Are you a senior citizen who is dependent on incontinence products for saving yourself from public embarrassment? Or, are you responsible for taking care of your elderly parents who have been worried about their frequent visits to the bathroom? Either way, you are probably aware of the changes that have taken place in the world of incontinence management. From being completely house-ridden to going about all day-to-day life activities with flair, life has indeed taken a U-turn for those who have chosen to combat the issues of poor bladder control with the right products for incontinence.
Here are some interesting facts that will make you understand the worth of adult diapers, briefs, pads, catheters, and other allied products in a better way.
The Early Start
As late as 1978, incontinence products served to be a taboo and were not available on a commercial basis. Oft-featured as a negative subject, such products always managed to draw silence and were not meant to be discussed publicly. But then, come 1984, and June Allyson, the No. 1 box-office star (female) in the reckoning in the 1950s, agreed to become the spokesperson for ways of handling bladder control problems.
Her positive messages and instant recognition; ably supported by a whopping $100 million plus in magazine and television advertising; helped her become synonymous with the cause of incontinence. She spent a lot of time in traveling across the United States attending speaking engagements or producing television spots. She would be stopped by people who had benefitted through her shows, and would be thanked for getting them "back to life."
Thus began the popularity of incontinence products.
Three Decades of Transformations
It has been over three decades when the first incontinence products were tested and marketed. And, there is a lot that progressed and changed in this period. The products that first made their appearance on the racks of specialty stores dedicated to seniors and their lifestyle conditions were somewhat similar to briefs, or adult diapers. But then, they were in the form of undergarments that had button straps and were quite away from being "briefs."
With the passage of time, there were different kinds of incontinence products that were introduced for adding greater levels of comfort to elderly men and women alike. The outer shell of these diaper-like-undergarments was changed from hard plastic to a softer and more breathable cloth-like material that also cut down on the rustling noise and allowed the skin to breathe freely. The visible differences that came to the fore in these decades were:
- The product packaging transformed from bulky cartons to much slimmer poly bags.
- The products started boasting of improved absorbency and a better fit after much of the "fluff' was replaced by super-absorbent materials.
- The introduction of Guards for Men, which were specially designed for men experiencing incontinence post prostate surgery, was a revolution in itself.
More Innovations in the Offing
Moreover, when it was discovered that feminine care pads were still being utilized for incontinence, Poise by Kimberly-Clark made its debut for offering further help in this sphere. Unlike the pads used for feminine care, these incontinence pads offered three times better protection and were super-absorbent. The pull-on underwear was obviously the last major innovation introduced by Kimberly-Clark in the United States and helped millions of patients, and those suffering from incontinence; manage their condition in better ways.
Dealing with Dignity and Comparison Issues
With recent shifts for dealing with dignity issues being an order of the day, pull on underwear that have been specifically designed for women and men are being marketed in different colors and prints. These products are preferred by customers as they provide added comfort and normalcy. In other words, they are more like regular underwear.
These days, leading manufacturers of incontinence products have made it quite challenging for consumers like you to determine the best products for themselves. This is because there exists no naming standards for the available styles, and their descriptions are prone to changing frequently. Also, as the nomenclature used for describing products and their absorbency levels is tricky, it does become a tad difficult to compare brands.
Product Usage
These factors help the cause of selecting the right products for incontinence.
- On an average, users require 2-3 products daily for 5 to 8 hours of individual usage.
- As compared to pads or pull on underwear, briefs (adult diapers) form the more commonly used styles.
- Briefs (adult diapers) tend to leak slightly more than underwear. While 10% to 15% of most products leak, the male guards are known to leak the least.
- Refastenable underwear and briefs are changed by caregivers more frequently.
- Only half of most product changes incorporate a skin caring product such as a wipe, cream, and so forth.
The Present
People wearing incontinence products generally have arthritis, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, prostate cancer or heart conditions. Available in different forms, designs, shapes, and sizes, they can be purchased as pull-on underwear, pads, adjustable underwear, shields, and so forth. The best way of going about the act of buying these products is by trying them on before investing in bulk quantities. With the right levels of absorbency, fit, and comfort metrics in place, they are helpful in preventing leakages and embarrassments to the hilt.
Go for them!
Steve Goelman, CEO of Unique Wellness , an adult brief manufacturer, offers comfort and confidence to millions of people by focusing solely on providing the best care for adults experiencing incontinence. The company produces the world's best adult briefs, revolutionizing the market by allowing users and caregivers the freedom of fewer daily changes and a more efficient and cost-effective solution. We are known for our award winning incontinence products such as adult diapers , adult pull-ups, absorbent underwear and adult brief. Order your free adult diaper today.
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