are at greater risk for developing decubitus ulcers. Often bedridden individuals also suffer from incontinence, (functional incontinence) and thus the skin may be further compromised due to exposure to feces and urine, prolonged wetness, and irritation caused by improperly sized absorbent products.

4 Places Caregivers Can Look for Financial Assistance

Family caregivers may find ways to get paid.

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

In recognition of National Family Caregiver Month in November, The CareGiver Partnership is publishing a series of articles that focus on making the family caregiver’s job easier. Here are four places caregivers can look for financial assistance.

How To Get a Good Night's Sleep Despite OAB/Incontinence

Get a good night's rest despite having an OAB.
Having incontinence can take a real toll on your ability to sleep. Getting up several times a night to use the bathroom means disrupted sleep at best. Sleep deprivation due to incontinence can have emotional and physical effects. In fact, in a study done on the effects of incontinence, most report that their sense of normalcy is impacted by sleep disruption. In addition to that, there are some other dangers. For example, leaking on the way to the bathroom can put you at risk for falls. So what can you do to get a good night’s rest despite having an overactive bladder? Consider the following:

Diabetes Related Pressure Sores, Treatment and Prevention

Diabetes and incontinence are linked. 
Pressure sores form when the bone squeezes your skin and tissue against an outside surface. This usually occurs where the bones are near the skin, such as hips, shoulders, knees, ankles, heels, elbows, and can even form between digits. 

For those with diabetes, pressure sores can occur due to the person being immobile, remaining in a bed, chair or wheelchair for extended periods of time, or due to incontinence. Diabetes and incontinence are linked, and incontinence can make individuals more prone to pressure sore. The excessive moisture softens the skin and reduces resistance.
Pressure sores can vary in severity. Some are simply mild reddening, while others can be craters that extend into muscle and bone. They can be very painful. Bedsores or pressure sores most commonly occur in those over 70 years old who are bedridden. 

One Reason Why Medicare is Broken


By Lynn Wilson
Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

This article is about one of my pet peeves – medical equipment that ‘we the people’ pay for, much of it unnecessary in the first place, and then is sold on the open market by people who didn’t pay for it in the first place so they can profit.

Why should this person pocket $799.99 when 'we the people' paid for this scooter?
Until about 2012, The Scooter Store spent $40 million+ a year convincing people they could get free power scooters. Their team of thousands would reportedly would strong arm some doctors to ‘prescribe’ their chairs, the majority of which were delivered to people who didn’t qualify (according to a congressional hearing). In the end, they fraudulently overbilled Medicare by up to $108 million. In early 2013, they were raided by the FBI. They will be totally out of business by years end.

Doug Harrison - Founder of The Scooter Store says he's proud of The Scooter Store
The man who created this monster, Doug Harrison arrogantly says he is ‘proud of what he created’. Is he proud that he bilked ‘we the people’ out of $108 million while he and his wife Suzanna continue living high on the hog in the lap of luxury? Is he proud that he jumped ship and pulled his money out of The Scooter Store retirement fund just before it imploded, leaving employees accounts devastated (they have filed suit)? Is he proud that he bilked millions from the town in Texas where his office was and left the town holding the bag? Is he proud that he cost thousands of employees in the lone star state their jobs?

The Government Created This Monster

Medicare created an environment where this type of theft and fraud could occur. There are people who received ‘free’ power chairs that are selling them on ebay for $800 and more. This is not ‘their’ chair. ‘We the people’ paid for it and it should be returned and lent to a person who truly needs it.

The rules need to change. When you no longer need a durable medical device, it must be returned and then destroyed, refurbished or repurposed. Selling a government funded device should be illegal.  Write your representatives and tell them so.


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