Tag:

Published:

Last Updated:

Summary

Functional incontinence occurs when physical or mental limitations result in leakage of urine or stool. People with functional incontinence may have a urinary or bowel system that works perfectly fine, but due to other circumstances, they cannot reach a bathroom in time.

There are two primary factors that usually result in functional incontinence: physical immobility and mental impairment. People who have trouble moving, or who cannot move at all, may be unable to reach a bathroom when it is needed. Mental disorders can also cause people to struggle to use a bathroom, resulting in leakage.

Here are some of the common causes and risk factors that lead to functional incontinence:

Alzheimer’s and Dementia often can lead to challenges with functional incontinence.

As the disease progresses, people lose more of the brain’s ability to interpret signals from the body. This could include the recognition that they need to find a bathroom, resulting in leakage.

The extent to which Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients experience this is different for every person. Some may not experience functional incontinence, while others experience it regularly.

Physical disabilities and limitations can also result in functional incontinence. For these individuals, the ability to get to a bathroom may be extremely difficult or impossible to do by themselves. Patients restricted to a bed or wheelchair can experience functional incontinence, as well as others with impaired mobility.

Some individuals don’t have any physical impairments, but movement is still slow or painful. When this is the case, getting to a bathroom may be a challenge. Older or arthritic individuals are more likely to be affected by slow or painful movement.

The best product for managing functional incontinence is the adult brief (also called adult diapers). Adult briefs have the highest level of absorbency and are the only product designed to handle both urinary and fecal incontinence. Like protective underwear, adult briefs require the right sizing to work properly. The experts on our team can help anyone find the right fit and product for their specific needs.

The good news is that some insurance policies cover adult briefs as a healthcare benefit, so it could be possible to get them at little or not cost. To learn your coverage options, complete the online incontinence product finder below or contact us today.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.

Tag:

Published:

Last Updated:

Summary

Stress incontinence is the involuntarily leakage of urine when extra pressure or force is put on the bladder. It’s the most common type of incontinence and occurs more in women than in men.

Generally speaking, stress incontinence occurs when the sphincter or pelvic floor muscles weaken, making it harder for them to contain urine. When force is put on these weakened muscles, it causes them to momentarily relax, resulting in a tiny leak of urine. There are many everyday activities that can cause this kind of force, like sneezing, laughing, or coughing.

There are many causes and risk factors that can lead to stress incontinence. Here are a few of the ones most commonly experienced:

Pregnancy and childbirth can increase the chance of stress incontinence. During pregnancy and childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles and bladder often experience great strain, which can lead to a weakening of these muscle groups. If the weakened muscles do not recover, it could become more difficult for them to hold in urine.

Any damage to the pelvic floor muscles or to the sphincter can lead to stress incontinence. Damage to these muscles could make them weaker, resulting in more difficulty containing urine. Even though the muscles may heal from their injury, there’s no guarantee that they will fully regain the strength needed to resist extra force against the bladder.

The pelvic floor and sphincter muscles don’t need to be damaged for stress incontinence to occur. For some people, these muscles are naturally weaker. If this is the case, then stress incontinence could occur without the body experiencing any kind of injury.

Stress incontinence causes light leakage, and the most common incontinence product used to manage light leakage is the bladder control pad. Bladder control pads are designed for lighter output, so they’re perfect for absorbing leakage from stress incontinence. They come in a range of designs and sizes and are made to accommodate both male and females.

It may be possible to get bladder control pads as a covered benefit through your insurance plan. Complete the incontinence product finder below to learn more about what coverage options are available to you.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.

Tag:

Published:

Last Updated:

Summary

Adult diaper rash is a skin condition that can turn incontinence management into a very painful and uncomfortable experience. It’s one of the most common challenges for people with incontinence

Luckily, adult diaper rash is easy to treat and prevent. Understanding why it happens and following some basic prevention techniques can help reduce the risk and provide a healthier, happier experience.

Adult diaper rash is a skin condition in which the surface of the skin becomes irritated or inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. It consists of a red or pink spot on the skin that is painful when touched or rubbed. Generally speaking, adult diaper rash is fairly minor and will heal within 24 hours if treated properly.

NOTE: While adult diaper rash is most common among people using incontinence products, it’s very possible for other people to experience it as well.

Here are some of the common symptoms affiliated with adult diaper rash:

• Pink or red area on the skin
• Inflamed or slightly raised skin
• Area on the skin that’s painful when touched or rubbed.
• Mild skin breakdown or deterioration.

Adult diaper rash can be caused by numerous things. Here are a few of the most common reasons:

One of the most common causes of adult diaper rash is excessive rubbing or friction against the skin. If the adult diaper (or other fabric) rubs against the skin when worn, then this can cause the skin to inflame and become irritated. This irritation will form into adult diaper rash.

Another common cause of adult diaper rash is wetness on the skin. When the skin is exposed to too much moisture, it becomes over-hydrated. Too much hydration weakens skin cells and makes them far more sensitive to friction and skin breakdown. Moisture that consists of substances other than water (such as sweat or urine), can also increase the sensitivity of the skin.

Adult diaper rash can also be caused by an allergic reaction to a material in the diaper. A good sign of an allergy is if the rash encompasses a larger area, and is not isolated to a small spot. Allergic reactions can also develop much faster than rashes caused by friction.

Bacterial and fungal infections are another common cause of diaper rash. Bacteria and fungus spores love to grow in warm, moist environments, which makes adult diapers a risk area. Specifically, the bacteria that causes yeast infections (known as candida), is a frequent culprit of causing diaper rash among adults.

Treating adult diaper rash is pretty simple and can be done at home. Most cases will clear up within 24 hours.

