When To Make a Switch With Your Incontinence Products

When should you make a switch? 

When it comes to incontinence there are a lot of options for absorbent products, and buying the wrong ones can get costly. Recognizing when the products you are using are not working for you can help save headache and expense.

Sometimes a product works well for a while, but needs change. What would cause your absorbent needs to change? There are a number of factors that can contribute to a change in your incontinence. For many men who have had prostate surgery, incontinence gradually lessens as time passes and the muscles strengthen. Thus, right after surgery they may need a pull on style absorbent product, but can transition down to a guard, and eventually nothing.

So when should you make a switch? Changing incontinence products is a personal decision that should be made with the help of a doctor or caregiver. The best way to determine if you need a different product is to evaluate the effectiveness of your current product. Make a switch:

• If you feel discomfort. 
• If you are not getting the protection you need.
• If you are getting too much protection. 
• If you are not getting the discretion you want.
• If another option would work better for your situation.

In order to get the best protection, at the best value, evaluate the level of incontinence, your needs, and find products that give you the right fit and coverage. To do this, you must understand what your product options are, and which products would best suit your body type, your gender, and your absorbency needs.

Incontinence products range from the brief or adult diaper, which is the most absorbent option to pads and liners, which are for light incontinence. Let’s take a look at what options exist:

Briefs/adult diapers- These are designed for men and women. They offer the highest level of protection and absorbency for those with heavy to complete loss of bladder and bowel control. These offer tape tabs for removal by caregivers, and ease of use.

Pull-on – These are similar to an adult diaper or brief, but pull up and down like traditional underwear, and provide protection for moderate to heavy incontinence. They offer cloth-like stretch panels for superior comfort, and tear away sides for easy removal.

Boxers- These are stylized pull ons, they are for men who want the look and feel of regular boxer style underwear with as much absorbency as a pull-on option. These are awesome for discretion as they look and feel like boxers.

Adjustable underwear- This is another absorbent product that is designed for both men and women. They have tabs to reposition and adjust for fit. They also offer tear away sides for easy changing. They are great for moderate incontinence.

Undergarments- These are designed for more than a light leak, but not a full void. They are held in place with an elastic strap, and fasten with buttons and straps.

Booster pads and inserts- They are exactly what they sound like, a way to boost protection. These are pads designed to offer extra protection to other incontinence products. They are not to be used alone, but in conjunction with disposable underwear, briefs, etc.

Pads and Guards- These are designed for light bladder leakage, pad adheres to cloth underwear with an adhesive strip, and can be used with disposable underwear. Pads are for women, and some are designed with specific body types in mind, these are different from period pads, but are used the same way. Guards are the male version of the pad. 

Watch this video: How to Choose the Right Incontinence Product

It can be hard to know if a different product, brand, style, size, or absorbency would work better for you, and buying case after case of product, only to find they are not what you need is expensive. Instead, consider ordering samples. A set of 4 products can be ordered for just $3.49 allowing you to try before you buy. In addition, you can call 800-985-1353 M-F 9-4 CST to talk to one of our product specialists. This is an all-female team who have each been a caregiver to a loved one. Since this is their only business, they know incontinence products inside and out, and want to help you.

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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