Incontinence Fact Sheets

Incontinence Fact Sheets

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At Home Care Delivered, we want you to have the information you need for successfully managing incontinence. Here are some fact sheets that might answer your questions.

Don’t forget to check out our incontinence articles for more helpful tips. And remember, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Ready to get products now? Then sign up online for monthly supplies covered by your insurance. In just minutes, you’ll find the perfect product and learn your insurance eligibility for products at little to no cost.

Fact Sheets:

image collage of incontinence products computer monitor and cell phone showing online way to see if you qualify for insurance covered incontinence supplies

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.

How We Help Patients Understand Insurance Coverage of Their Medical Supplies

How We Help Patients Understand Insurance Coverage of Their Medical Supplies

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Anyone who regularly deals with healthcare insurance understands its complexities; the sheer number of different plans, the constant updates, the strict paperwork requirements for filing claims. It’s often too much for a person to handle alone. Many don’t know where to begin, and there’s no obvious resource to turn to. As a healthcare professional, you may be able to offer some assistance, but your time is already stretched thin enough treating your patients. We understand this hardship, and have a solution for both you and your patients.

We Are Your Expert

At Home Care Delivered, we serve as the team who can bridge the knowledge gap between patient and insurance. Patients can contact us, provide their insurance information, and in the same phone call, we can typically find the exact details of their medical supply coverage. Patients don’t need to do any research of their own; as long as they have the name of their insurance plan and the state of their network, we can educate them quickly on their options.

We have this capability thanks to the technology we’ve created. It stores and organizes detailed insurance information about requirements for medical supply coverage. Included is information such as the products covered, the number of items allowed per month, paperwork requirements, and any additional conditions that need to be met for coverage to go in effect.

Manning this massive database is our compliance team. It keeps all of the information by meticulously researching both insurance plans and laws that affect coverage. This ensures that the information we give to patients is as accurate as possible.

A Win for the Patient

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variety of medical supply categories diabetes incontinence ostomy wound

Living with a chronic condition that requires medical supplies?

Let us help you get the products you need — delivered discreetly to your door.

Many people manage ongoing health conditions, and the right medical supplies can make all the difference. The team at HCD works with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to support a wide range of needs, including urological, ostomy, diabetes, and wound care. We’ll help ensure you get the supplies you need to manage your condition with confidence.

Call 866-938-3906 to see if you qualify or reach out through our Contact Us form by selecting “An individual looking to see if I or a loved one qualifies for medical supplies.”

Why Expertise Matters in Medical Supplies: HCD’s Commitment to Quality Products and Service

Why Expertise Matters in Medical Supplies: HCD’s Commitment to Quality Products and Service

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Why Expertise Matters in Medical Supplies

They say knowledge is power—and in the world of medical supplies, it couldn’t be more true. At Home Care Delivered (HCD), expertise isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the foundation of the care we provide. Our team’s deep understanding of both the products and the healthcare system supports patients receiving the right supplies for their unique needs — safely, accurately, and efficiently.

Product Training: Building True Expertise

Medical supply expertise starts with our team. HCD works closely with manufacturers to understand every product we offer, from incontinence supplies to intermittent catheters and wound care products. This knowledge is passed directly to our staff through product-specific training programs led by our product experts and our manufacturing partners.

Every team member who interacts with patients, caregivers, or healthcare providers completes comprehensive training on our product lines. They learn about each product, how it’s used, and the medical conditions it supports. This ensures our team understands the products we offer and can work confidently patients and their healthcare professionals.

Industry Expertise: Navigating Health Plans and Requirements

Expertise doesn’t stop at product knowledge. Home Care Delivered is also a leader in understanding the complex requirements of health plans and navigating the insurance-covered medical supply process. Our team knows the documentation, prior authorizations, and insurance rules needed to get patients the supplies they require for their unique needs. From verifying coverage to collaborating with physicians on medical necessity, we make sure every order meets regulatory and insurance standards before it’s shipped, to reduce interruptions in future orders.

By combining deep product knowledge with industry expertise, HCD ensures patients receive supplies that help individuals manage their chronic conditions, while keeping the process seamless for healthcare providers. This dual focus on staff training and healthcare system expertise, sets us apart in the HME industry.

The Result: Confident, Safe, and Accurate Support

Our commitment to training and expertise pays off by helping to support better outcomes for patients. Each day, our team’s knowledge allows us to work with medical professionals to define a personalized supply solution that matches patients with the right products to help support their specific needs. For us, there’s no substitute for this level of expertise – it’s how we make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Living with a chronic condition that requires medical supplies?

Let us help you get the products you need — delivered discreetly to your door.

Many people manage ongoing health conditions, and the right medical supplies can make all the difference. The team at HCD works with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to support a wide range of needs, including urological, ostomy, diabetes, and wound care. We’ll help ensure you get the supplies you need to manage your condition with confidence.

Call 866-938-3906 to see if you qualify or reach out through our Contact Us form by selecting “An individual looking to see if I or a loved one qualifies for medical supplies.”

Risk Factors for Diabetes – A Comprehensive Guide

Risk Factors for Diabetes – A Comprehensive Guide

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It’s never been more important to understand the risk factors for diabetes.

Diabetes is quickly becoming one of the most common and dangerous illnesses in the country. More than 38 million adults are affected by diabetes, and every year, that number goes up. The number of people who die from diabetes is higher than deaths due to breast cancer and AIDS combined. Diabetes is also an expensive illness, costing 412.9 billion dollars annually. Unfortunately, many of the people who have diabetes (or prediabetes) aren’t even aware that they are sick or at great risk of developing it.

The good news is that many of the risk factors for diabetes are preventable. You can protect yourself by learning what they are and how to avoid them. As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Family History

If members of your family had diabetes in the past, then there’s a higher possibility that you could develop it as well. While there’s no research that shows diabetes is entirely genetic, studies do indicate that people with diabetic family members are up to 5.5 times more likely to develop the disease.

Collage of family photos showing different generations

Age

Research shows that as we get older, our risk for developing diabetes increases. During youth, the risk is fairly minor. It’s at age 45 where most new cases of diabetes start to develop. In fact, the most common age range for getting diabetes is 45-64, with almost 900,000 new cases each year.

Three generations of females in a family smiling

Ethnicity

Research shows that diabetes risk varies significantly across racial and ethnic groups. For example, African Americans are 77% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to non-Hispanic white Americans. Other groups with elevated risk include Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hawaiians, who experience disproportionately high rates of diabetes.

Hispanic Americans also face a higher risk, especially among youth. CDC data confirms that diabetes diagnoses in Hispanic children and teens are rising, with projections showing a continued increase in the coming decades.

Happy group of multiethnic of men and women of varying ages and genders all smiling

Menopause

The age at which menopause begins could affect the risk of developing diabetes. In general, the younger a woman is when menopause starts, the greater the risk for diabetes. In fact, recent studies showed that women who began menopause before age 40 were up to 4 times more likely to develop diabetes later in life. Women who experience menopause after age 55 tend to have the lowest risk for diabetes in the future.

Middle aged woman in menopause smelling flowers while outside

Weight Gain

Weight is the most common and well-known risk factor for developing diabetes. It is also one of the most impactful. Studies show that unhealthy weight gain significantly raises the chance of developing the disease. Currently, almost 90% of people with type II diabetes are either overweight or obese. The risk factor decreases with weight loss.

Reducing the risk: Studies have shown that losing 5-7% of excessive body weight can delay the onset of diabetes by 66%.

Weight scale on the floor with stethoscope on top of scale

Smoking

The impact that smoking has on the development of diabetes is simple: the more you smoke, the greater the risk of developing diabetes. Smoking has been shown to raise the likelihood of diabetes by 30-40%, regardless of what kind of cigarettes are used. Smoking also causes complications for people who already have diabetes. Smoking makes it harder to manage blood sugar and interferes with insulin effectiveness.

Reducing the risk: Quitting smoking altogether is the best way to reduce risk, but any decrease in smoking can be beneficial.

image of cigarett in a knot

Inactive Lifestyle

People who don’t do a lot of physical activity are at greater risk for diabetes. Specifically, if your activity is less than 30 minutes a day, then your risk of diabetes increases measurably. A lack of exercise has been demonstrated to change how insulin interacts with cells, which of course increases the chance of diabetes occurring. Inactivity also slows metabolism, putting individuals at higher risk for weight gain and obesity.

Reducing the risk: Physicians recommend 30 minutes of physical activity per day to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and other health problems that stem from inactivity.

