Tag Archives: incontinence supplies

Product Reviews on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 10, 2016 under BladderMatters, Ostomy Care, Very Urological | Be the First to Comment

Hey – let’s check in with a few product reviews, shall we?

Review of Ca-Rezz Cream
“Mother-in-law has very very dry skin on her legs and we’ve tried all kinds of different creams. The aids at the assisted living said to her after she started using this ‘Whatever you’re doing don’t stop because it’s doing an amazing job’. That’s a #1 rating if you ask me.”

Review of Prevail Belted Shield
“Exactly what I was looking for.”

Review of Hollister New Image 2-pc Convex Flextend Barrier Cut-to-Fit
“I have tried several brands of ostomy bags, and Hollister New Image Flextend is the only one that lasts more days. I have to change mine every 4 days. My output is liquid consistency due to my recent surgery and liquid diet. I have to use strip paste in addition to prevent leakages.
Easy to use.”

Review of First Quality Adult Briefs
“Just GREAT!”

Review of Hollister M9 Deodorizer Drops
“I used this product in the 1980 when I first had to have an Ostomy and it was great then and everything that I have tried never really did the job. then I found this site and was able to locate the Product and have been over joyed ever since, it really does work and only a few drops and no odor. Fantastic!!!!”

Review of Dale Foley Tube Catheter Leg Band
“My mother has difficulty using her hands and hand strength and this was just what she needed so she could do it herself!”

Review of Secure Personal Care Waterproof Sheeting
“This was exactly what I was looking for. My father is 93 years old and completely incontinent. We, of course, have a pad on his bed at night, but it was not big enough to protect the sheet and mattress cover. Therefore, we were having to wash all of it most every day. Thanks for providing a great product.”

Thanks so much for the great reviews, everyone! If you’d like to write some of your own to help out your fellow customers, feel free. Just follow the links on each individual product page.

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!

Check Out Our Pinterest Page!

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on January 27, 2015 under Caregiver Corner, Ostomy Care, Resources | Be the First to Comment

We have over 1,700 pins, spread out on thirty boards – and it grows every week! Our boards are varied and include “Helpful Senior Videos,” “Laughter: The Best Medicine” and “Top-Rated Ostomy Supplies and Support.” So come visit us on Pinterest and we’ll see you there!

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?

More Product Reviews

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on December 24, 2014 under BladderMatters, Ostomy Care, Very Urological | Be the First to Comment

We took a look at some of our product reviews back in August but as we get new reviews in all the time, we thought the topic worth another visit.

Please keep in mind that all of our products are available to review right on their page. Not only do we love the feedback about the items we carry, reviewing can help your fellow customers know more about a product. We try to create product descriptions that are helpful to all customers, but those of you who are using them have the best knowledge about them!

Review of Prevail Adjustable Underwear:
“My husband needed after Prostate cancer surgery and found this brand best fit and most comfortable for larger size man.”

Review of Hollister Adapt Paste:
“My son was born with gastroschesis, which is a birth defect were the intestines grow out of the body in utero. He had his first surgery an hour after birth and now has a colostomy. He makes in a bag until his reversal surgery. The bag was constantly leaking and pulling away from his skin. I was changing it at least 5 times a day. My surgeon told me about Adapt which keeps the round and bag secure for at least 24 hours. This product changed everything.”

Review of Dale Foley Tube Catheter Leg Band:
“…This is probably the best product of its kind on the market. I have used it for years and prefer it over anything else. They are washable and can be bleached to disinfect. One will last me at least two months.”

We love these positive reviews, but we are aware that not all products work perfectly for everyone. A recent comment on one of our skin barriers for ostomates told us that while they found the product easy to fit and durable, and called it a good product, that they found it difficult to remove. In that case, we would recommend another skin barrier for that person, as different adhesives can affect various skin types in unexpected ways.

If you have an opinion on one of our products, we ask that you head over to TotalHomeCareSupplies.com and tell us!

Different Types of Care-es

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 16, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

In a recent blog post, we highlighted the different types of caregivers out there. This time, we thought we’d talk about the people who need the care those caregivers provide.

