Choosing the right incontinence products is critical to your health and well-being. However, doing the opposite can lead to an array of issues that can impact your quality of life.
There have been several instances where individuals selected low-quality or ill-fitting products. It led to discomfort and various serious health complications. In fact, these products made manageable conditions more challenging.
Here, we will discuss a few consequences of choosing the wrong products, and at the end of the blog, you will get an idea of why investing in the right items is vital in maintaining your health.
1. Skin Damage & Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD)
When you choose low-absorbency or non-breathable materials for your loved ones, you need to be careful since these products can trap moisture against the skin. This continuous dampness leads to skin erosion and causes painful inflammation and redness. Worst, these can also lead to open sores known as Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD). Once it develops, the skin becomes more prone to infections.
2. Pressure Injuries & Ulcers
Investing in quality incontinence products will help your loved one stay healthy since they are not poor fitting. On the contrary, bulky products that shift create uneven pressure points. This causes friction for immobile individuals and leads to skin shearing. When it becomes acute, the risk of pressure ulcers (bed sores) aggravates. These sores are usually deep and painful. They heal slowly and can even cause life-threatening infections.
3. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Do you know that the usage of subpar incontinence products can lead to poor containment? This leaves the skin exposed to urine for longer periods. The warm and moist environment leads to and exacerbates bacterial growth, which raises the risk of Urinary Tract Infections or UTIs. These can worsen over time and cause kidney infections or sepsis. So, picking the right products is paramount in this condition.
4. Cross-Contamination & Infection Spread
Buying products that fail to contain the leakage of urine and feces is a hygiene nightmare. You will be inviting the spread of bacteria (like E. coli) and viruses to your loved ones and even their caregivers. So, you need to proceed with caution.
5. Increased Physical Strain on Caregivers
Since low-quality incontinence products lead to frequent leaks, caregivers need to change them after a few intervals. Besides, they need to invest their energy in bathing and skin treatments from time to time. This puts more pressure on the caregiver and leads to fatigue. The end result – both the recipient and the support staff experience a reduction in the quality of their lives.
6. Loss of Dignity & Mental Health Decline
Visible leaks, smells, or bulky products cause shame and embarrassment, which often leads to social withdrawal, anxiety and depression. These mental conditions with loss of self-worth impact quality of life. This is why choosing the right incontinence products is important.
7. Increased Healthcare Costs
Purchasing low-quality incontinence products can lead to more healthcare costs since:-
- Caregivers will need to change them frequently
- You incur more laundry and sanitation costs
- Your expenses for treating skin damage, UTIs, and pressure ulcers will increase
- The chance of hospitalisations or specialised care will increase
If you want to take proper care of your loved one with incontinence, it’s best to consider a professional Continence Assessment with a Continence Nurse Specialist. These can be funded through an NDIS Plan, or a simplified version can be provided privately for home-care clients.
In Conclusion
Incontinence products are not limited to absorption only. They play an important role in maintaining health and safety. So, choosing certified or GP-recommended products is always the right solution.
Call or Send an Email Requesting an Appointment
Discuss your loved one’s incontinence needs with CaptainK Supports and Cares. Our professionals will provide the supports required to improve your family member’s life.
To schedule an appointment, you can call us or send us an email with your details so we can connect with you.
