Good source for incontinence supplies? (Need very large size..)
Ok...tonight was interesting. Mom is a very large woman, and her incontinence problem is getting worse - fast. Before I moved in, she wasn't using any sort of protection at all, and the house reeked of urine (among other things). So I got her started wearing the max absorbency Poise pads, extra long, etc - the heaviest duty pads I could get. That worked - for a while. Now, however, those pads just aren't cutting it. She's saturating them. I honestly think that even though her mind is still pretty good (just a little forgetful and kind of spacy sometimes), she's just not really aware that she's leaking as much urine as she really is. She says there is no burning or pain when she urinates, and she's not running a fever, so it's not a UTI - that was my first concern, because the problem seems to have gotten worse fairly quickly.
Whatever the source of the problem, I need to find a source for good, heavy duty incontinence panties or undergarments. (Need a very large size, equivalent to a woman's size 13-14 in underwear - keeping in mind that an underwear size 13-14 is NOT the same as a pants size 13-14 - you ladies will understand that, I'm sure - but a man probably wouldn't.)
I've checked a couple of places online, but dang, are these things expensive....but it's either upgrade to the Depends-type undergarments or keep paying a higher water bill for the constant washing of clothing, chair/bed pads and bedding. Mom is agreeable to trying them - especially since she keeps "losing" her pads. (They get twisted in her undies and fall out on the floor or slide down the leg of her pants - don't ask me how - I haven't figured it out myself yet.)
The whole protection pads is an expensive problem for caregivers. I recently learned something recently that boggles the mind - the pads are "time sensitive" and past a certain date aren't sold by the companies under the company name. (This is, by the way, hearsay, but it sounds very believable as the source was a physician.) The "old" product is shipped to third world countries and likely sold under a different name.
Anyway, there are people trying to find ways to warehouse these castoffs here in our country so that caregivers can get them at a lower cost. I know this doesn't help you at this point, but I was really affected by reading this.
There are some places that do have recycled medical equipment and new but donated items. Our community has a place called HEROES. There are many such non-profits across the country. I expect that boxes of incontinence pads go fast if they have any, but it's something to look for in your community just in case.
Take care,
Carol
I agree that the Depends are expensive. You can order them on-line in value packs, but still it it $180.00.
Try some of the men products, for now, and see if they are more absorbent. Good luck.
One company has already offered to send us samples so we can try them out, so we're going to give that a shot. They have incontinence undergarments in Mom's size....I hope. I have to measure her waist and get back to them to get samples sent.