Continence Care FAQs
Choosing the right continence care products is essential for supporting resident comfort, dignity and wellbeing. Whether you are looking for guidance on incontinence pads, pull-up pants, all-in-one products or skin care solutions, our Frequently Asked Questions provide practical information to help care homes and healthcare providers make informed decisions. Explore answers to common questions about continence management, product selection and best practice in resident care.
What incontinence products do care homes use?
Care homes commonly use incontinence pads, pull-up pants, all-in-one products, bed protection and skin care products to support resident comfort and dignity.
How do I choose the right incontinence product?
The right product depends on mobility, absorbency requirements, level of incontinence and individual care needs.
What is the difference between incontinence pads and pull-up pants?
Pads are generally used with fixation underwear, while pull-up pants can be worn like normal underwear and are often preferred by more mobile individuals.
Which incontinence products are suitable for overnight use?
Higher absorbency pads and all-in-one products are typically recommended for overnight protection.
Which continence brands do you supply?
S&E CareTrade supplies trusted brands including Abena, AMD, ID and TENA.
What is the difference between pads and pull-up pants?
The main difference is how they are worn and the level of independence they support. Incontinence pads are usually worn inside close-fitting underwear or fixation pants and are suitable for a wide range of continence needs. Pull-up pants are designed to be worn like normal underwear, making them ideal for people who are mobile and able to manage their own toileting. The most appropriate option depends on the individual's level of incontinence, mobility and personal preference.
What are all-in-one incontinence products?
All-in-one incontinence products are fully fitted briefs with resealable fastening tabs that provide high levels of absorbency. They are commonly used for people with moderate to heavy urinary or faecal incontinence, particularly those who require assistance from carers. The adjustable tabs allow carers to achieve a secure fit while making product changes easier for residents with limited mobility.
How often should incontinence products be changed?
Incontinence products should be changed as soon as they become soiled or reach their absorbent capacity. There is no fixed timeframe, as this varies depending on the individual's continence needs, the type of product being used and the level of absorbency required. Regular changing helps maintain skin health, supports dignity and reduces the risk of moisture-associated skin damage and incontinence-associated dermatitis.
Which continence products are best for overnight use?
The best overnight continence product is one that provides sufficient absorbency while fitting the individual correctly. Products designed specifically for overnight use offer higher absorbency and help keep moisture away from the skin for longer periods. However, selecting the correct size and fit is just as important as absorbency to reduce the risk of leaks and maintain comfort throughout the night.
How do care homes manage continence care?
Continence care in care homes begins with an individual assessment of each resident's needs. This includes selecting appropriate continence products, supporting regular toileting where possible, maintaining good skin care routines and reviewing residents' needs as they change over time. Care staff also monitor skin condition, encourage hydration and document continence care as part of the resident's personalised care plan. A person-centred approach helps maintain comfort, dignity and independence.
What products help maintain skin health during incontinence care?
Maintaining healthy skin involves more than choosing the right continence product. Care homes should use a combination of absorbent continence products, gentle pH-balanced skin cleansers, moisturisers and barrier creams or barrier sprays to protect the skin from prolonged exposure to moisture. Using clinically developed skincare ranges, such as the ABENA Skincare range, alongside appropriate continence products can help reduce the risk of moisture-associated skin damage and incontinence-associated dermatitis.
What absorbency level do I need for incontinence products?
The correct absorbency depends on the individual's level of urinary or faecal incontinence, frequency of episodes, mobility and lifestyle. Choosing the highest absorbency is not always the best option, as products that are more absorbent than necessary may increase heat and moisture around the skin. A continence assessment can help identify the most appropriate product, ensuring the right balance between protection, comfort and skin health. At S&E CareTrade, our Continence Nurse Specialist can provide expert advice on selecting products that best meet each resident's individual needs.
When should a resident's continence care plan be reviewed?
A resident's continence care plan should be reviewed whenever there is a change in their health, mobility, cognition or continence needs. It should also be reviewed regularly as part of routine care planning to ensure continence products and care strategies remain appropriate. Prompt reviews help improve comfort, maintain dignity and reduce the risk of skin damage.
How often should continence assessments be carried out?
A continence assessment should be completed when a resident is first admitted to the care home and reviewed whenever their needs change. Regular reassessments help ensure residents continue to receive the most appropriate products and care. Assessments may also be required following hospital admission, changes in medication, infection or significant changes in mobility or cognition.
What causes urinary incontinence in older adults?
Urinary incontinence can have many causes, including age-related changes to the bladder, weakened pelvic floor muscles, neurological conditions, urinary tract infections, certain medications, reduced mobility and cognitive impairment. Some types of incontinence can be improved through assessment and treatment, so it should never be considered an inevitable part of ageing.
