How to Choose the Right Incontinence Products for Effective Management

Incontinence is a common challenge, affecting over 5 million Australians and impacting their daily lives in significant ways. For individuals, carers, and community service providers, managing incontinence can sometimes feel overwhelming due to the variety of product options available. The goal is to find products that enable people to live comfortably, preserve their dignity, and maintain their independence.

This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when selecting the right incontinence aids to meet these needs effectively.

Why Choosing the Right Incontinence Product is Important 

Choosing the right incontinence products is crucial for a range of reasons. Beyond simply providing practical support, they also contribute to an individual’s overall wellbeing, confidence, and sense of dignity. For many, incontinence is a private or even sensitive issue, so finding discreet, user-friendly products is essential. These products enable people to manage incontinence without feeling self-conscious or reliant on others, which is especially valuable for those trying to maintain their independence.

Properly fitted incontinence aids should be comfortable, breathable, and gentle on the skin. These features are essential for individuals with conditions like Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD), which can develop due to prolonged exposure to moisture. Incorrectly chosen or poorly fitted products can lead to discomfort, skin irritation, and even infections, particularly among those who may already have limited mobility, such as the elderly or disabled.

When deciding on products to use for continence management, it’s important to maintain dignity and confidence of those with incontinence. Only 31% of people having issues with incontinence will actually receive help from health professionals because of the shame surrounding incontinence.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Incontinence Products

To effectively manage incontinence, it’s important to consider several factors that impact a person’s comfort and the product’s efficacy. These include the type of incontinence, the absorbency level required, proper fit, and lifestyle considerations. By addressing each factor in detail, you can select the product or combination of products that best meets the user’s needs.

Choosing the Right Type of Product

Identifying the right incontinence product is the first and one of the most important steps. Different types of incontinence products are tailored to manage various kinds of incontinence, whether it’s urinary, faecal, stress-related, or caused by functional issues. Here’s a breakdown of some options based on specific incontinence needs:

• For Faecal Incontinence: Products designed for faecal incontinence require high barrier edges and strong elastic fittings to securely contain stool and prevent leakage.
• For Light or Occasional Leakage: Individuals who experience occasional leakage during activities like exercise may benefit from using liners, which are thin, discreet, and easy to change.
• For Double Incontinence: For those managing both urinary and faecal incontinence, options like pull-up pants provide additional security and higher absorbency.

A healthcare professional can help assess the specific type and cause of incontinence, which is often useful in identifying the most effective incontinence products for individual needs.

Different Absorbency Levels 

Once the style of continence aid is clear, the next consideration is absorbency level. This is essential for products intended to manage urine leakage, as different aids are designed to hold varying amounts of fluid. The level of urine loss differs from person to person, so selecting a product with the appropriate absorbency level prevents discomfort and ensures effectiveness.

A lot of incontinence products will feature packaging with absorbency labelling systems like a drop system or specific colour coded packaging to help you find the right product. Different continence aids within the same brand will also vary on absorbency levels so be certain to check individual products. So, when are low, medium, or heavy absorbency products required?

For examples, if you’re looking at Abena continence aids you can use the below table to understand their colour packaging system:

All the above incontinence products come in varying absorbency levels within those ranges so be sure to look at a specific brand indicator when looking for incontinence aids.

Identifying the amount of leakage occurring, matching it to the correct absorbency level and then finding the best product that can comfortably manage the flow is key to perfect incontinence management.

Ensuring the Right Product Size and Fit

Alongside the style of the continence product and the absorbency required, it’s equally important to ensure a proper fit.

When it comes to sizing, remember that absorbency level has nothing to do with product size. In fact, if a product is too large it actually increases the risk of leakage as it will not fit the body correctly.

On the opposite end of this, if an incontinence product is too small or ill-fitting it will be uncomfortable for the wearer and potentially cause possible skin irritation or even Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD).

