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Toileting in Bed; Incontinence Protection

Managing the toilet needs of someone who is immobile is a challenge which has led to various solutions

– either physically transferring the person to the bathroom, using a hoist or commode chair; providing a bedpan or hand-held urinal at need; using incontinence protection, such as adult nappies and bed pads.

All have their place, but if used inappropriately can lead to considerable upset and loss of dignity for the person concerned.
 

Bedridden and continent

Novamed's Solaticare automatic toileting for bedridden patientsA person who is confined to bed through illness or disability, but has control of their bladder and bowel movements should not be left with incontinence protection to manage their toilet needs.

Apart from the traditional bedpan, which has been around for more than a century, there is a new alternative which enables more dignified and hygienic toileting. The Solaticare system has a suction head which rises through the mattress to its working position, in very close contact with the body. As elimination starts, sensors within the suction head automatically remove the waste into a hermetically sealed unit which is located at the bedside. When the user has finished, they are rinsed with warm water, and then their skin is dried with warm air. The suction head returns beneath the mattress, and the mattress infill returns to give a comfortable feel to the bed.
 

bed with Fibrefresh washable incontinence pad

Incontinence protection for those without continence control

As well as protecting mattresses and upholstery from the consequences of incontinence, it is important that any incontinence pads and sheets also maintain the comfort and dignity of the user. For example, a rubber sheet may be effective at preventing urine from soaking into a mattress, but it is unpleasant to lie on, causing sweating and overheating.

Good quality bedding protectors absorb spills, while providing a comfortable surface for the bed’s occupant. The range available includes duvet and pillow protectors as well as shields for the mattress. Non-slip backing will help the pad stay in position.

Washable pads can be more discreet than disposables, although the upfront cost is greater, and laundering is a consideration. Disposable pads save labour, but you need to consider both storage and hygienic disposal.

 

adult diaperAll-in-one briefs, sometimes referred to as adult diapers or adult nappies, are the easiest incontinence protection to change on inactive people or those confined to a bed.

Disposable all-in-ones offer very high levels of absorbency, with a stay-dry layer next to the skin, to help keep the user dry and comfortable.

A discreet and comfortable washable bedwetting or enuresis alarm is a useful alert for carers.
 
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29 Replies to “Toileting in Bed; Incontinence Protection”

    Sargis Anvia says:

    Hi, do you have an office in US. How much this will cost.

    Bill says:

    Can this system be used on a Hill Rom Hospital Bed ? Want to purchase

    Frances says:

    Hello Bill
    The Solaticare system can be used with a profiling bed. To get more details, you can contact Novamed directly by email info@novamedeurope.com
    Best wishes, Frances

    Shuaib Hassan says:

    Solaticare toileting’
    I would like to know who is the supplier in Canada.

    Frances says:

    Hello Shuaib
    The best way to find this information is to contact the distributor, Novamed. You can email them on info@novamedeurope.com
    Best wishes, Frances

    Miodrag Blagojevic says:

    How much does it cost?

    Liane says:

    Hi Miodrag Blagojevic,

    The best way to get more information about toileting in bed is to get in contact directly with the suppliers listed in the righthand sidebar (Novamed Solaticare, Able2, Win Health, Easylink UK). I am sure they will be pleased to help you out.

    Best wishes,
    Liane

    Sheila says:

    Thank you! I found the information most helpful in terms of what is generically available. If you’re referring people to manufacturers for more info though, may I suggest you consider including the email addresses at the end of the article to avoid a raft of “what does it cost” questions. Also, I’m staggered by some people’s rudeness towards those only trying to help. Harvesting details? If I was going to scam someone for their details, I don’t think giving details on poop-suckers has the broadest reach! I admire your tact and diplomacy – honestly. I’m starting to research now for my elderly parents. I think your site will be a valuable source. A heartfelt thank you from me.