How is urinary incontinence managed in nursing homes?
Urinary incontinence is managed through a person-centred approach that begins with a comprehensive continence assessment. Care may include toileting programmes, appropriate continence products, skin care, hydration support, medication management where appropriate and regular reviews. The aim is to promote comfort, dignity and independence while reducing the risk of complications.
How do you prevent incontinence-associated dermatitis?
Preventing incontinence-associated dermatitis involves keeping the skin clean, dry and protected. This includes changing continence products promptly, using gentle pH-balanced cleansers, applying barrier creams or sprays where appropriate and selecting well-fitting absorbent products that keep moisture away from the skin. Regular skin inspections also help identify early signs of irritation before more serious damage develops.
How often should continence products be changed?
Continence products should be changed as soon as they become soiled or reach their absorbent capacity. The frequency will vary depending on the individual's continence needs, the product being used and the resident's daily routine. Prompt changing helps maintain skin integrity, improves comfort and reduces the risk of leakage and moisture-associated skin damage.
What is the best continence product for elderly residents?
There is no single product that is best for every resident. The most appropriate continence product depends on the individual's level of incontinence, mobility, skin condition, lifestyle and personal preferences. A professional continence assessment helps ensure the product provides the right balance of absorbency, comfort, fit and skin protection.
How can nursing homes reduce continence product waste?
Care homes can reduce waste by carrying out regular continence assessments and selecting products that match each resident's actual needs. Using products with excessive absorbency can increase unnecessary waste and costs, while products with insufficient absorbency may lead to leaks and more frequent changes. Staff training, correct product sizing and ongoing reviews all help improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary product usage.
What should a continence assessment include?
A continence assessment should consider the resident's type of incontinence, frequency of episodes, fluid intake, mobility, cognitive ability, skin condition, medical history, medication and personal preferences. The assessment should also identify any treatable causes of incontinence and help determine the most appropriate continence products and care plan.
Can incontinence increase the risk of pressure ulcers?
Yes. Prolonged exposure to urine or faeces can weaken the skin's natural barrier, making it more vulnerable to pressure damage. Residents who have limited mobility and incontinence are often at greater risk of developing pressure ulcers. Good continence care, regular repositioning, pressure-relieving equipment and effective skin care all play an important role in reducing this risk.
How do care homes maintain dignity during continence care?
Maintaining dignity means providing continence care in a respectful, discreet and person-centred manner. Care staff should explain procedures, involve residents in decisions wherever possible, protect privacy, promote independence and use products that are comfortable and appropriate for the individual's needs. Respectful communication and compassionate care are just as important as the products being used.
What training should care staff receive on continence care?
Care staff should receive training on continence assessment, correct product selection, skin care, recognising signs of moisture-associated skin damage, infection prevention, maintaining dignity and safe moving and handling during personal care. Regular refresher training helps ensure staff remain confident in delivering evidence-based continence care and are aware of current best practice. At S&E CareTrade, our Continence Nurse Specialist, Molly Speers provides training for care homes on request. We also have a training video available on the CareConnect training portal.
When should a resident be referred for specialist continence support?
A resident should be referred for specialist continence support if their continence needs change significantly, they develop recurrent urinary tract infections, experience persistent leakage despite appropriate products, have ongoing skin damage or pain, or if the cause of their incontinence is unclear. Specialist assessment can help identify underlying causes and recommend personalised treatment or management strategies. S&E CareTrade's Continence Nurse Specialist can also provide practical advice on product selection and best practice to support care home teams in delivering high-quality continence care.
What is moisture-associated skin damage (MASD)?
Moisture-associated skin damage is inflammation or breakdown of the skin caused by prolonged exposure to moisture such as urine, faeces, perspiration or wound exudate. Prompt continence care and effective skin protection help reduce the risk.
What is incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD)?
Incontinence-associated dermatitis is a type of moisture-associated skin damage caused by repeated exposure to urine or faeces. Symptoms include redness, soreness, inflammation and damaged skin around the buttocks, groin and upper thighs.
Can incontinence products cause skin irritation?
Skin irritation is usually caused by prolonged exposure to moisture rather than the continence product itself. However, using products that do not fit correctly, are changed too infrequently or are inappropriate for the resident's needs may contribute to skin problems.
How do you choose the correct size continence product?
The correct product should be selected based on the resident's waist and hip measurements, level of incontinence, mobility and body shape. A properly fitting product helps reduce leaks, improves comfort and supports skin health.
Can dehydration make incontinence worse?
Yes. Drinking too little fluid can concentrate urine, irritating the bladder and increasing the urgency to urinate. Good hydration forms an important part of effective continence management.