Tag Archives: adult diapers

Adult Briefs with a Better Fit

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on October 29, 2015 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

One of the reasons that adult briefs leak is that they don’t fit well. But what can a person do if they’re between sizes, or if they’re just more active than their brief will allow?

We recommend trying Prevail’s Stretch Fit. The main difference in these briefs from others in the Prevail product line are the tabs. The tabs stretch, creating the perfect brief for individuals who find themselves between sizes. Stretchy side panels are easy to grab, pull and attach for an adjustable fit that is secure and comfortable. Additionally, these tabs are the Easy-Lock Fastener^® (ELF^®) type – they grip and hold without being sticky. The entire outer cover is a refasten zone, allowing for multiple tab refastening for improved fit, accurate sizing and cost savings through reduced waste.

These briefs also have many of the features that make Prevail briefs both convenient to use and trustworthy. They have a simple design on the front of the brief that discreetly lets the user or the caregiver know what size is of the brief. The Skin Smart^® Fabric on the inside of the brief is hypoallergenic and contains aloe, chamomile and vitamin E for skin wellness. Lastly, the cloth-like outer fabric on the outside of the brief means better air flow for the wearer, and makes the brief less likely to rustle when the wearer is moving.

Please keep in mind that Prevail is in the middle of a packaging change, and so your briefs may or may not arrive looking just like the package shown here. But please be assured that the product on the inside is the same quality as always!

Closer Look Series: Adult Diapers

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on February 26, 2015 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

On many of our diaper descriptions, you may see words like, “cloth-back” or “zones.” We thought our customers might appreciate a closer look at the different words and phrases that are used to describe adult diapers.

Cloth-Like Outer Fabric
This is the material that makes up the “shell.” Do not worry that the back of a diaper isn’t plastic, or plastic-like – the majority of adult diapers on the market today do not use plastic shells, or backing, to make the diaper leak proof. Diapers are able to be leak-free due to their absorbent qualities; so, as long as the wearer has a good fit and the right absorbency, leaks should not be a worry. The pleasant qualities that the cloth-like outer fabric provides are less noise (no crinkle-factor), more comfort against the surrounding skin and a more breathable diaper. Those last two qualities help the wearer maintain healthier skin by keeping it dry and chafe-free.

Zones
The zones that are referred to in an adult diaper description are to let you know what each part of the diaper is supposed to do. Considering the anatomy of the adult, diapers will sometimes have “acquisition zones” either for liquid matter or fecal matter. “Zones” can also refer to the outside of the diaper where the fasteners can be placed (as some diapers have tabs that can just stick anywhere on the outside). There are also “breathable zones” where the diaper has less absorbency as a way of making sure your skin stays dry.

Stay tuned for more in our Closer Look series!

What to Do When First Experiencing Incontinence

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on February 12, 2015 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

When a person becomes incontinent, even temporarily, it can be an alarming situation. Suddenly, they’re thrust into a world of pads, liners, adult diapers and trying to pick what works best for them. There’s new terms and new diagnoses. It can be overwhelming. But, armed with information, someone can become an expert quickly.

Firstly, if you have been experiencing either bladder or bowel incontinence without having talked to your doctor about it, you should make an appointment immediately. You may find it embarrassing to have to discuss your incontinence with another person, but it’s important to know that people do not just “become” incontinent. It is a symptom, not a disease. There is a reason why you are experiencing incontinence. Some of those reasons can be treated easily, some may be more permanent, others could signal a much more serious problem. So checking in with your doctor should be your first priority.

Once you have a reason why you’re incontinent (and hopefully know which type of incontinence you’re experiencing), then it’s time to look at products. If you’re experiencing light bladder leakage (LBL), then you may be able to just use a liner or a pad. If you have more bladder leakage than either of those items can handle, or you’re experiencing bowel leakage, we would recommend either adult briefs or protective underwear. To determine the perfect item or perfect fit, you might find samples helpful. At TotalHomeCareSupplies.com, we have samples available for many of our products. And each of those samples comes with a coupon to use on a future order.

