Choosing incontinence products

Size on the body, not the weight

Adult briefs and pull-ons are sized on hip and waist measurement. Buying by body weight is the most common mistake and produces leaks at the leg or at the waist depending on the direction of the error.

Measure the hips at the widest point and the waist at the natural waistline, and use the manufacturer's chart for that specific product — sizing is not consistent between brands.

Match absorbency to the heaviest need

• Liners and pads — light bladder leakage, worn inside ordinary underwear.
• Male guards — shaped for male anatomy, light to moderate.
• Protective underwear / pull-ons — moderate to heavy, for someone who can manage their own toileting.
• Tab-style briefs — heavy to maximum, and much easier for a caregiver to change on someone in bed.
• Booster pads — added inside another product for overnight capacity without going up a whole product class.

Protect the skin

Incontinence-associated dermatitis is common, painful and preventable. Prolonged skin contact with urine or stool breaks down the skin barrier, and broken skin over a pressure point becomes a pressure injury quickly.

• Change promptly rather than on a fixed schedule.
• Clean with a pH-balanced perineal cleanser rather than soap and hot water.
• Pat dry, do not rub.
• Apply a barrier cream or film at every change.
• Use underpads to protect surfaces, but do not layer several absorbent products — it traps moisture against skin.

Coverage

Medicare Part B generally does not cover absorbent incontinence products. Florida Medicaid does, and some Medicare Advantage and long-term-care plans do. We will check your plan and tell you plainly rather than letting you discover it from a bill.

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