Sleep Schedule

If you’re a “night owl” and enjoy being awake during the long hours of the night, you could be at higher risk for diabetes. Recent research suggests that bedtimes have an impact on the risk to diabetes. People who stay up later are about 2.5 times more likely to develop diabetes, regardless of how many hours they sleep when they do go to bed. People with earlier bedtimes who also wake up earlier were shown to have less risk of diabetes, even if they slept the same number of hours as those who stayed up later.

Reducing the risk: Choose a regular bedtime that’s earlier and try to make it a habit to go to sleep at that same time every night.

Medications

The use of some medications is one of the risk factors for diabetes. Specifically, statin drugs, often used to help lower cholesterol, have been linked to higher diabetes cases. Researchers have suggested that people using statin users are 14% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The risk factor of statin use is fairly minor, but for people who are already in the high-risk category for diabetes, using them could be a cause for concern.

Reducing the risk: Talk with your doctor about the potential risk and see if there are alternatives to statin drugs that work for you.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can also lead to a unique form of diabetes called gestational diabetes. Doctors are unclear exactly what causes it to develop, but its impact on the body is different from type 1 and type 2 diabetes. During pregnancy, the placenta produces enormous levels of hormones, some of which can counteract the ability of cells to use insulin. This can lead to gestational diabetes. The good news is that in most cases of gestational diabetes, the body returns to normal after pregnancy. Experiencing gestational diabetes does, however, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Reducing the risk: During pregnancy, try to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet while limiting sugar-laden foods.

Lack of Vitamin D

Recent studies are showing that a lack of Vitamin D could be a risk factor for diabetes. Vitamin D plays a role in reducing your body’s resistance to insulin. If there’s not enough Vitamin D in the body, it can impair the ability of insulin to work as well as it should. There are other areas in which Vitamin D contributes to diabetes prevention, such as glucose resistance and helping to regulate calcium in the cells (which can also impair the effect of insulin).

Reducing the risk: Make sure you are getting plenty of Vitamin D each day. Because Vitamin D is hard to intake through diet alone, you may want to consider alternatives, such as a vitamin supplement. Talk to a doctor to learn more about what your needs may be.

Prediabetes

Normal Fasting glucose levels are <100 mg/dl. If fasting glucose levels are 100-125 mg/dl, the individual has what’s known as Impaired fasting glucose, or pre-diabetes. Fasting glucose levels above 126 mg/dl on two separate occasions are indicative of diabetes. There are almost 98 million Americans with prediabetes, many of whom do not know they are ill. People with prediabetes are at extreme risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Reducing the risk: Prediabetes is often the result of being overweight, obese, or having a poor diet. Consider losing weight and making healthier choices in the foods you eat.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a disease of the pancreas that has been linked to an increased risk factor for diabetes. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, usually from digestive enzymes that activate while still in the pancreas. One of the potential long-term effects secondary diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops because of another medical condition. The two most common causes of pancreatitis are excessive alcohol use and gallstones. There is also some evidence about the relationship between gut health and blood sugar.

Reducing the risk: Pancreatitis develops primarily from alcoholism, so refraining from alcohol or limiting it to small amounts is a good way to reduce your risk.

Geography

Where you live may have an impact on the chances of developing type 1 diabetes. Studies have shown that people living in colder climates are more likely to develop the disease, particularly those in the northern hemisphere. While there’s no known explanation for why colder areas trigger type 1 diabetes, it’s been shown that the farther you get from the equator, the more cases there are of type 1 diabetes.

Beauty Products and Plastics

Some beauty products may be contributing to increases in diabetes cases thanks to phthalates, a chemical commonly used in the production of cosmetics and plastics. A recent study showed that older adults with high counts of phthalate were more likely to have problems with their body’s ability to regulate insulin.

Reducing the risk: Thankfully, there are products available that do not contain any form of phthalates. Check the labels to find out which ones they are.

variety of medical supply categories diabetes incontinence ostomy wound

Living with a chronic condition that requires medical supplies?

Let us help you get the products you need — delivered discreetly to your door.

Many people manage ongoing health conditions, and the right medical supplies can make all the difference. The team at HCD works with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to support a wide range of needs, including urological, ostomy, diabetes, and wound care. We’ll help ensure you get the supplies you need to manage your condition with confidence.

Call 866-938-3906 to see if you qualify or reach out through our Contact Us form by selecting “An individual looking to see if I or a loved one qualifies for medical supplies.”

5 Steps for Choosing the Right Incontinence Product

5 Steps for Choosing the Right Incontinence Product

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Choosing the right incontinence product isn’t easy.