Then it’s just a matter of figuring out a routine that works for you. You may find other articles on our blog helpful like, How to Pack an Incontinence Emergency Kit, Comparing Adult Diapers to Protective Underwear and Controlling Incontinence with Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises.

If you are not a new player when it comes to the incontinence games, what advice would you give to our newbies? We’d love to hear them in the comments!

Products Offered at Total Home Care Supplies

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on February 3, 2015 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner, Everything Baby, Ostomy Care, Very Urological | Be the First to Comment

Every so often, it’s helpful to take a look at the variety of products that we offer on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com. While all of our products are well-made and user-friendly, they all differ so much it’s easy to forget all that we carry. So let’s take a look, one category at a time:

Incontinence
Our incontinence products are our biggest sellers, and we’re proud that so many people get the items for their independence from us. Along with the standard adult diapers (also known as briefs) and protective underwear (also known as pull-ups), we also have pads and liners. For light bladder leakage, a pad can be more freeing than a brief. Underpads (AKA chux) are available in a variety of sizes, along with gloves and many kinds of incontinence wash.

Ostomy
When it comes to ostomy products, we have many of the most popular items and brands. We have both drainable and closed-end pouches. We have 90 barriers with flanges, so you’ll be able to find the product that works best for you. And we have an assortment of accessories, including stoma powder, pouch closures and odor eliminator drops – the Hollister bottle of drops has great reviews.

Urological
You can find wholesale pricing on many of the catheters, leg bags and irrigation systems we offer. Our catheters are diverse, from external items to straight tip catheters and coude catheters. You can also find the major brands, like Mentor-Coloplast, Bard and Hollister.

Wound
We have all the supplies you’ll need for your particular injury, or to fill up your first aid kit. On top of the basic items like tape, wipes and bandages, we have gauze, foam dressings and wound cleansers. If you have a checklist of the things you’ll need to properly heal a surgery wound, you can find it on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

Baby Supplies
In addition to our adult diapers, we also carry baby diapers. Cuties diapers come in sizes newborn to size six. We also have breast pumps and a selection of accessories to accompany the pumps.

That’s about it. We know, it’s a lot of options! We hope we have everything that you’re looking for when it comes to home care supplies, but if not, we’d love to hear what we’re missing in the comments below!

Seniors and the Weather

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on December 31, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Extreme weather can be tougher on seniors than the rest of the population. When it’s dry, their skin becomes very dry. When it’s wet, driving in those conditions can become even more dangerous due to slower reaction times and decreased vision. With less fat than younger people, the cold can be much more uncomfortable, if not unsafe. And the heat can make life nearly unbearable and it can also be hazardous.

2014 has been a rough year weather-wise. The long California drought (which, despite recent rainfall, is not over – it will take about three years of regular rainfall to get the state back to “normal” conditions), the cold winter that started the year off and this was also the hottest year on record.

The ideal way to deal with weather and your senior are just keeping them cooler or warmer than you’d like to be, based on the environment. If it’s winter and you’re cold, your senior is likely colder. If it’s sweater weather outside, be sure to grab a coat for them before heading out for a walk. If it’s hot outside, maybe forgo the neighborhood stroll altogether. In both of these cases, a drive to the mall for some exercise can be a great alternative. Cool in the summer and hot in the winter – and always new products to look at!

Don’t forget about other weather-related hazards like ice on the sidewalks and parking lots. Extremely bright sunlight can also be dangerous, so be sure they have some nice big shades! Diaper rash can also be a problem for those seniors using them – sweat in the summertime (or even in over-heated rooms, which can often get very dry) can lead to more diaper rash than normal. Be sure to use cloth-backed diapers to keep the air circulating. You can find more tips to staying cool in pull-ups in the summer in our blog post here.

