Continence Products

With proper assessment by a health professional with continence expertise, incontinence may be cured, improved, or managed effectively through the use of continence products.

For advice, see your:

  • GP or medical specialist
  • continence nurse advisor
  • continence physiotherapist.

Some people may only need continence products for a short time while they receive advice and treament. Others may use the products as a longterm solution to help with incontinence management.

Range of continence products

Many continence products are available and new and improved products are continually being developed.

When selecting a continence product, consider:

  • your mobility and lifestyle
  • the severity and frequency of the incontinence
  • the disposal or washing requirements of the continence products
  • the cost and availability of the products.

Professionals can help you find the right continence products for you. You might find it helpful to trial products first to find which best suits your needs.

The range of continence products available includes:

Disposable pads

These are available in many sizes, shapes and capacities.

Many have an absorbent layer containing a substance that converts to a gel when fluid is absorbed. This helps to reduce the chance of leakage and is designed to keep the pad dry against the skin Some of the larger pads have a wetness indicator that changes colour when the pad is reaching its maximum capacity.

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Disposable pads are designed to be worn with firm fitting underwear or stretch pants.

Disposable pants and allinones

Pull up disposable pants have an elastic panel around the hip and waist. These pants also feature tear away sides for ease of removal.

Allinones are adult-size nappy-style disposable pants with a built-in pad. Allinones have resealable tabs on each side for fastening.

Reusable pads

Reusable pads come in many different shapes, sizes and absorbencies.Some are made as inserts to a specific pant, while some are worn as an absorbent pad inside firm fitting underwear.

Reusable pants

Reusable pants with built-in absorbency are available in a range of styles and capacities. Some pants are a pull-up style and some have a side or front opening.There are reusable pant ranges and styles designed for men, women and children.

Some reusable pants are ‘holding pants’, which are not absorbent and are used only to hold a pad in place. An example is the range of stretch pants that are made of a fine mesh. These pants fit very snugly to the body and are designed to hold a pad firmly in position.

Swimming pants are also available. These feature drawstrings around the legs and waist to help contain incontinence.

Uridomes and sheaths for men

These may also be called ‘condom drainage catheters’ or ‘external male catheters’.

The sheaths are made of a flexible material. The sheath fits over the penis and is connected to tubing connected to a urinary drainage bag. There are many sizes and styles available. Ask a health professional such as a continence advisor about selecting and managing a sheath.

Urinary drainage bags

Urinary drainage bags are available in varying capacities.

Leg bags are worn strapped to the thigh or the calf of the leg. Leg bags are usually worn during the day and are available in 350ml, 500ml, 750ml and 800 ml capacity.

Overnight urinary drainage bags generally hold two litres and may be hung on the side of the bed or supported on a stand.

Urinary catheters

A catheter is a hollow tube that drains urine from the bladder. A catheter is prescribed and managed by a doctor or other qualified health professional.

A catheter may be inserted to empty the bladder and then removed (an intermittent catheter) or left in for a longer time (an indwelling catheter).

Bed and chair pads

These products are designed to absorb fluid only and are generally not suitable for faecal incontinence. There are many sizes and ranges available in both reusable and disposable forms.

Waterproof mattress protectors

There are many different styles and sizes of mattress protectors available, including:

  • waterproof draw sheets
  • fitted sheet styles
  • envelope styles
  • fully enclosed zipped mattress protectors.

Equipment for easier toileting

Sometimes people may have difficulty getting to the toilet.

Toileting equipment that may help includes:

  • toilet seat raisers or surrounds
  • grab rails
  • commodes
  • urinals for men and women
  • bedpans.

Dressing adaptations for easier toileting

Adapted clothing is designed to help people with limited mobility. It generally features easy-to-use fastenings and elasticized waist bands.

Examples include:

  • nightwear, skirts and dresses with openings at the back
  • trousers with side or front fastenings
  • washable slippers and shoes that close without shoelaces.

Adapted clothing is readily available.

Odour control

There are specific odour control products designed to neutralise odours from incontinence problems. We can give you advice on the range available.

Skin care

Care of the skin is very important for a person with incontinence; the skin should be gently cleaned and dried regularly. There is a range of skin care products specifically designed for people with incontinence.We can give you advice on the range available.

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Contact us

The Continence Resource Centre at the Independent Living Centre has an extensive continence product display and information on where these items may be purchased.

Phone: (08) 8266 5260

Email:

Website:

For further information or to make an appointment to visit the display please contact the Independent Living Centre. The Independent Living Centre offers free advice on equipment and techniques to help you with everyday tasks.

Independent Living Centre
11 Blacks Road
Gilles Plains SA 5086

Phone: 1300 885 886 (SA & NT callers only) or 8266 5260

Email:

Website:

Accessible off street parking is available.

Bus services run nearby. Call 8210 1000 for timetable information.

Copies of this publication are available from the Disability Information Service
Tel: 1300 786 117 Email: Website: Dec 2015
/ Licensed under Creative Commons
Attribute to: The Dept for Communities and Social Inclusion, Government of South Australia