Category Archives: BladderMatters

Tips for Keeping Your Bladder (and You) Healthy

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on November 11, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

We are currently in Bladder Health Week AND Bladder Health Awareness Month. But what do those two mean for you personally?

Well, every person, continent or not, should be doing their best to keep their bladder healthy. For many people, that’s as simple as staying hydrated (the quoted figure of drinking eight 8-ounce glass of water a day isn’t necessarily right for everyone, but it’s a number to strive for) (and don’t forget that all liquids count towards that goal). Additionally, people should take cues from their bladders and use the restroom before it becomes an emergency. And of course get yearly physicals.

But there’s more than that for many of the people who are incontinent. Maintaining bladder health in the face of the threat of urinary tract infections (UTIs), compromised skin and other potential problems can be more than difficult. Not to mention the issues that are causing the incontinence.

The best way for those with incontinence to skirt UTIs is to not wear a wet brief for longer than necessary. Additionally, very absorbent briefs can whisk the moisture away from the skin. As long as the area is dry, there is no need to change the diaper immediately. However, all briefs should be changed if there are feces in the brief, as that is a major carrier or bacteria.

Keeping skin clean and dry and bacteria free can also help with bladder health. It will keep UTIs at bay and maintain a better pelvic environment overall. One suggestion is to use gentle cleansing wash on the area.

What are your best tips for maintaining bladder health? We’d love to hear this this week, month, or anytime!

How to Keep a Senior’s Home Sweet-Smelling

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on November 5, 2014 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Everyone wants to make sure that their home smells lovely, and is inviting to their guests. But as seniors age, their sense of smell can become diminished. Additionally, they may not be able to perform the upkeep and cleaning tasks that can be necessary to keep a home or apartment or room smelling nice. Sometimes they need some help. Check out the below tips to keep the scents pleasant.

Make sure their incontinence products are a perfect fit
Small urine leaks can dry quickly and leave nary a sign that they ever existed … except for odor. If your loved one has a favorite chair, and a slight leak, their clothes may be washed within a few days, but perhaps not the chair. Incontinence products must fit correctly if they’re going to prevent leaks. Do not buy a larger size of diaper or pull-up because you think they may be more absorbent – that isn’t how they work. You can read more about how to prevent leaks in our blog post here.

Get the carpets cleaned at least once a year
Regular vacuuming can help, but a proper steam cleaning can deal with stains, odor and more. You can rent a steam cleaner from the store, or get a professional cleaning.

Dispose of incontinence products correctly
Don’t just throw away disposable briefs any old place. Try to keep their disposal inside one room. Ideally, a garbage can that can individually package each diaper is best, such as ones from Akord.

Don’t just cover up smells – eliminate them
While diffusers, wall-plugs and other good smelling items can make a room smell nice, they’re not getting rid of the bacteria that is causing the odor. Try spraying Fabreeze or another product that specifically states that it eliminates odor-causing bacteria.

Check for UTIs
Urinary tract infections can cause pungent odors in urine, sometimes more than the average disposable brief can deal with. If you feel that your senior’s scent has changed dramatically for the worse in a small amount of time, or if there are any other side effects, like an unwillingness to use the restroom or a change in behavior, have a doctor test them. Checking for UTIs only involves a urine test, so can be diagnosed quickly.

What other tips do our blog readers have? We’d love to hear them!

How to Dispose of Incontinence Products

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on October 17, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Knowing how dispose of incontinence products is useful in your own home and when you’re out and about. Odor is a concern for both situations. And being discreet can be a thought when leaving the house for a few hours. So how can you solve these two issues and have good diaper etiquette?

Let’s start with inside the privacy of your own home. Many incontinence products, including those from Prevail, have odor control, but after a few days, the odor reducing components may start to break down. And taking out the trash everyday can be a pain. The best path is to get a diaper pail, like the ones made for children’s diapers, but larger. Having each incontinence product wrapped in its own plastic bubble helps immensely with odor. There are several companies that offer such products, including Akord.

On the go, it’s recommended that, along with extra incontinence items, you take a couple of disposable plastic bags. The type you receive your groceries in at the supermarket are not recommended. They can be easily ripped on the trip home from the store and even a small hole can release odor. Try the smallest garbage bags at the store and tie them shut with twisty-ties. These are often opaque and can be thrown away while out and about. Or if you’d rather not throw them in a foreign garbage can, you can always use regular plastic baggies that zip closed. These are generally see-through, but if you’re keeping your items in your purse, that won’t matter. If you’d prefer a scented bag, Heaven Scent makes perfumed bags specifically for incontinence product disposal.

With these tips, you should be able to eliminate odor issues and discreetly dispose of your diapers and pads. If you know of more tips to help solve these problems, please let us know in the comments!

