Discreet New Products for Fecal Incontinence

1 in every 12 people have ABL. 
You are not alone. 18 million have accidental bowel leakage. Studies show approximately 18 million U.S. adults have fecal incontinence also known as accidental bowel leakage (ABL). This amounts to about 1 in every 12 people. It is important to know people of any age can have fecal incontinence. However, it is more common in older adults. In addition, accidental bowel leakage or fecal incontinence is slightly more common among women.

This issue occurs when an individual has a problem controlling their bowels and solid or liquid stool is passed from the rectum. In addition, the person with this type of incontinence may be unable to reach a toilet in time or may not even have enough anal sensation to know they are having an accidental bowel leakage.

How Diabetes Affects the Elderly

Guest post by Aaron Farrington

I was at a party with a friend who I only knew for a few months, still learning who he was and learning more about his life. He was a very sociable, easygoing guy, with a great sense of humor, and the only point that he withdrew from the group was to get soda from his car. It was diet soda, which he had as a backup in case there would be none available at the party. “I have Type 2 diabetes,” he explained, and with seamless cleverness he followed with “it’s the kind that you have to earn.”

While we can all admire his attitude and having a sense of humor in dealing with a life-threatening illness, it’s a big issue that affects millions in the US and is a burden to many of our elders. Type 2 diabetes is also known as “adult-onset” diabetes and makes for 90-95% diagnosed cases of diabetes. It occurs as the combined result of an unhealthy lifestyle and the pancreas producing less insulin.

Diabetes is not only a difficult disease to cope with, but a widespread problem that is projected to only get worse.  As this educational infographic from the University of Arizona’s College of Nursing points out, 19.7 million adults in the US are living with diabetes, 40% of those cases (8.2 million) being undiagnosed. The problem is expected to increase, estimated to be prevalent among 12% of the US population by 2050. As the baby boomer population grows older, more caregivers should be prepared to handle not only more persons in need, but more affected by diabetes.

The elderly are already prone to a number of chronic illnesses, and diabetes is another struggle to those who are more in need of caregiving. Providing help requires an understanding of the condition and the needs of those affected, like making sure to have regular monitoring for blood glucose levels, and to plan a healthy diet supplemented with formulas to help regulate glucose levels. Not only providing caring for our elders, but being aware of their individual health problems and how to manage them are essential to caregiving.

There is a fairly high correlation between diabetes and incontinence as people age. Choosing the right product is confusing for many first time buyers. In fact, a study by Kimberly-Clark, makers of Depend and Poise showed that first time buyers waste $130 in trial and error mode trying to figure out the right product for them. A simple way to avoid this is to use this tool or call the experts at The CareGiver Partnership at 1-800-985-1353 M-F 9-4 CST. They have over 100 samples to try before you buy ($3.49 per sample pack).

I have more than one friend whose life has been affected by diabetes, and I also know the difficulty of putting a loved one under the care of others. A future with both the realities of diabetes and senior living coming together can be troubling. The best kind of comfort is knowing that professionals with the right knowledge and resources are there to help, ready to handle every need and address every concern for whoever they are accountable for.

Learn more about The Rise of Chronic Illness

Further Reading:  












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

Federal Court Protects Access to Incontinence Supplies

A win for anyone anywhere
who needs to access the right incontinence products.
Incontinence supplies are a medical necessity

Recently, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voided a cost-saving bid by Arizona’s Medicaid program to deny incontinence briefs to adults who need them. This was done after the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) argued incontinence products are only medically necessary when they are prescribed to treat skin infections or breakdown which was the result of incontinence. They also stated many doctors were writing prescriptions for incontinence supplies before these medical problems even surfaced. However, the 3 judge panel used the the AHCCCS own rules, which states incontinence supplies can be prescribed “to prevent disease, disability, or other adverse health conditions or their progression”. This was a win not only for the people of Arizona but anyone anywhere who needs to be able to access the right incontinence products.

Once you or someone in your care has received a diagnosis of incontinence it can seem overwhelming trying to find the right incontinence supplies in order to help you manage this issue. However, the good news is there are things which can help to make this easier and less frustrating. By keeping certain issues in mind you can find the right incontinence products which will help you to manage and deal with your own incontinence or that of your loved one. Here are 4 of the important questions you should ask.

How To Make Sure Caregivers are Providing Your Loved One the Dignified Care They Deserve

Feel reassured your loved one is receiving the dignified
care which you expect and they deserve.
Studies show one of the main issues for caregivers who are providing care for an elderly loved one is the feeling of being alone. Caregiving in whatever form can be an isolating experience. However, you may be surprised to learn nearly 29% of the U.S. population report spending an average of 20 hours per week caring for a loved one. This means if you are a caregiver for a senior you are certainly not alone!