For many, the process is a labored struggle with questions that don’t seem to have an easy answer: What products are out there? What do they do? How do I know if they’ll work for me?

Luckily, you don’t have to answer these questions alone. We’ve put together a guide of 5 simple things that will lead you to the right product.

1. Identify Your Leakage Type

The first step towards the right incontinence product is identifying leakage. Different products are made for different levels of output, so it’s important to know yours before you choose a product. In medical terms, the types of leakage are broken down and defined as follows:

  • Light – Light output consists of small dribbles of urine, usually no more than a few drops or very short spurts at a time.
  • Medium/Moderate – Medium output is characterized by longer streams or heavy dripping of urine, resulting in larger outputs.
  • Heavy – Heavy output is when there are larger gushes or steady flows of urine, which could occur more frequently throughout the day.
  • Fecal – Fecal output is any kind of leakage from a bowel movement, regardless of volume.

Keep in mind that leakage isn’t limited to one category. It’s very possible to experience multiple types of output.

2. Identify Your Frequency

You also need to understand how often leakage occurs. If leakage happens often, you may need a more absorbent product, even if the leakage is light. There are no specific categories for frequency, so a good way to determine it is to record the number of times per day that leakage is experienced.

A helpful way to do this is to keep a daily bladder diary. This will help to accurately track the type of output, how frequently it occurs, and when it is experienced.

3. Understand the Products

Knowing the products is absolutely crucial to good incontinence management. There are many different types, and each one serves a specific need.

  • Bladder Control Pads – Bladder Control Pads are long, absorbent pads designed for lighter outputs of urine. They attach directly to the underwear with an adhesive strip. The polymer inside the pad absorbs liquid and locks it in, keeping the skin clean and dry. Because of their size, Bladder Control Pads are very discreet, but offer protection for lighter output volumes.
  • Male Guards – Male guards are a special type of Bladder Control Pad designed uniquely to fit the male anatomy. They offer the same protection as a regular pad but come with a tapered end for better collection of urine. And like regular pads, they are the most discreet option but can only handle lighter output.
  • Protective Underwear/Pull-Ons – Protective Underwear, also known as Pull-Ons, are wearable protection that can replace underwear and fit beneath clothing. They protect against moderate or medium leakage outputs. The absorbency area is larger than a pad, protecting against greater volumes of output. Like Bladder Control Pads, Protective Underwear is designed to be discreet and comfortable. When fitted properly, they also help prevent leakage from traveling down the leg and dampening clothing.
  • Adult Briefs – Like protective underwear, Adult Briefs are wearable protection made to fit underneath the clothing. They offer the highest protection of any absorbent product and have the largest coverage area. Unlike other absorbent incontinence products, Adult Briefs can handle both urinary and fecal leakage.
  • Booster Pads – Booster Pads are a supplemental item designed to be used with another absorbent product. As the name suggests, they “boost” absorbency by providing an extra layer of protection with Bladder Control Pads, Male Guards, or Protective Underwear. Booster Pads do not have a waterproof side, so they cannot replace the use of another incontinence products.

4. Selecting the Right Incontinence Product

Now comes the trickier part: choosing the right product. The key to finding the right one is to match the leakage and frequency with a product designed to accommodate it.

When making a decision, it’s important to be honest and really think about what’s best for your quality of life. Keep in mind that just one product type may not be enough. It’s very possible (and common) for different products to be needed in different situations. If you have questions about yours, contact us for help. Our care experts can help you determine what’s best for you.

If you want the most accurate results for what product works for you, the best place to start is with our product finder. The product finder matches your symptoms and needs with the right product, and then can even help you find out if your insurance can be used to cover the cost.

5. Ask Questions

When it comes to incontinence products, there’s no such thing as a wrong question. Incontinence products can be confusing to sort through. There are a lot of different brands and models, each with their own unique features and designs. Trying to understand it all alone can be daunting. It’s better to ask an expert and get the right information so that you don’t put your health at risk.

A good place to start is with us. We’ve been working with these products since 1996, so we know what they’re best suited for. Our care experts can answer any questions you have, so don’t hesitate to call us at (866) 938-3906. You can also reach us through the contact form on our website. Let us know what you need, and we’ll be happy to help!

image collage of incontinence products computer monitor and cell phone showing online way to see if you qualify for insurance covered incontinence supplies

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.

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