The best fit of an incontinence aid can be determined by measuring the hip circumference of the user. With a measuring tape, stretch it around the widest part of the hips and roughly 10 centimetres from below the navel.

Once you’ve found the correct measurements, use the size guides on the incontinence product packaging to find the perfect fit.

Mobility and Lifestyle Considerations 

Mobility and lifestyle factors are one of the most important things to consider when choosing the correct continence products.

Elderly, disabled or bedridden users will often need help changing themselves, so their continence products should allow for a worker or carer to assist through the use of adhesive strips on either side.

For people with a more active lifestyle, pads or liners may be a better choice as they’re discreet and easy to change without help. When deciding which of the three will work best, think about how the user will be spending most of their time and the level of incontinence they’re dealing with.

Types of Incontinence Aids

Incontinence products are available in many forms, each offering specific advantages based on the user’s needs, type of incontinence, and lifestyle. Here are some common types of aids:

Liners 

Liners are suitable for managing light urinary incontinence and come in various absorbency levels. They’re thin, discreet, and can be either disposable or reusable, like incontinence underwear, which is ideal for those who want a sustainable option.

Pull-Up Pants 

Pull-up pants, also known as briefs or slips, are designed for moderate-to-heavy urinary or double incontinence. They feature high barriers, strong elastics, and anatomical designs to ensure comfort and prevent leaks, while also minimizing odours. Some pull-up pants include side panels to simplify changing for those who require assistance.

Bed Pads and Protectors 

Bed pads and protectors offer extra protection for beds and furniture. Available in disposable and washable forms, they are beneficial for individuals who may have nighttime incontinence or limited mobility, adding an extra layer of security and making clean-up easier.

Penile Sheaths and Catheters 

For men experiencing moderate to heavy incontinence, penile sheaths provide a discreet option that collects urine without requiring pads. Catheters, which drain urine directly from the bladder, are also used in cases where health professionals determine they’re appropriate. Both options can be used overnight to provide continuous protection.

Skincare and Hygiene Products 

Those with incontinence are at risk of skin issues like IAD due to prolonged moisture exposure. Regular skincare routines that include cleansing, moisturising, and barrier protection can help prevent IAD and improve skin resilience.

Non-irritating cleansers, such as wet wipes or waterless washing lotions, are recommended over soap and water. A barrier product, like Abena’s Zinc Oxide Spray, provides added skin protection without the need for rubbing, reducing friction on already-sensitive skin.

General Tips for Carers Supporting People with Incontinence 

For carers supporting individuals with incontinence, providing respectful and sensitive care is essential. Many people with incontinence feel a sense of embarrassment, so it’s crucial to communicate openly and prioritise the individual’s comfort and dignity. Here are some tips for carers to consider:

• Encourage Communication: Asking the individual about their needs and preferences can help you understand how best to support them. Maintaining privacy during these conversations and in caregiving routines, such as closing curtains or doors, helps the individual feel at ease.
• Respect and Dignity: Treating individuals with respect and supporting their dignity can be as simple as using discreet incontinence aids and involving them in care decisions. Small gestures, such as allowing privacy when they are changing, make a big difference.
• Establish Routines: Routines are a helpful tool to implement in continence management for both carers and patients. Scheduled bathroom breaks and encouraging your patient to maintain hydration throughout their day will help to regulate your patient’s bladder and bowel function.
• Change Products Frequently: Remember, it is also essential to change incontinence products often as prolonged exposure of skin to urine can cause irritation or IAD, which can result in other long-term skin issues.

Choosing the Right Products and Routine for Effective Incontinence Management 

Incontinence management goes beyond simply selecting a product; it involves creating a care routine that enhances the user’s quality of life and allows them to remain as independent as possible.

By considering factors such as product type, absorbency level, fit, and lifestyle, and incorporating a routine that includes skincare and timely product changes, individuals and carers can successfully manage incontinence. This allows people to live confidently, with dignity, comfort, and independence.

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