Caregiving for seniors has changed dramatically within the last 50 years. It used to be families were able to take an elderly loved one into their home to provide care. But the reality of two income families and large geographical distances between family members, means this is not always possible. Often times many family members must turn to assisted living and senior care centers for the senior in their life. Or they may have to hire a company to provide care in the home. While this can certainly be a viable and safe option, many family members worry that they are making the right choice after hearing about the stories which fill the news about elder abuse and neglect. To address this growing need, there is a new service which can help you to make sure Grandma or Grandpa, or any loved one, is being taken care of in the way you expect. The use of a senior care auditor can help to make sure this happens whether you live down the street or across the country.

3 Reasons We Need Caregivers to Earn a Decent Living

The need for quality home health care continues to grow,
while the profession is one of the lowest paid. 
Despite a growing demand for home-based caregivers, the profession is one of the lowest paid and this can affect most of us. 

As thousands of baby boomers turn 65 every day, the demand for home health care steadily grows. Yet home-based caregivers remain among the lowest paid workers. When caregivers don’t have a stable standard of living, they cannot provide quality care. Agencies that employ home health aides have to balance keeping costs affordable for families who pay out of pocket with attracting quality employees. Even for family caregivers, the job is physically, emotionally and financially draining.

My 87 Year Old Mom's in Utah. I'm in Texas. I Worry How She's Being Treated.

Penrose Senior Care Auditors
ensure your senior loved-ones are okay. 
What to do when I’m so far away?

When it became apparent that my 87 year old Mother simply couldn’t live alone anymore I was overwhelmed with what we could do. Since my home is in Texas and my mother wanted to continue to live in Utah there didn’t seem to be a great solution. I worried that if my mom went to live in an assisted living community that I really wouldn’t know how she was doing or if she was being treated well. I worried that I could be paying for services that she wasn’t receiving. Worse was the fact that I simply couldn’t travel to Utah on a regular basis to check on her. The situation seemed hopeless until I found out about senior auditing. Suddenly there was a way that someone could be there on a regular basis even when I couldn’t!

Nicknames for Senior Body Parts

No doubt you can come up with a few nicknames of your own.
Shared, with permission, by Elaine M. Decker, social artist and columnist


I recently heard that Shonda Rhimes coined the word “vajayjay” as a nickname for a female body part because network censors wouldn’t let her use the anatomical label in scripts for her hit TV show, Grey’s Anatomy. Then I caught The View’s Rosie Perez using “hooha,” also a popular nickname for… well, you know. It occurred to me that seniors and those caring for the elderly need alternative names for certain body parts, ailments and medical devices. The ones whose real names somewhat awkwardly describe… well, you know that, too. 


I’ve put together a starter list for all of us. The official names are shown first, then the slang. I’ve also provided a sentence or two using the nickname and/or elaborating on it. I hope you find these colorful terms useful in your conversations with family, friends and physicians.

Making Sure Your Mom Is Getting the Care She Deserves

Making sure your mom is getting the care she deserves. 
Finding the right place for you mom is a challenging and frightening choice

I never imagined I would be in the position of trying to find my mom somewhere safe to live halfway across the country from me! When it became apparent my mom simply couldn’t live on her own anymore, it fell to me as her only daughter to find her somewhere to live where she could be comfortable and safe. When she didn’t want to leave the area she had lived in most of her life I began looking for centers where she could stay close to the friends and family members who lived by her. However, I was frightened after hearing stories of elder abuse and neglect and I couldn’t imagine how this could work if she wouldn’t come live closer to me.

Fortunately, I learned I wasn’t on my own when it came to making sure my mom was receiving the care she needed and deserved. Now there is a new service available that audits the care a loved one is getting: senior care auditing.  Senior care auditors makes sure, whether you live near to or far from your loved one they are being given care in a caring and respectful manner. Hiring a senior care auditor signals to caregivers that you are engaged in your loved ones care.  This almost always results in better care.  Penrose Senior Care Auditors created this new service and provides many benefits. There are several benefits they provide.  Here are three of them-

3 Tools to Help Avoid Back Pain When Getting Into & Out of a Car

Metro Car Handle Plus.
1 of 3 Tools to Help Avoid  Back Pain
When Getting Into & Out of a Car. 
If you’re like most caregivers around the country, you have probably helped your elderly friend or loved one get in-and-out of the car thousands of times. This can become a strenuous and sometimes painful activity for everyone involved. As the elderly lose their mobility, getting in-and-out of a car can become annoying and frustrating. For caregivers, frustration and annoyance are mere afterthoughts of the back or hip pain they may experience from the strain of constant lifting. In this post, we’ll share some solutions that we’ve found and that work for us.


For about seven years, I watched my mother spend day after day caring for my aging and very ill grandmother. She would help my Grandma Max with every daily activity including eating, bathing, and using the bathroom. In those seven years, I never heard one complaint from mom about all of the very personal things she had to do in order to care for my Grandma Max. However, there was one activity that my mother absolutely loathed, helping Grandma Max in-and-out of the car. This was a task that my 5’3” 135 lbs. mother was not able to do easily. Going to the pharmacy, grocery store, or doctor’s office became a nightmare for my mother, all because of she had to hold my grandmother’s weight as she sat in the car, and then help lift her up out of the low seat.

