Incontinence pads

How would the home manage if the resident had no visitors? They charge enough, Money pits!

Ive just watched a Panorama program about care homes. I would rather kill myself than go into one of those dreadful places.

I am 86 and have been incontinent since 1983. My experience is to research on the computer. Read the comment from others, they are helpful. I’ve found that using several types at one time works best. Like pull disposable incontinence panties, a heavy flow incontinent pad stuck to inside panty. Sometimes I will two pads, one facing front the other facing back..single layer two pads. I live independently in over 55 age apartments. I am incontinent both urine and bowel. Most people have no idea so it can be done. Wearing dresses are necessary, I gave up trousers a long time ago. One accident in trousers is more than disgusting and impossible to hide. I stay close to home but know where every available restroom in the city. Also adjustment to lifestyle. Like movie and then dinner and then to home asap. Hope this helps. It is expensive, but necessary. Carry necessary extra panties pads, wipes and plastic bag to put your waste in when going out.

Contact Age UK and see if they have any suggestions!

We used these for dad , they were very absorbant. The incontinence nurse suggested them & we had a couple of free packs to try.

My father who passed away in November needed incontinent pads and I was told by his carehome that they don’t not supply them. My mother is in a different home to what my father was and they supplied the pads but the pull up pants suit my mother better but we have to buy them.

That is actually appalling. When my Mum was living with us we had free pads. (We lost her a year and ago) We used 'Care Co' before she was assessed which worked out cheaper than Tena for sure. We certainly did not have a long wait for assessment. That's a lot of washing for the Staff. Crazy!

RakshaMK

I suffer with incontinence and find the slips are more absorbent than the stand alone pads. I put one on in the morning and change it before I go to bed.

Just looked at ‘slips’ on the internet but it doesn’t tell you. Are they attached to a normal pair of pants with sticky pads?
At the moment DH wears the type of pad that slots into special pants but we’re finding it difficult to get the right ones. He said that the last pair I bought the place where the pad is inserted wasn’t big enough for the pad.

My DM had the largest Tena pads prescribed and delivered free. After she died I tried to return the unopened packs but the company didn't take returns. I had trouble getting rid of them and eventually gave them to a place that took her Zimmer frame and other aids. They said they would use them for mopping up spills. Such a terrible waste! I occasionally see incontinence pads offered on freegle.

JdotJ
Can I just say your comment doesn't seem to have come from a very nice place.I'm not sure if I wish the same to you or that you're never in that position.

The pads vary a lot so make sure they are 8 drops, the most absorbent you can get. I used to line my husband pads with a further thick pad, but they say now that is not good for the skin. We never did have any problems though as long as the care home is hot on washing and creaming and supporting a good skin care routine. You can also get some lovely soft mattress covers that don't feel nor sound like plastic, they are washable and I would have thought the care home would have these on the beds already. It varies in areas but most councils only allow 4 pads per day or 3 pull-ups. I hope your chosen care-home turn out to deal with things better than you have found initially. It is hard work being on top of them, but good to try to work with them for best results all around. Good luck.

May I suggest something which worked for me until I went to a hospital which had a proper incontinance clinic, where I received tablets which near enough cut out the problem. ( yes, incontinance is sometimes overcome )
Besides using Aldi’s Sana Extra pads, I purchased puppy training pads from an animal supermarket. The pads went into knickers, and the puppy training pads went under the knickers. Result was a dry bed and only knickers to be washed. May I also tell any ladies who do not have incontinance problems, that they should practice clutching muscles together in that area. I’d done this since having 4 x children and when my problems with incontinence started, could tell doctors that as I didn’t leak when laughing, that I knew it was due to something else. And it was. Problem has near enough disappeared due to the tablets prescribed by hospital dept that specialised in incontinence nuisances.
Also that the most comfortable of incontinence pads are found in Aldi. A case of the most expensive brands not actually being the best.

Katyj

Hi. Thanks ladies. Unfortunately they’re not being very helpful. They’ve said to look on Amazon and get the most absorbent. Mum used to get free pads from the local authority, but she’s not under the same GP practice now.
Everything is so difficult these days 😵‍💫

I would have thought it she was getting them, the fact she has changed address and GP's shouldn't make any difference, do you have a telephone number for the service, otherwise try phoning her surgery and asking if they have the number, phone the service and. Say your mum has gone into a care home now does she go about get them there. Unfortunately this time of year isn't always the best to get a reply.

I suffer with incontinence and find the slips are more absorbent than the stand alone pads. I put one on in the morning and change it before I go to bed.

These are really good and not expensive.

welbeck

www.incontinencechoice.co.uk/incontinence-pads/large-shaped-pads.html

www.incontinencechoice.co.uk/adult-nappies/disposable-adult-nappies.html

this is a good supplier, reliable and quick.
their skin cleansing foam is also useful.

but i agree with others, the carehome should be dealing with this. what if a resident has no family ?
do they just suffer incontinence without products.
sounds like they are giving you the run around.

I buy incontinence pads for my husband from this site too and find delivery is very quick. He has to wear pads during the day and at night - he has spoken to his GP about this problem and also seen a doctor at the hospital but at no point has anyone offered pads to be supplied on the NHS. Perhaps it varies from one local authority to another ?
His mother was in a care home and we had to supply pads there too but that was a long time ago now and things might have been different then.

Have you tried Attend pads? They are available on Amazon and come in various sizes/thickness. My mum uses size 6. Faecal incontinence pads also available.
My mum was assessed by an incontinence nurse before she was prescribed any pads. She can have three a day. I have to buy extras.

And what of the mother’s comfort and dignity in the meantime?

Don't supply anything - the care home will soon get fed up of the extra work that entails

You may find this information helpful.

www.completecareshop.co.uk/stories/can-you-get-incontinence-pads-on-prescription

My husband needed incontinence products due to bladder cancer and encephalitis. The incontinence team could provide pads but I bought tena pants- the range included ones for nighttime wear. He was comfortable in them. They work out about 80p per item. I bought them online from age uk.

wellbeck - I discovered it by trial and error.
I also use bed pads and old fashioned draw sheets .

www.incontinencechoice.co.uk/incontinence-pads/large-shaped-pads.html

www.incontinencechoice.co.uk/adult-nappies/disposable-adult-nappies.html

this is a good supplier, reliable and quick.
their skin cleansing foam is also useful.

but i agree with others, the carehome should be dealing with this. what if a resident has no family ?
do they just suffer incontinence without products.
sounds like they are giving you the run around.

Esmay

I've tried every type on pad on my incontinent father
and ended up with soiled beds .
And finally here is my solution :
I buy slips from Boots and insert the free NHS pad inside .

this is what i know several domiciliary careworkers do.
not that brand, but the general principal, a belted or side fastening slip to hold a pad that is cheaper and gets changed more often.
also the use of either washable or disposable bed mats helps preserve the bedding, and the skin.

Wow you ladies are so helpful, such a lot of good ideas. Sometimes it’s difficult to think, I’ve been in such a muddle with meetings, paperwork and phone calls. I think I’ve lost the plot !

I've tried every type on pad on my incontinent father
and ended up with soiled beds .
And finally here is my solution :
I buy slips from Boots and insert the free NHS pad inside .