An Unspoken Problem Worth Talking About

Incontinence is a condition that is widely misunderstood and stigmatized. Little wonder so many suffer in silence, even as more products are available to enable them to lead fuller lives while managing the condition.

New products offer improved levels of performance and discretion, but communication and education are still missing pieces of the puzzle — and ones HME providers are almost uniquely positioned to provide. There are an estimated 25 million people dealing with incontinence in the United States, and although it is more prevalent among women, incontinence also affects men, according to the National Association of Continence.

Steve Blazejewski, U.S. president, Medical Supplies, Covidien, contends that raising awareness of the facts about incontinence can encourage people to bring up the subject to someone who can help. Many with the condition do not know that management options are available, or how to choose a product that fits their needs. "We need to help educate them on their options so they can get back to living their lives in comfort and with dignity," says Blazejewski.

As baby boomers age, incontinence could even be the deal-breaker when considering home care versus a nursing home.

"Providers need to understand how much incontinence impacts the decision for a family to move a loved one into a professional care environment," says Dan Lafferty, director of marketing, alternate channels, for SCA's Personal Care North America division. Results of an SCA survey last year showed that 18 percent of unpaid caregivers considered moving — or did move — their loved one into a nursing home as a result of his or her incontinence.

"The industry is recognizing that more people are opting to stay at home longer," says Lafferty. "This means that care plans should be designed to promote the greatest level of continence and independence as possible, which translates to making a broader range of products available and providing increased education around them."

Care outside of an institutional setting also suggests a need for more specialized products, whether overnight pads or gender-specific underwear. "You also need to take into account the fact that there will be an increasing number of unpaid or unprofessional caregivers who do not have the expertise or background regarding the application of incontinence products," says Lafferty.