Those with Intellectual Disabilities
Individuals out there with ID may be unable to properly care for either their basic needs or non-essential needs. They may need a live-in caregiver, a day caregiver or just specific help during certain tasks. Intellectual disabilities can vary from birth (such as some iterations of cerebral palsy) or happen because of an accident later in life.

Those with Physical Disabilities
Physical disabilities can make a surprising amount of activities more difficult. For instance, did you know that there are fifty pairs of muscles involved in chewing? Many physical difficulties can be overcome with the right equipment or physical therapy, but sometimes a caregiver does need to step in.

The Elderly
Many elderly individuals do just fine on their own for many years. But with old age, illness can often be close at hand and sometimes those illnesses can be more debilitating than they would be for a younger person. The elderly may need someone there who can help with basic needs (such as using the bathroom or help with incontinence products). Or someone who’s just there to make sure they’re safe (not leaving the stove on or wandering). Some caregivers of the elderly are more of a friend than a caregiver, someone to socialize with. Others may have to help with more intensive tasks, like lifting their caree out of bed.

All caregivers to these carees should be thanked for all they do. And the cares should be given the respect they deserve as individuals. Here’s a nod of thanks and respect to both.

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!

Alzheimer’s and Incontinence

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 20, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Imagine you’re sitting on the couch, at the end of the day, watching your favorite show. You’re relaxed, you’re in a good place, you’re comfortable.

Suddenly, you experience an unpleasant sensation as warm liquid pools under you, and the liquid quickly cools. How did that happen? You didn’t have to go to the bathroom a second ago, but apparently, your bladder decided otherwise.

This is what it can be like for someone with Alzheimer’s. During the disease, the messages that the bladder sends to the brain to tell it it’s time “go” can get mixed up, misdirected or lost altogether.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the only reason why people with Alzheimer’s can become incontinent. Other factors can include the medications that patients take to deal with anxiety, not remembering the location of the restroom and underlying medical problems that may not yet be addressed.

These issues may not become evident until the moderate to severe stage of Alzheimer’s, but they will have to be addressed. The caregiver can provide support by gently reminding the patient to use the restroom and by making sure the way to and from the restroom itself are easily accessible.

However, sometimes leaks happen. At that point, the caregiver may want to utilize incontinence supplies. These days, adult briefs can be an unobtrusive as the average pair of underwear. Or, if the patient refuses to wear protective underwear, an underpad can be placed on chairs and beds to manage the leak.

Alzheimer’s can be very distressing to both caregivers and patients. Taking the stress of incontinence out of the equation can help.

Different Types of Caregivers

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 11, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Read the First Comment

There are as many types of caregivers as there are types of charges. Are you a caregiver? What type are you? We’d love to hear from you – let us know in the comments! Here are three main categories:

Family:
Family caregiving brings with it numerous rewards and stresses. The satisfaction that you are “taking care of your own” is very unique. But family also knows you well. They know that the facial expression you’re making now might mean you’re mad, but trying to cover it up. With someone outside your family, they may not notice it or know what it means.

According to the CDC, the typical caregiver is a woman in her 40s, providing care for her mother. This is an incredible act of love, and reciprocation to the woman who brought you into this world. But she may also be the person who’s able to say just a little remark that can bring up decades of past issues. These are stresses many caregivers of their own parents’ experience, and knowing you’re not alone can help (and you’re not, with 34 million unpaid caregivers out there!).

Friends:
The Internet abounds with stories of people who accidentally become part-time caregivers to their friends and neighbors. Often times, the caregiving begins incrementally: picking up some groceries here, dropping off the mail there. It may stop there, or continue on. These people know that they get along with their charge, which can be a help (who doesn’t love visiting a friend?) and a hindrance (when one person is unhappy, it can be awkward to let their friend know).

Hired:
Caregiving professionals are part of an industry that is growing and will continue to grow as the baby-boomers age. These individuals have devoted their careers to helping others. The satisfaction of that does not lower the stress that can come with the job, but it may provide comfort at the end of a long day. They may be temporary or long-term. Either way they are bringing both help and joy to their charge.

TotalHomeCareSupplies.com honors all the caregivers out there, and hope that they know we’re thinking of them. We’d love to hear about your caregiver experiences, past or present! See you in the comments!