What are you favorite tips for keeping seniors safe in all types of weather?

A Comprehensive Look at Prevail Products

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on November 12, 2014 under BladderMatters, Resources | Be the First to Comment

Prevail is a line of diaper and related products by First Quality. We here at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com are proud to offer a large amount of Prevail products. The variety of these products is impressive and includes adult briefs and diapers, bariatric products, youth briefs, baby diapers, protective underwear, adult pull-ups, underpads, liners, pads and wipes. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular and products that offer the best coverage and exclusive features.

Our most popular Prevail product is the Extra Adult Pull-Up. It is the perfect product for those that want the look and feel of underwear with great absorbency and protection. These pull-ups also feature Skin Smart™ Fabric, Odor Guard™ and a Stay-Dry strip. This product, and other Prevail items, can be ordered as a sample to find the perfect fit.

Another great and unique Prevail product are the Boxers for Men. These boxers are similar to regular pairs, but are absorbent and disposable. Perfect for those who miss the air-flow provided by boxers, these items feature a built-in pad designed for maximum absorbency.

Prevail’s Breezers are different because of their breathable, cloth-like outer fabric. More air-flow to the area is idea for keeping skin healthy and happy. And the Easy Lock Fastening Strips create a custom fit that conforms to your body.

One of the newer Prevail items are the Per-Fits for Men and Women. Each of these is specifically designed for each gender. The men’s have a printed waistband and male-specific dimensions that make for a more comfortable and discreet fit. The women’s has, of course, female-specific dimensions and a light lavender color.

Do you have a particular favorite Prevail product? Or is there a certain feature you’re looking for? Feel free to comment below.

Why Buy American

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 4, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

When it comes to incontinence supplies, you need the most trustworthy product out there. That’s the number one priority. But what if there are other factors in purchasing these products that can make you feel good about helping out not only your country, but also the environment?

Enter Prevail, by First Quality. Not only are their products designed with comfort in mind, they’re designed with the country and the environment in mind. All their products are engineered and assembled in the US. Why is that so important? Because it means that by purchasing their products, you’re helping create and keep jobs here in the US. These are jobs that are safe and fair to the employees.

In addition, every time you buy a Prevail product instead of one that has to be shipped in from another country, you’re helping the environment. That item doesn’t need to be brought across an ocean, using up more oil than necessary. And not only that, Prevail themselves are committed to sustainability initiatives. During the process of manufacturing their products, only 1% becomes landfill waste.

And when you get your incontinence supplies shipped to you, you also save gas by not taking that extra trip to the drug store in the middle of the night. It’s convenient for you and better for the country. Many delivery services now use trucks that run on alternative-fuel, including those utilized by TotalHomeCareSuppplies.com. UPS just expanded its fleet of alternative fuel trucks, and last year, OnTrac was named one of SDCE 2013 Green Supply Chain Award Winners.

We are proud to be working with companies whose efforts are keeping both American jobs and the global environment in mind.

Being Smart About Incontinence

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

Living with incontinence can be inconvenient, and can even have the potential for embarrassment. But! With the right knowledge, supplies and attitude, everything runs more smoothly and the feeling of any embarrassment becomes a thing of the past. Those who are incontinent can take action so that life can be lived on their terms.

Finding the cause:
Of course, many times, just because the cause of incontinence is known, that doesn’t mean that there’s a cure. But knowing the reason for one’s incontinence is helpful, even if only in a mental capacity. It can also help with determining what type of protection is necessary. Once the type is known, one may be able to predict the level of protection needed. A list of the types of incontinence can be found here. Getting educated: ✓

