Some people, especially the elderly, cannot control when or where they pass urine or faeces. Often, many people in care homes can have or develop this problem.
When residents wet themselves it is called “urinary incontinence” and if they open their bowels it’s called “faecal incontinence.” This can be both embarrassing and distressing for the individual and requires the utmost compassion and care. A rapid expansion in residential and nursing home care for the elderly in theUK has meant a corresponding reduction in long-term hospital care. It’s likely that several residents are likely to have some degree of urinary incontinence or dysfunction.
Sometimes incontinence is a symptom of underlying problems which with the right assessment may be identified and treated. But even when a cure is not achievable, high standards of incontinence management can produce ‘social continence’ which can help alleviate or reduce embarrassment and preserve dignity.
How can you ensure hygiene?
Ensuring excellent personal hygiene is one of the most critical ways for care homes to control infection prevention and maintain patient welfare. But caring can be complex when faced with challenges of immobility. Most people want to be able to use the toilet with as little help as possible and maintaining independence is beneficial for both the resident and care staff. Fortunately, the care market has developed lots of high standard products available to assist care home staff in keeping residents clean, cared for and dignified.
Care homes can choose from a range of high quality incontinence products including
Many products allow residents to be cared for in ways that not only preserve their dignity but their autonomy and independence. Care home supplies ensure a safe, comfortable experience. These are the five key areas set out by the Care Quality Commission, the UK’s independent regulator of health and adult social care for whether incontinence products are safe to use.
- Safety
- Effectiveness
- Caring
- Responsiveness
- Leadership
Another method of effectively finding safe and industry-standard products is by choosing regulated products from a trusted retailer. For example, a healthcare marketplace, such as Wippet, would offer products from a range of trusted care suppliers, including Care Shop and Bayliss Mobility.
Why choose incontinence pads?
Many residents prefer wearing incontinence pads because they are practical and if they are high quality they can be absorbent and comfortable to wear. Pads featuring a T-Shape design that fits the body’s contours are often a better fit and 100% breathable pads keep the skin healthier for long-term wearers.
Pads and pull-up pants use the same technology as babies’ nappies and have a “hydrophobic” layer which draws urine away from the surface of the product, so skin stays dry, clean and comfortable.
Incontinence pants
Incontinence pants are specially designed underwear that keeps incontinence pads in the right place for the wearer to avoid leakages, so can be combined for added security and safety. The best ones feature a wide crotch area and elastic waistbands to ensure a tight fit and that the wearer remains comfortable, clean and dignified.
For further information on available products visit the care home personal hygiene shop now.
