7 Things to Watch for If Your Loved One is in a Care Facility

Rest assured of proper incontinence product management.

If you have a loved one in a care facility chances are you have heard horror stories of neglect, abuse, and other problems. You probably feel some guilt associated with their care. However, with proper monitoring and regular check ins you can insure the care facility is meeting your loved one’s needs, and those horror stories just stay stories. 

One potential problem area for care facilities is the mismanagement of incontinence products. With over half the population of nursing homes and care facilities experiencing some degree of incontinence, a significant sum of money is spent each year on these products, and the residents are the ones footing the bill. So how can you make sure your loved one’s incontinence products are not mismanaged and costing more than they should?

The following are seven things to look out for to rest assured of proper product management:

1. Proper evaluation of absorbent product needs: The first step in properly managing products is having the right products to begin with. The wrong products can lead to product failure and greater cost. Therefore, the facility should take time to evaluate the needs and severity of the incontinence, and help select the right type, fit, and size of incontinence product to meet those needs.

2. Proper storage of products: The second consideration is how products are stored. Are they in an easy to access location without monitoring? Are they organized and accounted for? Restricted access and organized management can help you feel secure in knowing the products are properly managed.

3. A plan for absorbent product usage: Is there a plan in place? What is the care facilities estimates for your loved one’s absorbent product needs? How accurate are their estimates? Do they account for changes in diet, health, and condition?

4. Tracking and monitoring of product use: Month to month usage should be consistent. Inconsistencies can point to mismanagement, but the only way to see these inconsistencies is if the product usage is tracked and monitored. According to national statistics, the cost of products is typically 8% of the total budget for care facilities, therefore a tracking and monitoring plan should not be overlooked.

5. Consistent product use: As previously mentioned, consistent use points to proper management, where inconsistent is a red flag. Pay attention to the numbers, and if there is a big difference month to month be sure to question the changes.

6. Waste avoidance: What steps is the facility taking to avoid waste? Can they articulate those steps to you?

7. Additional treatment and options for incontinence: Care facilities should seek to identify the underlying cause and create a treatment plan for incontinence, not just manage the symptoms with disposable absorbent products. Ask about this.

Further Reading: 

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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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