What are the best incontinence pads for care homes?
Incontinence pads form a part of everyday life for many care home residents, managers and staff and the right choice can significantly increase the dignity and comfort of those who wear them.
What types of incontinence pads exist?
No two people’s bodies or medical statuses are the same, so many different types of incontinence pads are available to aid any situation. While the size you’ll need depends on the wearer, here are the types of pads you can expect to find:
Small shaped incontinence pads:
Small and discrete enough to fit inside regular underwear; these aid those living with light to moderate incontinence to maintain their daily routine with dignity.
Large shaped incontinence pads:
Slightly larger and best worn with Ontex washable net pants. These aid those living with moderate to severe incontinence to maintain their daily routine with dignity.
All in one incontinence pads:
Made for those who have heavy to severe incontinence, these feature tabs or belts to ensure a tight fit against any leakages and are worn without underwear.
Pull up style pants:
These offer comfort and protection for moderate to severe incontinence, they can aid mobile residents with continued toileting, and are often found to be the preferred product for dementia patients who feel like they are still wearing underwear and are less prone to trying to remove them.
Incontinence guards:
For men, designed to fit inside the underwear over the male anatomy to provide discrete protection from incontinence.
What to look for when choosing incontinence products
As healthcare professionals, we understand the need to select and use the best products for your patients’ quality of life.
When choosing adult incontinence products, there are many important factors to bear in mind, for example:
Wearer dignity
Users of incontinence pads usually prefer to use the smallest ones possible for the level of protection they need. The smaller size helps keep the pads more discrete, so the wearer maintains their dignity. If possible, it can be best to ask the resident which type of pads they’d prefer to wear before purchasing them.
Absorbency
One of the most important considerations when choosing an adult incontinence product is its absorbency ability. Fortunately, this is where Ontex can help with a diverse and wide range of products for different absorbency needs, all with a unique fast absorption system.
Wearer comfort
High-quality incontinence pads should be made from breathable and comfortable material that fits the contours of the wearer’s body. Look for pads with a cotton feel back sheet because the natural material keeps the wearer cool and comfortable while being discreet as the soft fabric is less likely to show through the wearer’s clothing.
Wearer quality of life
An often overlooked yet vital feature of high-quality incontinence pads is their ability to fit the wearer’s lifestyle. Residents who are more mobile will benefit from elasticated waist pads, which protects from leaks even through movement. These pads allow the wearer to maintain their independence and enjoy life to the full.
Ease of application and removal
Another critical factor to consider when choosing from our wide range of adult incontinence care products is how easy they can fit and remove. With multiple residents requiring this level of care day in, day out, ease of application and removal is paramount.
That’s why Ontex products have been designed with adhesive strips and adjustable tapes to secure the pad in place for a flexible and comfortable fit.
Skin protection
An incontinence pad that looks after the wearer’s skin is essential. Ontex products are approved by dermatologists and designed to avoid red marks or cause skin irritations and allergies.
Odour control
All Ontex incontinence pads feature an odour control system that prevents the formation of ammonia and unpleasant odours. Being able to wear pads that eliminate foul smells brings peace of mind to the wearer and enables them to go about their day with dignity.
Additional features
Look out for additional features such as:
- Anti-leak cuffs to prevent leakage.
- Wetness indicators that act as a guide to easily show when a pad needs changing.
Where to purchase high-quality incontinence pads
You can find all of the incontinence pad types mentioned in this article ready for delivery from Wippet, the healthcare marketplace.
Visit Wippet now to browse our entire range of incontinence pads.