5 Signs Your Parent or Loved One Needs a Bed Rail

5 signs that your parent or loved one needs a bed rail. 
Caregivers around the world spend millions of dollars each year on products and services that will help prevent falls in the bathroom, living room, and stairs.  Unfortunately, one area of the home that many caregivers may neglect or forget about is the bedroom. 

Suprisingly, nearly 2 million people worldwide will visit the emergency room this year due to falling out of bed.[1] Despite all the feather pillows, thick mattress, and shag carpet, a bedroom fall can be extremely detrimental to both the physical and emotional health of any senior.  Bed rails and bedside handles can easily prevent a costly injury to your loved one.

Here are 5 signs that your parent or loved one may need a bed rail:

This is How Many Men With Incontinence Feel

Abena Abri-Man: The Male Incontinence Specialist

Tim had been suffering from incontinence for years as a result of an enlarged prostate. He tended to avoid going out with friends. His golf game even suffered and he began to lose touch with friends. After using makeshift solutions including tissue and feminine pads, Tim resigned himself to the fact he needed to do something. But what?

He Googled ‘incontinence products’ and noticed a company named The CareGiver Partnership. He asked his wife to call them (he was too embarrassed) to find out what they might propose. The nice ladies at The CareGiver Partnership have over 10 years experience with every conceivable type of incontinence product - from all over the world - over 650 choices believe it or not. Each of the ladies has also been a caregiver so they understand the privacy and dignity issues surrounding incontinence.

Caregivers are Frustrated, Frantic, Frazzled and Fatigued

5 helpful tips for eco-friendly caregivers 
Guest Post by Beth Kelly

Caregivers tell us they’re frustrated, frantic, frazzled and fatigued. We've spoken with thousands on the phone and do so everyday.

The last thing a caregiver needs to feel guilty about is not doing their part for the environment. Its the furthest thing from their minds - being green, being environmentally conscious, being eco-friendly, managing your carbon footprint, being eco-friendly, living green, and other buzzwords like ‘sustainable’. Its a bit too much sometimes. Especially when someone like Al Gore is giving a speech about it and then takes off on a 12-person Gulf stream jet with just himself on board.

There are, however some simple things you can do. The recent recession opened new doors for environmental conservation - even for those helping care for loved ones. In a world increasingly impacted by the effects of climate change, it’s more important than ever support efforts that promote sustainability and green living. Supporting the environment and saving money as long as it doesn't cost you time makes both sense and “cents.”

With this in mind, there are a handful of simple options for you to consider. God knows you have enough on your plate. Examples are reusable adult diapers and recycled or re-purposed handicapped shower modifications.

Win a FREE Stander Security Product and Case of Abena

Check out our FREE March 2015 product giveaway! 
As part of our “Helping You Get On With Life” monthly sweepstakes, we are giving away a prize bundle that includes a Stander security pole with grab bars and a case of Abena disposable products. 

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

This month, you can enter for a chance to win both these prizes:

  • One case of any Abena product. Styles include Abri-Flex premium-quality protective underwear that feel more like regular underwear, superabsorbent Abri-Form briefs with soft outer cover, or absorbent pads for men or women. The winner chooses style and size. Valued at up to $159.
  • One security pole and curved grab bar by Stander. Floor-to-ceiling pole with four grab bars helps anyone safely rise to a standing position. Pole can be tension mounted in minutes, or permanently mounted using the included wrench and wood screws. Slim design fits in tight spaces, such as between a tub and toilet or next to a bed, sofa or chair. Valued at $209.99.
For a chance to win this valuable prize package, e-mail us at info@caregiverpartnership.com or mail a short statement explaining why this prize would be useful to you or a loved one. Entries will be accepted through March 31, 2015, and the drawing winner will be notified the first week of April.

Further Reading: 






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 www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.


How To Increase Your Bladder Control Protection


Prevail Bladder Control Pads Ultimate- 16"
While caring for my mother and helping her manage her incontinence I began to notice that the incontinence product she was using was not offering enough protection. More and more frequent changes needed to be made and often times I had to help my mother change clothes and even clean up leaks and accidents on furniture and bedding. The situation was highly frustrating and embarrassing for Mom. A friend introduced me to the idea of using a booster pad with a more absorbent garment.  Booster pads are designed to fill up and then over flow into the garment below.  Regular feminine care or incontinence pads are not. 

Prevail Bladder Control Pads Ultimate-16are made to help a regular incontinence product provide a higher level of protection against leaks and accidents. While they can be used by themselves, when they are used with another incontinence product for moderate to heavy incontinence they can provide higher levels of absorbency and reliability. Many people who are dealing with incontinence prefer to have to simply change their incontinence pad rather then constantly having to change their adult diaper. Prevail Bladder Control Pads-16” can help you to effectively manage your incontinence or that of someone in your care. Following are 3 reasons Prevail Bladder Control Pads Ultimate-16” can be the right incontinence product to help you manage your needs are: