Assessment interview: product choices and personal priorities
After discussing the person’s leaks, you can now:
- Introduce the absorbent products that may be suitable (from those available)
- Discuss with the person their activities and abilities to identify which product features are most important to them.
Read on to see some of the things you may discuss with the person, depending on the absorbent product options.
A person’s activities and where those activities take place, may change their choice of product.
One product may not be suitable for all activities, so a person may select more than one type of product.
Ask: Are your daytime activities mainly at home, away from home or both?
Question
1. Why might a person prefer a different type of product when at home or away from home?
(Select all that apply)
a), b) and c) are all reasons why a person may prefer different products depending on whether they are at home or away from home.
2. If a person experiences leaks of stool, will a more absorbent product allow them to use the product for longer?
No, a product should be changed immediately if a person experiences a leak of stool, whether the person is at home, or away from home.
3. What is a possible disadvantage of selecting a more absorbent product?
(Select all that apply)
b) and c) are correct.
Bulkier products are more noticeable under some clothing.
A more absorbent product can take longer to dry than a less absorbent product.
a) is not correct. A more absorbent product does not take longer to wash.
Ask: Are you able to wash washable products?
Question
What does a person need, to be able to wash washable products?
(Select all that apply)
Yes, washable products create more washing.
Yes, if the person has difficulty walking or uses a wheelchair, they may have difficulty accessing washing facilities.
Yes, extra washing requires extra water. A reliable water supply is important.
Yes, extra washing requires more washing powder or soap.
Discussion
Is there a Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) program in your area?
If yes, can the WASH program assist people to improve their access to wash areas for both washing themselves and washing clothes / continence products?
Ask: Are you able to dry washable products easily?
Washable absorbent products take time to dry.
Products that are very absorbent, or one piece, take longer to dry.
Drying times can increase when it is cold, rainy or very humid.
Remember Zora?
Zora has limited space and lives in a humid environment. She chose to use a two piece system so that her products will dry faster.
Zora uses a shared space for washing. For more privacy, she covers her absorbent products when they are on the line with a thin cloth.
Ask: Are you able to store and dispose of single use products safely?
Single use products should be stored in a dry environment with good air flow.
Depending on how products are financed, they may be supplied daily, weekly or enough for 1-3 months. Bulk supply requires storage space.
Single use products require a regular rubbish collection service.
Ask: Are you able to change your product on your own?
If a person is not sure whether they are able to change the product on their own, ask them to practice putting it on and off over their clothes or underwear.
If a person would prefer privacy while putting on the product, and can do so safely, make sure a private space is available.
If a person has difficulty standing or dressing, they may have difficulty changing a product on their own.
Ask the person if they want to include their assistant or family member in the product selection.
Ask: Can you (or the person assisting you) use your hands easily?
A person who cannot use their hands easily may find pull on products or products with simple fasteners easiest to manage.
If the person needs assistance, also consider the needs of the person assisting.
Ask: To put on absorbent products, will you mostly stand, sit or lie down?
The person’s ability to stand up and/or position themselves can impact their choice of product.
Standing
For most products (except terry folded squares) putting them on and off is easiest if the person can stand.
The person only needs to stand for long enough to pull up or position their absorbent product.
Sitting
If a person cannot stand, and sits when they get dressed and undressed, pull up products are the most suitable.
Lying down
For people who are assisted to manage their absorbent products in a lying position, all products are suitable.
Check the TAP Absorbent product selection table to see which products can be put on standing, sitting or lying down.
Question
Meet Lei
Lei is a stall holder at her local market. She had a stroke and has difficulty using one of her hands. When at the market, Lei occasionally has difficulty getting to the toilet in time.
Out of the following, which product would you select for Lei?
Possibly – it is a one piece product with no fasteners, which may be easier for Lei. However, Lei may have difficulty getting the product on over her feet when putting it on.
This is not be a good choice for Lei. Mesh pants are difficult to put on for a person who has difficulty using both hands. It is also difficult to position the pad while pulling up the pants.
Yes, this could be a good choice for Lei. This product can be put on standing up. The belt holds the pad in position while the person fastens the pad at the front.
To make a final choice, Lei needs to try the products.
Learn more about putting on and taking off absorbent products in Lesson three.
It is important to select the correct size absorbent product for each person, to ensure a good fit. If the product does not fit it is likely to leak.
Ask: If you may take the person’s measurements to help select the correct product size.
There are different measurements that are useful to help select the right size absorbent product.
- Waist
- Hips
Measurements help select the most likely size to fit. However, the only way to be sure the product will fit well is for the person to try it on.
Some product descriptions give a measurement without describing where to take the measurement from. In this situation, measure waist and hips and select the larger measurement.
Watch this short video where Richard is measured for absorbent products.
Activity
It is helpful to practice taking measurements on each other using a soft tape measure.
- You can measure the person standing up or lying down.
- Measure around the waist
- Measure the widest part of the hips
- Select the most likely product size from the locally available products.
If you have any difficulties selecting a suitable size, post your questions on the discussion forum.