Incontinence: Effective management with the right aid and consultation service

Incontinence comes with a list of misconceptions. Yet it is quite common and should not be a taboo subject that nobody talks about. It is important to note that incontinence affects many people: besides older adults, this includes pregnant women, people who are paralyzed or children. How do you manage incontinence and self-catheterization if you are affected and what are some available product options and consultation services?

Those who are newly affected by incontinence have many questions and concerns. Wellspect is a company that not only manufactures incontinence products but also provides consultation. After all, sufferers often must learn to cope with both the physical and psychological impact of urinary and fecal incontinence. "Intermittent self-catheterization (IC) to treat incontinence might be a scary prospect at first, but patients learn to quickly overcome their fear thanks to a thorough and personalized consultation," explains Brigitte Schuster, regional manager at Wellspect. She collaborates with her clients to find the product that best fits their individual needs.

For sufferers, incontinence is a normal part of daily life. Finding the right IC products is therefore paramount, which is why manufacturers offer catheters that are as unique as the patients who use them. The intermittent urinary catheters must fit the person comfortably, which conversely means catheterization is easy and safe to use and does not interfere with daily activities. "The treatment improves the quality of life of sufferers – allowing them to sleep through the night again and spend their free time without worries," says Schuster.

Adults are not the only ones who can be affected by incontinence. Children and their parents are also among Schuster’s clients. Find out how she helps families to teach children about bowel management, so their lives don’t have to revolve around trips to the bathroom in our article on Colostomy and Bowel Management.

Integrating the necessary continence products as well as possible into everyday life was also the goal of the manufacturer Hollister. Here, a new catheter including packaging was developed, or rather designed. In fact, the set almost looks like a fashion accessory, because the disposable catheter comes in an attractive pastel pink packaging. A shimmering mother-of-pearl effect gives the product a feminine touch. The matching connectors are also in discreet pastel shades. Discretion that inspires!

"Infyna Chic was developed in collaboration with experts in the field to make women as comfortable as possible when using the product. With its compact size – the packaging measures just 14.5 cm – the Infyna Chic disposable catheter can fit anywhere. The disposable catheter has been designed to fit in any handbag," says Denise Knierim, Product Manager at Hollister. The fashionable appearance is meant to destigmatise continence. But good looks alone are not enough – the Infyna Chic also convinces with its product features: The flap closure allows the catheter's packaging to be opened and closed with just one hand. A seal also indicates whether the disposable catheter is still unopened. After re-closing, the packaging is tight and allows the user to dispose of the product when and where she wants.

Hollister works closely with sufferers to best understand their needs: "We embark on a frank and intensive dialogue where we ask for opinions, views and thoughts on various topics several times per year," says Knierim. Hollister also issues its magazine titled "Lebensnah" ("True-to-Life") three times a year, which addresses real-world topics. The company is committed to making a difference in the lives of people who suffer from continence-problems and wants to inspire with ideas or vacation tips.

Incontinence is also a big issue in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. It can take up a lot of time that could be spent on something more productive: "The night shift often works with a skeleton crew. This means the nurses have to run back and forth at night and check if the residents are wet or dry," says Maicen Neu, Managing Director of Wear&Care. It is an exhausting process that can be especially stressful for caregivers. There simply must be an easier way.

Wear&Care was committed to finding a solution and developed a product that shares the same name. The idea behind it is simple yet ingenious: a self-adhesive sensor strip is attached on the outside of the incontinence product (a diaper, for example) and equipped with a so-called data logger. It measures the capacity of the diaper and sends the measurements to a smartphone or SMS-enabled mobile device. Here are some extra benefits: "The assistive aid can be used with any type of incontinence product, including larger sizes. The product set always comprises two components to facilitate 24/7 monitoring," explains Neu.

The device also increases the cost efficiency of nursing homes since the caregivers can take more targeted action and no longer have to complete unnecessary time-consuming checks. It is also a great way to help the environment: the data loggers are reusable, and there is less laundry thanks to more targeted efforts. To make sure that everything runs smoothly, Wear&Care provides training and instruction for nursing homes and care facilities, and 24-hour customer support.

Incontinence does not mean the affected person has to feel awkward and uncomfortable. Thanks to a diversified selection of products, consulting services and psychological support, assistive technology manufacturers make sure sufferers can manage their condition with the utmost grace and dignity.