A Guide to Choosing Disposable Incontinence Pads

While a high absorbency pad is seen as being a crucial aspect of choosing the ideal incontinence pad design, it’s important to bear in mind that that isn’t the only crucial factor - there are various aspects that you need to think about.
 

The fact is that high Absorbency is no substitute for a pad that does not perform well in other ways. If you are purchasing these specialist pads for your care home, hospital or for a relative you are caring for at home, naturally you want to ensure that you are choosing the right option for the needs of the person - or people - that the product is for. Absorbancy is always going to be important because that’s the main aspect of the concept of an incontinence pad, however, there are other, just as essential factors that you need to take into account.

So what does an absorbancy figure mean? Figures for absorbency are derived from standard laboratory tests which will tell you if one pad absorbs more than another. They do not tell you how much the pad absorbs and holds when you are using it.

An adult bladder usually holds about 550ml (a pint). Most people feel the need to empty their bladder when it is about half full so the amount of urine excreted at one time is about a cupful. Most pads are easily able to hold several times the volume of urine likely to be excreted at one time.

And if a pad really held the quoted absorbency the weight being supported would be very uncomfortable. 1000ml of urine weighs the same as a bag of sugar!

So what else is important?

SPEED The tests that produce absorbency figures take no account of the sudden rush of urine that is the feature of many types of incontinence. High-quality pads absorb quickly.

LEAKAGE Having absorbed the urine pads should hold on to it when you move or put pressure on the pad. High-quality pads don’t leak.

COMFORT Pads should be comfortable and feel secure. High-quality pads are shaped to fit the body snugly and perform well without being too big.

MATERIALS The materials used should prevent odour and soreness. The outside layer next to clothing should remain dry as well as the surface next to your skin. These are key features of quality pads.

CHOICE As well as the quality of the pads there should a range to suit variations in your condition. For example, if you need a more absorbent pad at night it’s easier to select another pad from the range you usually use.

The way pads perform also depends on how they are used. Arelle always recommends using STRETCH BRIEFS to hold the pad snugly in place. This will make the pad work better so you may be able to use fewer or smaller pads.

So to provide security you don’t need the most absorbent pads. With advice and quality products you will be able to find the pads that are just right for you. They will work better and may save you money.