There are some medical creams designed specifically to aid in the treatment of adult diaper rash. Specifically, Zinc Oxide barrier creams and skin protectants can help reduce irritation and assist in keeping the rash area dry. Use as directed by the product instructions.

Keeping the diaper rash area dry is a great way to encourage the healing of diaper rash. Gently pat the rash area with a soft, absorbent tissue or towel, and try to keep the affected area exposed to air as much as possible. This will keep moisture from weakening the cells and allow them to heal more quickly.

One of the easiest ways to treat adult diaper rash is to avoid contact with the affected area. Contact with clothing or the diaper material could cause further irritation, so try to keep the area free from contact with these kinds of materials. This will prevent further irritation and give the rash time to heal.

Here are some things you can to do help prevent adult diaper rash from developing:

One of the leading reasons that adult diaper rash is not using the right incontinence product. The wrong incontinence product, especially the wrong product size, can lead to increased friction and more wetness, both of which are leading causes of adult diaper rash. Making sure you are in the right product will drastically reduce your risk.

For a quick and easy way to see if you’re in the right product, try our incontinence product finder. You can also use it to find out if your insurance can help cover the cost of your products.

NOTE: Using the wrong incontinence product for your needs can increase risk for other skin conditions. Read about other incontience-related skin conditions and how to prevent them.

Regular airflow to the skin can help prevent adult diaper rash from forming, so try to give your skin some time to “air out.” When possible, remove your product and let the skin breathe. You can also use this as an opportunity to wipe away any moisture that may have accumulated.

Mauris vel arcu eleifend, varius massa at, feugiat massa. Nulla at sem sit amet neque consectetur consectetur in nec leo. Nam imperdiet mattis neque vel scelerisque. Phasellus nibh sapien, tristique in porttitor at, pharetra in ex. Morbi ac convallis urna, a fringilla nibh. Duis egestas sem nulla, quis varius urna aliquam id. Cras tincidunt rutrum diam et lacinia.

Be sure to thoroughly wash any skin covered by the incontinence product. Washing will help remove urine and stool that can lead to adult diaper rash. Use of a mild, pH balanced skin cleanser or plain water is usually recommended. Be sure to pat the area dry before securing a new product.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.

Tag:

Published:

Last Updated:

Summary

Urge incontinence, sometimes referred to as “overactive bladder,” is a condition in which a person experiences a quick, sudden need to urinate followed by leakage. Both men and women can experience it, and for those who do, it’s usually a symptom of another medical issue.

Urge Incontinence occurs when the nervous system sends too many signals to the bladder, causing it to contract at inappropriate times. These uncontrolled contractions lead to moderate leakage. The severity depends on the frequency and strength of the signals sent to the bladder.

Here are some of the most common causes and risk factors for urge incontinence:

Damage to the nervous system can cause or increase how often urge incontinence occurs. If the nerves experience trauma, they may not function normally, resulting in abnormal signals that cause the bladder to contract and release urine.

People with Alzheimer’s may experience urge incontinence as one of their symptoms. Alzheimer’s interferes with the body’s nervous system, which can sometimes lead to more overactivity in the bladder.

A possible symptom of Parkinson’s Disease is urge incontinence. As the body loses more nerve cells, normal control over the urinary system can be lost, resulting in uncontrolled contractions of the bladder. Not everyone with Parkinson’s will develop urge incontinence, and the severity will vary from person to person.

It’s very possible to have an overactive bladder without also having a neurological disease such as Parkinson’s. Sometimes the nerves simply don’t function as intended. For these people, an overactive bladder is part of how their body works.

Diabetes can increase the risk of experiencing urge incontinence. Without the proper supply of glucose to nerve cells (which diabetes can interfere with), the cells may become damaged or function abnormally.

The most common result of urge incontinence is moderate leakage, and the product made to handle that kind of output is protective underwear, or “pull-ons.” Protective underwear uses special polymers to absorb larger quantities of liquid and protect against dampness. For the best protection, it’s very important to make sure that the product is fitted properly. Product experts like us can help determine the correct size for you.

Some insurance plans cover pull-ons, which means it could be possible to get them at little to no cost for you. To find out if your insurance can cover your supplies, complete the incontinence product finder below or contact us today.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.

Tag:

Published:

Last Updated:

Summary

There are many medical services available to help veterans, but unfortunately, they often do not cover incontinence supplies.

Incontinence supplies are often not covered as a medical need, even though they are crucial to the health and happiness of many veterans. Getting these supplies can be a challenge, especially considering the cost. The price of incontinence supplies can range from $900-$4,000 per year.

Luckily, there are some options available that can help reduce these costs.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a government program that could help veterans get incontinence supplies. The program provides a wide range of healthcare services, including some medical supplies

To be eligible to get incontinence supplies through the VHA, veterans first need to become a member of the program and then visit a doctor to confirm a medical need. Every situation will be different, and there may be additional requirements that need to be met in order for the VHA program to cover the supplies.

Learn more about the Veteran’s Health Administration.

There’s great news for veterans with Medicaid: Most Medicaid plans cover incontinence supplies. Currently, 45 out of 50 state Medicaid plans provide some form of coverage for incontinence supplies. This means that veterans with Medicaid could get their supplies at little or no cost, depending on the details of their plan.

In order to use Medicaid benefits to get supplies, you will have to first visit a doctor and get a diagnosis. The diagnosis will allow an insurance company to receive official paperwork that shows a medical need for the supplies.

Once the diagnosis is documented, it’s time to call us! We provide monthly deliveries of incontinence supplies and bill your Medicaid plan for the cost. The process is very simple and only takes a few minutes to complete. To learn more about how to save money with Medicaid, call us at 866-343-4689.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.