Product Samples We Offer

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on October 10, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Starting to use a new product or switching to a different brand can be a daunting task. Not least because sizes can vary between brands, or you may not know where to start. While all our incontinent product sizes are based on waist size, a product may rise too high on the hips or be otherwise uncomfortable. For this reason, we offer samples of our products. Check out our most popular:

Prevail Extra Adult Pull-Up Sample
This protective underwear comes in five sizes, from small to 2XL, with a range of a waist sizes from 20 to 80 inches. These pull-ups are our top sellers, and we want to make sure that our customers are satisfied with them before they order a case.

Prevail Underpad Sample 30 x 30 Sample
No worries with a perfect fit for your body, but what if you wanted to check out how the underpad (also known as chux) fits on your favorite chair? If it was comfortable to sleep on? You can answer both these questions (and more) quickly, with the two samples that arrive in this pack.

Cuties Baby Diapers Sample
Just because your baby’s diaper is getting tighter, does that mean you’re ready to move up to the next size? Are you ready to buy and use that new case of the next size up, or will it have to spend some time in that already too full closet? Make life easier by having a few sizes of diapers handy. Cuties come in sizes from Newborn to size six (over 35 pounds) so you should be set through all those growth spurts.

The best part about our Prevail product samples? They cost three dollars for the sample and come with a nine dollars off coupon! So once you do pick what type and size you want, you’ll save right away!

Exercise and Incontinence

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on October 2, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

There’s no need for any type of incontinence to stop anyone from exercising. Maintaining your health is more important than any worries you may have about any of your fellow athletes discovering you’re even occasionally incontinent. But with the right preparation and products, no one need know anyway.

Stress incontinence can occur during running, working out on NordicTrack-like machines or exercising on stairs. When the pelvic floor is not up to holding in urine, it can leak when pressure is put upon it. To prepare for this, be sure to empty your bladder before starting a workout. And when you take a break half an hour in, use that time to head to the bathroom as well. You can also purchase incontinence products for the sole purpose of using them during exercise. Many of these products are discreet enough to wear under regular workout clothes, or if you’re feeling self-conscious, sweatpants are an option.

Frequent restroom visits will not help the issue if you’re experiencing urge incontinence. In this case, you’re likely on a schedule for when to use the restroom. But there are more ways to keep bladder leakage to a minimum while working out. Make sure you drink only water before and during your workout. Caffeinated drinks can irritate the bladder and make the urge to use the restroom worse. Additionally, sports drinks are often made with citrus components, which, again, can irritate the bladder.

When exercising the rest of your body, don’t forget about Kegels. These exercises work out the pelvic floor muscles and they’re important in the fight against incontinence. You can read more about Kegels for women and men, and more about the different types of incontinence. Have a great workout!

Three Things You Can Do To Prevent Falls

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 29, 2014 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

September is National Fall Prevention Month, to coincide with the start of the fall/autumn season. Falls are often the reason why seniors end up in the hospital. With so many situations where falls can be prevented, it’s worth the time to check and make sure the seniors you know are safe in their homes, nursing homes or while out and about.

Check on medications
Not only do medications affect each person individually, some medications can affect older people differently from the young. The elderly also tend to take more medications, which can lead to un-intended and sometimes dangerous drug interactions. The side effects of these medications can lead to dizziness, or confusion, both states which can creat a higher risk of falling. Caregivers should be certain to go over, and repeat if necessary, all medications their caree is taking to doctors, nurses and pharmacists. You never know who is going to catch an adverse combination.

Solve any incontinence issues
A common time when seniors fall is when they’re trying to get to the bathroom. The sudden urge to go and a diminished ability to walk can lead to a fall. Not only is it important to make sure that all paths to the restroom in the senior’s home are clear, incontinence problems should be addressed and solutions found. If the senior can wear a pad or a brief, then the need to get to the restroom quickly is mitigated. Additionally, nighttime falls are common, when the light is low and the senior may be disoriented. Sometimes using incontinence supplies only at night can solve this problem.

Help encourage balance
Physical therapy can be one way to help an elderly person regain their balance, especially after an injury or illness. Another way can be to try exercises that encourage balance, such as Tai Chi. Or simple stretches and strengthening exercises to make sure those muscles are there when needed.

To find more information and more ways to prevent falls, you can check out this National Council on Aging Page. And let us know in the comments how you prevent falls for your senior!

Great Products for Special Needs Kids

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 8, 2014 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

In most ways, special needs kids are just like other kids. They need food, shelter, entertainment and a few creature comforts (and of course love!). The products listed below are some ways to make their lives a little easier, more independent and accommodate those special needs.

Adaptive Utensils
These utensils can range from silverware with larger gripping areas to having special handles attached. The business end of the spoon or fork may be tilted one way or the other (depending on whether the user is right or left handed, or if they are being fed by someone else).

