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Incontinence Checklist How do I find the right assistive devices?
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You may have noticed that your loved one needs to use the bathroom constantly or occasionally wets themselves or has a bowel accident. This could be a sign of incontinence. To this day, incontinence remains a taboo subject for many people affected by it, often kept quiet due to feelings of shame and guilt. As a family caregiver, you face the challenge of handling this sensitive issue appropriately and tailoring your care to your loved one’s needs. With our checklist, we want to help you choose the best product for your loved one and provide you with guidance in this new situation.
What is incontinence?
Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine (urinary incontinence) or stool (fecal incontinence) and can have a variety of causes. Incontinence often occurs as a side effect of an underlying condition and, in these cases, is more of a symptom than a disease. An estimated 10 million people in Germany are affected by fecal or urinary incontinence. Women are more likely to suffer from urinary incontinence than men. Additionally, the risk of developing incontinence increases with age.
Checklist: How do I find the right incontinence product?
Don’t worry—there’s an incontinence product to suit every care recipient. Choose a product that best matches your loved one’s level of incontinence and the extent of support they need (mobile or bedridden). Each product is also available in different sizes and absorbency levels. With our checklist, you can easily find out which incontinence product is right for your loved one.
Correct product type
Choose the product type that best suits your loved one’s physical condition. The following factors are key: gender, the level of assistance required (mobile or bedridden), and physical and mental limitations.
- Light to moderate incontinence: Pads are particularly well-suited for this type of incontinence. They are discreetly attached to underwear and are ideal for mobile individuals requiring care, as they are discreet and offer the best possible quality of life.
- Moderate to severe incontinence in mobile individuals: If your loved one is mobile and can dress themselves, pull-ups are the best choice in this case. They can be put on and taken off like regular underwear and help your loved one maintain their independence while providing reliable protection.
- Moderate to severe incontinence in bedridden individuals: If your loved one is bedridden, you should choose products that can be put on while lying down; suitable options here include, for example, incontinence pants with a waistband (Flex) or disposable incontinence pants (briefs). They facilitate ergonomic product changes and are ideal for those in need of care who spend a lot of time in bed.
- Incontinence in Dementia: People with dementia often have difficulty coping with changes. Therefore, they are more likely to accept products that resemble regular underwear. These include, for example, pants that can be put on and taken off like underwear and are available in various colors.
Appropriate suction power
Choose an absorbency level that matches your loved one’s degree of urinary incontinence. If you’re not sure which absorbency level is right, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or home care provider for advice. At first, it may be helpful to try out different absorbency levels. A lower absorbency level often means more discreet products and less material usage.
**Care-Tip:** Use a urination log to keep a written record of your family member’s fluid intake and bathroom habits. This will help you determine the volume of urine produced and select the appropriate absorbency level. You can find a template for a voiding chart here: Voiding Chart Template
Ideal product size
Did you choose the right size? The right size is crucial for comfort and leak protection. If the product doesn’t fit snugly against your body, it won’t be able to provide its full absorbency. Just like with regular clothing, incontinence products come in different sizes. Here, too, it can be helpful to try out different sizes at first to find the best fit.
Cared for at home – protected by Tena
As a caregiver, dealing with a loved one’s incontinence and choosing the right incontinence products can feel overwhelming at first. With the right checklist and Tena’s reliable product range, you can find the best product for your loved one. Tena offers both day and night products that ensure optimal protection and comfort.
Visit the online store to select the right incontinence products, or simply ask for them at your local pharmacy.
Care Tip: Did you know that you can also get incontinence products with a prescription? Tena products are medical devices that can be prescribed by a doctor. To qualify, you must have moderate incontinence (100 ml or more of urine in 4 hours). In addition, one of the following conditions must be met for a prescription:
A prescription enables participation in daily life
Connection to the treatment of a serious illness (e.g., pressure ulcers).
Prevention of severe functional impairments (e.g., prevention of skin conditions in dementia).
