Q: I feel like I have tried everything to help my loved one who has incontinence, yet every day they wake up wet and experience leaks throughout the day. I’m most concerned about them getting a rash or infection, but I’m also anxious about the staining on my furniture and the pungent odor in my house. Do you have any tips or suggestions?
Ask the Expert Lori Mika, Account Executive for Tranquility® Incontinence Products
A: Helping a loved one manage heavy to severe incontinence can be physically and emotionally demanding, and it’s natural to worry about whether you’re doing enough to support and protect them. While incontinence is often unpredictable, there are many practical steps you can take to maintain your loved one’s comfort, dignity and well-being while also protecting your home from unexpected accidents.
Remember, caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your loved one.
Here are a few tips for using high-quality incontinence care products that can make daily life a little easier and more manageable for everyone.
Underpads: For those “just-in-case” moments
Underpads, also known as bed pads or “chucks,” provide an additional layer of protection to help safeguard your home from heavy leakage and odors. Available in disposable and reusable options, underpads come in a variety of sizes and absorbency levels to meet different needs.
Underpads are most often placed on a bed at night to catch leaks from a primary incontinence brief or pull-on. When designed properly, an underpad quickly wicks away moisture and locks it into the core, helping the user stay comfortable and sleep through the night.
In addition to bedding, underpads can help protect other surfaces such as furniture, wheelchairs and the floor beneath a commode. Tranquility® recently introduced an extended-size 36” x 57” underpad that covers nearly an entire twin bed!
Pair underpads with high-quality products for extra protection
If the person in your care experiences heavy or severe incontinence, such as large or sudden voids, bowel incontinence or significant nighttime bladder leakage, consider pairing an underpad with high-quality briefs or pull-ons that offer maximum absorbent capacity. Even small amounts of moisture left on the skin can lead to painful irritation, rashes and sores.
You may also want to consider using booster pads. These flow-through pads add extra absorbent capacity to any brand of disposable absorbent garments, helping your loved one stay dry longer and reducing the need for frequent changes.
Tranquility offers a wide variety of superabsorbent underpads, briefs, pull-ons, booster pads and other products designed to quickly wick moisture away from the skin and lock fluid into the core to help prevent leaks. They also help neutralize the pH of urine to control odor, support skin health, and inhibit the growth of bacteria that can contribute to infection.
Need help?
If you have questions about which underpads are right for your home, contact Tranquility. Our friendly and knowledgeable Customer Care Representatives are available to answer product questions at 1-866-865-6101, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
Request a free sample so you can experience the Tranquility difference for yourself.
About Lori Mika
Lori is a sandwich caregiver taking care of both her parents and children. As a certified dementia practitioner, she is passionate about helping others manage the mental strain of seeing their loved ones struggle with incontinence and other medical conditions. As an experienced representative for Tranquility, she works every day to provide caregivers with high-quality products to reduce their stress and uplift their lives.
This article was developed in partnership with, and sponsored by Tranquility. NAFC collaborates with select partners to bring our community information and resources that support bladder and bowel health.