Weighted Blankets
This Forbes article talks about the benefits of weighted blankets for more than just special needs kids. Basically, anyone who has sleep issues may find them helpful. These blankets have been around for years but are becoming more popular now.

Sleep Overs Pull-Ups
Your child may still be wetting the bed at night, but they don’t need everyone to know. These pull-ups come in sizes up to 140 pounds and are very discreet. Now asking your kids to change into PJs while guests are over won’t be a “thing.”

A Tablet
Tablets are quite expensive, but if you can justify them as a therapeutic tool, you may be able to deduct the item on your taxes. There are many apps available for special needs, including a variety of speech apps. See this site for help with Tax Strategies for Parents of Special Needs Children for more information about deductions.

What products have you found most helpful for your special needs child? We’d love to hear from you!

Solutions for Diaper Rash

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 3, 2014 under BladderMatters, Everything Baby | Read the First Comment

The cause of diaper rash can be caused by several different issues. But the root of the problem is in the term itself. It’s diaper rash. Wouldn’t it just be so easy if that diaper didn’t have to be used? But if it’s necessary, what is the alternative?

Several sources suggest leaving the diaper off for extended periods of times. Well and good. But how to do that? How can the parents or caregivers create situations where a diaper isn’t needed?

Enter the underpad. Yes, underpads are often used as a backup to regular diapers, but they have more to offer. Especially during nap time.

With a baby, if you’ve observed that they don’t move too much during nap time, you can go ahead and take the diaper off. Place the child in their crib, on their back, with one or two underpads under them. With a boy, place a cloth over the groin. With disposable underpads, all urine will be quickly collected during naptime. Afterward, you can wipe the baby off or have a quick bath (warm water only, or a very mild soap).

With adults, an underpad can be used during naptime (during which people move around less than at night) or during some downtime. Reading or TV watching can pass the time while the area airs out. When ready to put the brief back on, use a soft cloth with warm water to wash the area, maybe some gentle wash. If you like, you can put cream on at this point, but stay away from powders like cornstarch or baby powder. Both can lead to a bacterial problem.

Much luck and tell us what you’ve had success with when diaper rash appears!

Talking with Others About Incontinence

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 2, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Discussing incontinence with your doctor is one thing. Talking about it with family and friends is another. It suddenly goes from being a medical issue to a personal one. Depending on your family, you likely don’t know the details of their bathroom habits. So why should they get to know yours?

Telling a friend or a family member can be beneficial for several reasons. You might find it somewhat therapeutic to share this detail with someone you’re close to. Or it could just be easier than trying to hide the problem.

When you take charge and tell that person, you’re taking control of the situation. If you don’t act embarrassed, the other person will likely follow your lead. If you are considering talking to someone about the issue, keep this in mind: how would you feel if someone came to you and told you they were incontinent? You’d probably just say “Okay.” As a contributor put it on the site IncontinentSupport.org, “[…]really I guess that is the way it should be – what difference does it make to me if someone I barely know is wearing a diaper? Big whoop.”

An explanation may be helpful as well. Although it’s up to you how much detail you want to share about your incontinence, your friend or loved one may be better able to process that information if you tell them how you came to be incontinent. Even a simple explanation of “I was in a car accident,” or “it’s a side effect of surgery,” can be helpful in their understanding of the condition.

Who knows about your incontinence should be up to you. At TotalHomeCareSupplies.com, our incontinence supplies are inconspicuous enough so no one can tell what you’re wearing – unless you tell them.

Group Vacations

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 27, 2014 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Summer vacations are coming to a close, but the fall is a great time to travel as well. Lower temperatures and fewer travelers can mean better deals and better experiences.

As a caregiver, you may find yourself longing for a vacation, but wondering how it’s possible to leave your charge. Or, perhaps your charge (your parents, child, sibling or other) has been asking to take a trip. How can you pull off taking a vacation with so many care issues to think about?

One option is to create a group to go on vacation with you. If there are more people than just you to help take care of your charge, there’s less for you to worry about. Are there siblings that can help out with your elderly parents? Can your parents help out with your special needs child? Coordinating times and destinations can be tough, but with the right planning, all parties can find enjoyable activities and alone time.

Another option is to participate in a pre-planned trip. Cruises have always been popular, but these days they are catering more and more to the aging population. Some cruises now provide help to their elderly passengers. Such a trip can provide the perfect setting: you as the caregiver get to make sure your parents’ care needs are being met, and there are opportunities to relax. And leaving the country isn’t necessary: river cruises mean less travel time to the boat and more scenery while on the ship.

Whether you decide on a private or group vacation, make sure to pack all supplies your charge needs in advance. TotalHomeCareSupplies.com has all the incontinence products you need for a great trip! Bon voyage!