This may look like a dumb question, but I'm having trouble identifying incontinence products. Sanitary pads have advertising on them that talks about absorbancy and no leakage. Incontinence products don't mention urine. How does a male who has never paid attention to these products tell the difference?
Incontinence products are for urine and feces. They come as briefs that can be step-in or with adhesive side tabs (diaper-style). It can be confusing since the incontinence-wear companies also make pads that can be inserted into underwear (or into an incontinence brief as a 'boost') that look like sanitary pads.
Most folks seem to start with using the brief style first since it looks like underwear and your person may be able to make the switch to these pretty easily. As their person loses the ability to change out of the briefs, people switch to the side tab type for ease of changes. Most drug stores and big box stores have a 'house' brand of briefs for a good price, and then there are the big name brands like 'Depends'. You may want to look at some online reviews.
My mom likes the ones at the link below because the side panels are softer-they are a little more expensive, but you can rummage around the website to learn what to look for when you go shopping:
https://www.parentgiving.com/collections/dry-direct-by-parentgiving
You can also see how to measure for a good fit for briefs-each company's sizes are close, but slightly different.
Young, please don't feel like this is a stupid question!
There are "light days" pads that many women use for the waning days of their periods and/or bladder leaks (like, when I sneeze, I leak).
If your wife is not just drippling or leaking, then incontinence briefs, like Depends would seen to be the way to go.
Please feel free to post back for additional clarification!