Choosing the right incontinence pants and products is a crucial part of living with comfort and confidence. Here are several factors to take into consideration:
- When will you be using the product? If you’re looking for products for use at home or when it’s possible to make frequent changes, you may want to consider smaller, lighter pants, pads, and garments. For extended wear periods, such as overnight, traveling, or any time that frequent changes will be difficult, you will need more protection.
- Reuseable or disposable? Many people find that both washable and disposable products play an important role in incontinence management. Disposables offer unparalleled convenience for the times when you’re not at home, and the wide variety of absorbency levels available makes them a great alternative for most situations. Reuseables can be an excellent long-term value, and using them at home or overnight can amount to a significant savings.
- Fit is important. When using pants or briefs with an absorbent pad, a good fit is a must. The “holder” garment should fit snugly to hold the pad securely in place to avoid leaks. Always read the sizing chart for the product you’re considering, and if you’re not sure what size you need, measure. Men should generally measure at the widest point of the waist, and women should measure the widest point of both waist and hips.
- Mobility and ease of use make a big difference. People with limited mobility may find pull-up products difficult to put on and hard to manage when it comes to changing absorbent liners or pads. If your mobility is limited, or if you’re buying products for someone with limited mobility, look for products made for easy use and accessibility. Many briefs are constructed with either a “drop front” flap in front, which makes changing pads easier, and others are made with an open side seam which is closed with snaps or velcro.
- Skin sensitivity can be a factor. If you or the person you’re caring for has sensitive skin, it’s important to maintain dryness as much as possible. Look for products that make frequent changes as easy as possible, as well as products that are designed to wick wetness away from the body.
