Practice selecting absorbent products and discuss plan
Use the information gathered during assessment to make a plan with the person.
If the person would benefit from absorbent products:
- Select and list products
- Discuss and record daily changes for each product
- Calculate how many of each product they will need.
Use the TAP Absorbent product selection table to help match the person’s needs and abilities to the products which are available.
The plan should also include:
- Referrals
- What to teach the person.
Remember Marina?
Marina has moderate leaks of urine during the day and night.
Marina uses washable two piece with moderate absorbent pad for day and night use.
However, Marina would prefer a less bulky product when she attends her exercise classes twice a week.
For her exercise class Marina selected a moderate absorbency single use pad which she wears with her own close fitting underwear.
Select and list products
List each product.
This includes products for night and day, different activities, and any extra pads or liners.
See how Marina’s plan was recorded.
Discuss and record daily changes for each product
Discuss with the person and write down how many times the person is likely to need to change their products each day.
The number of changes will depend on:
- The absorbency of the product
- The volume of the person’s leaks
- If the person has any skin problems
- How easily the person can change their product
- Personal preference.
This is how Marina and her health worker discussed the number of daily changes she might need.
Calculate how many of each product the person will need
For washable products, allow for enough products for the number of changes each day and night, and time for products to wash and dry ready to use again.
Depending on how quickly a person can wash and dry their products, they may need 2x or 3x the number of changes per day.
Question
Marina will be using washable absorbent products and single use product (for exercise).
For the washable products, she has agreed with her health worker that she will likely need two changes in the day and one change at night.
She has no difficulty with washing the products and she lives in a hot country where drying time is very quick.
How many of each of her absorbent products do you think she may need?
1. Washable pad: Marina will need:
c) 6 is the correct answer. This is 2x the number of changes.
If Marina thought it would be difficult to get the products washed and dried, she may need more.
2. Waterproof pants with mesh pockets: Marina will need:
c) 4 is the correct answer. This is 2x the number of changes.
Marina does not need to change the washable outer layer every time she changes the washable absorbent layer. She can change once in the day and once at the end of the night.
For single use products, it can be helpful to calculate how many products a person will need for one month.
Allow for enough products for the number of changes each day and night x 30.
Remember even if the product is dry at the end of a day, it should be disposed of and a fresh product used the next day.
Question
Marina is using both washable and single use products. The single use products are just for her exercise class which is two times each week.
How many single use pads would Marina need for a month supply (about four weeks)?
b) About 8 is correct.
Marina attends two exercise classes per week. She will need one single use product for each class.
Referrals
Decide with the person if they:
- Need immediate referral to a healthcare professional for medical attention or referral for a continence assessment
- May benefit from another assistive device and/or referral for other services.
Marina has seen a health professional about her leaks and is receiving treatment. No need for a referral.
Question
Who needs a referral?
(Select all that apply)
a), b), c), d) are correct.
A person with a health condition affecting their bladder or bowel should be referred to a health professional.
A person experiencing incontinence should always be referred to a continence service for treatment to cure or manage their incontinence.
A person may have other needs that would benefit from another assistive device or referral to other services.
What to teach
Decide with the person if they would benefit from simple health advice and learning how to use their absorbent product safely.
Question
Marina will be using absorbent products for the first time. Look at her completed assessment interview. What do you think will be helpful to teach her?
(Select all that apply)
c), d), e), f) g) are correct.
Although Marina has not described skin problems, advice on skin care is important for all people using absorbent products for the first time.
Marina is using washable and single use products so teaching about washing and how to safely dispose of products is useful.
Marina will be more confident about using the products and they will last longer if she has been shown how to use and look after her products.
a) and b) are not necessary because Marina has not described any signs of urine infections or constipation.
Now let’s practice finding out about a person’s individual needs and developing a plan for them.
Read the information about Cheyenne and Jensen, and complete the activities below.
Question
Cheyenne, experiences constant leaks of urine and leaks stool six times per day. After completing an assessment and discussing options with you, Cheyenne decided to use single use absorbent products.
1. How many products would you recommend Cheyenne use per day?
b) 6 is correct. Cheyenne is leaking stool so she will need a new single use product every time she leaks stool.
2. Which of the following will you teach Cheyenne?
Yes – make sure Cheyenne understands how to put on and take off the product in the most practical way and how to protect her skin.
No – single use products do not need washing.
Yes – discuss with Cheyenne how she will take products to the community latrine for disposal.
Yes – Cheyenne may appreciate discussing ideas for how she will manage changing and disposing of her products when she is out.
Meet Jensen
Jensen is 60 years old and has diabetes. Jensen does not have full feeling in his feet or hands. He experiences frequent moderate leaks in the day because he cannot get to the toilet in time.
With Jensen, you estimate he will need to change his product five times in the day. At night he uses a hand held urinal and does not need absorbent products.
At the end of the assessment, Jensen selects a washable all-in-one product.
1. How many products will you supply Jensen with?
Remember to consider time to wash and dry in between use.
10 is correct. Jensen will need double the number of product changes to allow enough time for washing and drying in between using products.
2. Which of the following services might Jensen benefit from being referred to?
(Select all that apply)
Possibly – If Jensen has described symptoms of urine infection, constipation, or skin damage due to incontinence.
Urine infections and constipation can be more common for people with diabetes.
Possibly – If Jensen has not had a continence assessment, he should be referred for continence care.
Possibly – Check whether Jensen is in regular contact with a diabetes service.
3. Which of the following will you teach Jensen?
Yes – make sure Jensen can manage to put on and take of his product easily. It may be harder for Jensen because he does not have full sensation in his hands.
Yes – Jensen should learn how to wash and dry his product so it lasts longer. He should also wash the products before he starts using them. This helps the products to absorb leaks more efficiently.
No – washable products are re-usable and do not need to be disposed.
Yes – Jensen may appreciate discussing ideas for how he will manage changing and storing his products when he is out.
You have completed Lesson two!
If you have any questions or comments, post them on the discussion forum.