Leaks, crinkles and unsightly lines:
Most adult diaper leaks are caused by one of three things: the size is too large, a proper leg seal hasn’t been established, or the wrong type of insert has been placed in the diaper. You can find more information about these leaks and how to prevent them here. The crinkle-factor can be minimized by purchasing the right fit, and purchasing items with the words “cloth-like outer fabric,” like it says on these Prevail Per-Fit Adult Protective Underwear. The less plastic on the outside of the diaper, the less likely the wearer is to hear anything while moving. And the cloth outer fabric diapers are just as absorbent and leak-proof as plastic backed diapers. Panty lines can be minimized by wearing more organic fabrics, and experimenting with different types of diapers. Mess and fuss: ✓

Buying adult diapers and accessories:
Many people do not enjoy the stigma that comes with purchasing adult diapers in person, whether or not they are for themselves. Ease that concern by getting all needed supplies shipped directly to your home in a discreet box. This solution is not only subtle, it’s convenient. This is a service TotalHomeCareSupplies.com offers for all customers, and all orders over $40 receive free shipping. Plus, be sure to check out our promotions page for any coupons we currently offer. Purchasing: ✓

It’s easy to be fully prepared when presented with all the facts. When you’re informed and equipped, a full life is still easily in reach.

Prevail Per-Fit for Women and Men

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 24, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Prevail is announcing something new in the world of adult diapers. They know that those individuals who wear protective underwear would ideally wear something that’s as close to possible as a regular pair of underpants. That’s why they’re now offering their Per-Fit products, for women and men.

These underwear are gender specific – the women’s come in a lovely light lavender color, while the men’s come in white with classic grey lines on the band. And both are created from a cloth-like material, meaning they look and feel closer to regular underwear.

Other great features of these underpants include Odor Guard® protection, which means each style has targeted absorbency zones that will whisk moisture from the skin before locking it away and neutralizing any ammonia odor.

Customers will also find these adult pull-ups more breathable. Between the specifically ventilated and breathable waist area and the higher cut on the legs, air is more able to freely migrate on the wearer.

Both the protective underwear for the women and the men are available in medium, large and extra large. Each product page provides a sizing chart so our customers can make informed decisions on what will be the best fit for them.

For those experiencing LOBC (loss of bladder control), many may find that their unique shape is better served with a pair of Per-Fit protective underwear.

At TotalHomeCareSupplies.com, shipping is completely free on all orders over $40. Orders come packaged in discreet, unmarked boxes for customer security.

Staying Cool in the Summer

Posted by Elizabeth Hill on June 26, 2014 under BladderMatters | Read the First Comment

It is officially the first week of summer – and things are heating up in most parts of the country. It’s hard enough to stay cool in the summer and even harder when wearing an adult diaper for incontinence. Since staying inside where it is air-conditioned is not always an option – we have a few tips and guidelines to help beat the heat.

Keep the air moving. Today’s new adult diapers are made of fabric-like material – no more plastic-backed diapers that trap the heat. Breathable briefs are typically thinner and allow for air circulation. A popular option is the Prevail Extra Adult Pull-Up that includes ventilated panels that help prevent heat build-up.
Powder up. If you don’t have any skin issues – baby powder or a corn starch-type powder can help keep you feeling cool when temperatures are rising. If using a diaper with side tape tabs – be sure to not get any powder on these since it might prevent them from sticking.
Keep it clean. Change your adult diaper more often in the summer and be sure to keep all areas clean. Moisture plus warmer temperatures can increase the chance of skin irritation. Be sure to carry extra disposable adult wipes during summer travels so that you are always prepared.
Air it out. If time and the situation allows – take a little break between diaper changes and allow the area to get some air or wear cotton underpants for an hour or two.
Dress appropriately. Cotton skirts and dresses for women and shorts for men are your best bets during the summer. Light-colored and loose fitting clothing is a great choice for beating the heat. Stay away from dark colors and synthetic (especially polyester) materials – save those for the winter months.
Drink up. Becoming dehydrated is the last thing that you want. Drinking plenty of water will keep your body hydrated and better able to regulate your temperature. Many fruits and vegetables are comprised of over 90% water – so take advantage of summer produce to help with hydration.