Important points to consider

• Forgetting to remove or change certain products can be a health hazard.

• Even mild confusion can mean you don’t always understand what certain continence products are for. You may experience this distressing symptom from time to time. Linking continence products to everyday items can help. For example, you may find it easier to remember to use an absorbent product that looks like normal underwear rather than a separate pad. You may find a commode that resembles a toilet and reminds you to go to the toilet.

• Pain is the body’s way of telling you that there is something wrong; for example, if your skin becomes sore you will feel pain. You should be able to recognise the need to put right the cause of the pain or get help.

• You may have reduced sensation and difficulty remembering to change your products. This could mean you are more likely to develop complications when using continence products.

• Incontinence is one of the most distressing symptoms that people experience. It can be associated with depression and anxiety. Sometimes, this can lead to increased isolation and loneliness. If you would like to know more about this aspect of incontinence and how to get help, click on Worldwide to go to consumer organisations where you live.

Product suggestions

The sections below give information about product choice and memory impairment. Click on the links to be taken to the relevant product sections for more detail.

Pads

• Pads must be fitted correctly and changed at appropriate times. They are then more likely to be effective at containing leakage. This will give you confidence to go about your daily life.

• If you forget or are confused about how to use your pads they are more likely to leak onto clothes or furniture. This can result in odour, embarrassment and more washing!

• Pull-up style pads are most similar to normal underwear and people usually find this style relatively easy to put on and take off.

• If you depend on a helper to remind you to change a pad you may prefer to use larger pads. These tend to need changing less often than small pads.

You can read more information about pads.

Male devices

Male devices fall into three main types:

• Sheaths which collect and contain urine as it leaves the body, channeling it into a collecting device such as a leg bag
• Body-worn urinals - manage urine in the same way as sheaths
• Penile compression devices which fit over the penis and compress the urethra to prevent urine from leaving the body.

Many men find that using these devices gives them greater freedom in the activities they can do. You can use them instead of pads or you can ‘mix and match’!

However, there are hazards if they are not used as recommended by the manufacturers. For example, penile compression devices should be released at least every 2 hours. For this reason they should not be used at night or during prolonged periods of sleep. Failure to regularly release them could lead to reduced blood supply.

★ DO NOT USE PENILE COMPRESSION DEVICES IF YOU HAVE MEMORY IMPAIRMENT ★

You can read more information about male devices.

Female devices

Female devices fall into three main types:

• External occlusive devices which fit over the opening of the urethra and block urine from leaving the body
• Internal urethral devices which are inserted into the urethra and block urine from leaving the body
• Internal vaginal devices which are fitted into the vagina (like a tampon for menstruation). These reduce urine leakage by supporting the bladder.

Products that are inserted into the body require people using them to have a good memory for safe use. Female devices must be removed regularly.

• Internal urethral devices can cause urinary tract infection or skin damage if used incorrectly. They are best used for short periods of a few hours or for specific activities. Afterwards they should be removed.

• There is a small risk of internal urethral devices traveling up the urethra into the bladder. It is important to remember to check for the removal strings every so often.

• The internal urethral devices and some of the internal vaginal devices are disposable. These items should be thrown away after one use.

• Reusable internal vaginal devices must be carefully washed and dried in between uses to reduce the risk of infection.

You can read more information about female devices.

Catheters

Indwelling catheters are connected to either a:

• Catheter valve

• Drainage bag.

• Catheter valves must be opened periodically to allow urine to drain from the bladder. If your bladder feels full you must be able to respond and open the valve.

• If you do not get the feeling of a full bladder, you must remember to open the valve at regular times; for example, every 3 hours. Damage to the kidneys can occur if the bladder is routinely allowed to become over-full.

★ DO NOT USE CATHETER VALVES IF YOU HAVE MEMORY IMPAIRMENT ★

• There is also a potential risk of kidney damage with urine drainage bags if they are allowed to become over-full. If drainage bags get too full they will leak through the tap or could even burst!

• If you have impaired memory and need an indwelling catheter you are advised to ensure you have a helper for management of your urinary drainage system.

• Intermittent catheterisation must be done regularly and at a frequency that ensures your bladder does not become over-full. This should be agreed between you and your Health Care Professional (HCP). If you are unlikely to remember to self-catheterise then ISC is probably not a good method of bladder management for you unless you have a helper to remind you.

You can read more information about catheters.

Faecal devices

Faecal devices fall into two main categories:

• Anal plugs

• Faecal collectors

• Anal plugs are inserted into the rectum where they aim to prevent faeces from leaving the body. It is important to remember to remove them periodically. They are disposable and should be thrown away after use.

• Faecal collectors which stick to the skin around the anus should be removed regularly for the skin to be cleaned to avoid skin damage.

You can read more information about faecal devices.

Toileting alternatives

Toileting alternatives include:

• Hand-held urinals

• Commodes

• Sanichairs.

• The main risk in this product group is failure to use the brakes on commodes and sanichairs which have wheels to stop them from moving. Failure to do so leads to a risk of falling.

You can read more information about toileting aids.

Tips from product users

• Use an alarm clock to remind you to use the toilet or check if your pad needs changing.

• Alternatively, use 'post it' notes to remind you.

Sharing tips is an important aspect of this website. Please click on Contact to leave your 'user tips'.