Best solutions to female incontinence

[Cusstardy]

Mum has used some pads designed for urinary incontinence but her control has worsened as her confusion has increased. Has anyone got any suggestions for products that help? Have had a look but was a bit overwhelmed at the choice. What are the most leak proof products you rate?

thanks for any ideas

Can you make an appointment with your GP & they will refer your Mum to the incontinence nurse.
Is she able to change the pads herself? The pull up ones, tena do some, are the easiest if she’s still able to dress herself.
Also things like a commode by the bed if she’s finding it hard to get to the bathroom/toilet in time during the night etc….

Thanks for the response. Don’t know why I didn’t think there would be an incontinence nurse - will investigate.

She has managed pads but has also put some giant ones down the loo and dad has had to fish them out.

Will have a look at the tens ones.

I agree she should be referred to the incontinence clinic. By the way the pull up pants by Aldi are just as good as Tena and significantly cheaper.

Continence referral and speak to gp

Sometimes oestrogen pessary or ring can help too.

I know this is an odd thing to suggest but if this is a sudden thing alongside her confusion getting worse are you sure she doesn’t have a uti? As often the two go together. Worth checking anyway.

It's called the Bladder and Bowel Service in our area, and I think you can self refer as well as going via GP/other health professionals.

Agree with @Sparrowsandbudgies that if it's sudden or different to usual it's worth seeing GP to rule out a UTI.

Sadly it’s not a UTI - had hopes at the start but she has been tested repeatedly and is clear.

I think although she has had a lot of medical input this issue has been overlooked - we have always had a bigger set of issues but this is the one to sort this week.

Thanks again

Pull-ups. The Aldi ones are better than Tena &co for anything over mild incontinence. These are even better.

I've tried 'em all and now have these on subscription. The only real advantage of expensive brands is that they're softer around the edges. Be very careful that the skin in the fold between thigh & crotch isn't getting abraded (Savlon is helpful).

https://www.ageukincontinence.co.uk/multipack-8x-vivactive-pants-maxi-medium-2200ml-10-pack.html

https://www.ageukincontinence.co.uk has a good selection, the vivoavtive ones seem to work pretty well.

Does she have oestrogen treatment? Vaginal atrophy makes UTIs more frequent (see the menopause board here). Pharmacist can prescribe it, no inspection necessary.

Thank you so much for sharing - love the support this place can offer and the wisdom of experience xx

An update. Mum continued to decline and finally retested positive for a uti that doc didn’t want to treat but I insisted - I was what I thought was foolishly hopeful her symptoms could be UTI related. She was prescribed antibiotics and two days later was well again. The diagnosed dementia vanished overnight!
scary!

Wow I’m so glad it was something treatable!

Scary how resistant medical professionals are to something that is all too common.
It shouldn't need family to advocate for the right treatment.