The holidays are meant to feel magical, full of cozy gatherings, good food, sparkling lights, and time with the people who matter most. But if you live with incontinence, this season can sometimes bring a mix of excitement and worry. Longer days out, richer meals, cold weather, and busy schedules can make symptoms feel a little less predictable.
Caregiving for someone with incontinence can be challenging, demanding and frustrating at times – but it can also be an expression of love and an opportunity to strengthen a bond with someone you care deeply about. Today’s guest is Michelle Mongillo from First Quality, who recently authored Caring with Dignity: A Caregiver’s Guide to Incontinence.
It’s a fantastic resource to help those looking after a patient with bladder or bowel issues, but it’s also a remarkable introduction for those dealing with these conditions themselves.
We all know that absorbent products aren’t cheap. The average person with incontinence spends well over $100 per month on products to combat bladder leaks.
Q: My elderly parent(s) experience incontinence, and for the first time, I am being asked to help with their clothing and absorbent product changes. I feel like I’m in over my head. Do you have any tips or suggestions?
A: When it comes to helping your aging loved ones with managing incontinence changes and cleanups, the conversations around these intimate activities can be awkward for both sides. It can even change the dynamics of your relationship. Here are a few tips to make it easier on you and on them.
One of the things that doesn’t get enough attention when it comes to living with incontinence is caregiving. Those who assist their loved ones managing their symptoms – the emotional ones as well as the physical ones – often don’t get the support they need, and that can take a tremendous toll on their own wellbeing. Today’s guest is Lori Mika, a certified dementia practitioner and a passionate caregiver herself as well as an account executive for Tranquility Incontinence Products, who shares with us about the things you can do to flourish in the caregiving role.
When most people think about the symptoms of incontinence, they think about physical things like urgency and leaks. But what’s every bit as real – and every bit as troubling – are the mental health symptoms that so many patients live with. Incontinence is significantly associated with depression, anxiety and other mental issues, and addressing them can be a particular challenge.
Today’s guest is Tina Harris from Tenderheart Health Outcomes, here to share with us important information that the team at Tenderheart has learned about mental health from their research and patient surveys. She discusses what patients and caregivers commonly experience and offers strategies to help lighten the mental burden.
If you experience moderate to severe incontinence and use disposable absorbent products, it’s likely that you place a high emphasis on being discreet about your condition, especially in public places. Visible bulk, rustling sounds and odors from your product can cause you great embarrassment and draw unwanted attention, making you feel self-conscious.
To help you maintain your dignity and self-confidence, we’ve gathered our top tips to help you to fully participate in your daily activities, work and social gatherings, without worrying about others noticing you’re wearing an absorbent product. Maintaining privacy around your incontinence helps preserve your sense of normalcy and prevents potential stigma or uncomfortable questions from others.
Living with incontinence means that emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime. Sometimes it’s at the airport right before takeoff, or even in the elevator while out shopping. When you have an emergency, you can feel helpless and stressed, especially when you weren’t ready for it. In moments like these, living with incontinence can feel overwhelming. It can make you feel like your body isn’t under your control. It’s natural to feel like this. To feel like your day is out of your hands. To wish that life were easier.
But there are ways to take back little pieces of your day. One strategy is to have a go-bag ready. A go-bag is a small kit with essentials like wipes, spare clothes, or emergency supplies. Having one will help you feel more prepared when leaks show up unexpectedly. You will face the day with a little more peace of mind, which really makes a difference.
Most of us never give a second thought to all the research, technology and testing that go into the products we use every day – even ordinary-seeming ones like protective garments for incontinence.
But behind every successful product there’s an enormous amount of ingenuity and persistence, and nobody knows that better than Gary Bauer. He’s a patient himself living with overactive bladder, but he’s also a product tester for Carer.
Gary provides them important feedback and insight on a number of their reusable garments, particularly their waterproof underpants. Listen today to learn more about what he’s learned, what he looks for and what he expects the future may hold when it comes to personal protection.
For more information about Carer and the full line of products they have available, visit them online today at CARERSPK.com.
Despite being incredibly common, Overactive Bladder is something that isn’t talked about nearly enough, and that’s especially true when it comes to men. Today’s guest is Dr. Bradley Gill, chief of surgery at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest and Mentor Hospitals and a board-certified urologist, and he’s here to help us understand about the unique ways it impacts men’s lives and what can be done about it.
Do you have pain or burning when you pee? If so, you might have a urinary tract infection. They’re remarkably common. About 50% of women will develop one in their lifetime, and they get even more common as women get older and go through menopause. If you’re one of the 50% unlucky enough to come down with a UTI, this podcast is for you…
For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
When it comes to bladder leaks, most men are familiar with disposable pads or guards. They’re the go-to solution—widely available, easy to use, and instantly replaceable. But what if there were a better option?
What many don’t realize is that washable incontinence underwear has come a long way. Thanks to innovations in fabric technology and thoughtful design, today’s washable options offer dependable protection in a form that looks and feels like regular underwear—without the drawbacks of disposables.