    Frances says:

    Hello Sheila
    Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and make a helpful suggestion. Having just cast an eye over the comments, I see your point about the number of questions on the price of the Solaticare system! As there is just the one supplier for this, I have done as you suggest and added their email address to the article.
    Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any specific questions – enquiries@independentliving.co.uk – and you might like to sign up for my free weekly newsletter: it’s a handy way of keeping up-to-date with what’s going on at Independent Living: https://www.independentliving.co.uk/subscribe-to-our-free-news-roundup/
    Best wishes,
    Frances

    Umaiya Anjum says:

    How much is this cost

    Frances says:

    Hello
    If you would like to find out more about the Solaticare system, it is best to contact the supplier directly. Their email is info@novamedeurope.com
    Best wishes,
    Frances

    julian says:

    How much does it cost?

    Liane says:

    Hi Julian,

    The best way to get a quote on the Solaticare system is by contacting the suppliers, Novamed.

    You can contact them directly by email info@novamedeurope.com

    I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to come back to me if you have any other questions.

    Best wishes,
    Liane

    Gutti Ratna Kumar says:

    Thanks for showing this type of gadgets necessary for Bedridden patients so as to get confidence for such patients, for survival with a feeling of total depenent on, Others as overburdened

    Jacob says:

    How much does this unit cost?

    Thank you.

    Frances says:

    Hello Jacob
    The best way to get more information about the Solaticare system is by contacting the suppliers, Novamed.
    You can contact them by email info@novamedeurope.com
    I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to come back to me if there is anything else you would like to ask.
    Best wishes,
    Frances

    Cindy Y Henley says:

    To cost I would like to know how much it cost to

    Liane says:

    Hi Cindy

    To get a quote on how much this cost, please contact the suppliers directly via email – info@novamedeurope.com

    Best wishes,

    Liane

    Eric says:

    How much does it cost?

    Liane says:

    Hi Eric,

    The best way to get a quote on how much this cost is to contact the suppliers directly via email – info@novamedeurope.com

    Best wishes,

    Liane

    Judy Levering says:

    I like this system. Im going to inform a lady who deficates in her bed about it it is truely dignified.

    Deborah Honaker-Ross says:

    Is this system available in the US? I cannot tell how the part that fits on the peri area and buttocks? What is it made of and is it uncomfortable??? When their has been a large Bowel movement….how much does this system get and clean? My sister is totally bedridden and we have to turn her to clean her and change the diaper. She is dead weight…..which is very strenuous on my mother who is 83 years old and myself who is 54 years old.
    How much is this system??

    Frances says:

    Hello Deborah

    You will be able to get the answers to all your questions directly from the suppliers – they are very helpful! You can contact them by email info@novamedeurope.com

    Best wishes,

    Frances

    Merisha says:

    Good day

    Will you be able to assist as I require this machine I am in South Africa is this available in this country?

    Frances says:

    Hello Merisha

    The best way to find out about this is to contact the suppliers directly. I think they should be able to help you!

    The company is Novamed, and their email address is info@novamedeurope.com

    Best wishes, Frances

    Peter says:

    It’s not fair to use a need for information as a way to extract email addresses from interested people, particularly for simple things like which countries it’s available in. If we wanted that sort of interaction, we could go back to postal mail. Remember those “bingo” cards where you’d circle the numbers of products of interest and then the vendor would chop down a tree, turn it into glossy brochures, and use a whack of energy to get them to you. That’s all the good stuff we get to avoid by using WWW but we could always go back and make CO2 reduction harder.

    Peter, Toronto Canada

    Frances says:

    Hi Peter
    Sadly, unless the people that supply products have a way to get in touch with you, they can’t give you information. As a free information website run by a very small team, we don’t have the resources to make enquiries on your behalf and post the results here.
    Although you provided a fake email address with your comment, it was entirely unnecessary – nobody except Independent Living site admin has access to it, and we don’t use it for anything except communicating about your comment, if necessary.
    Best wishes,
    Frances

    HERVE says:

    vous pouvez aussi utilise E-PANTS le système Français distribué par MMS-Care

    Frances says:

    Bonjour Hervé – si vous voulez montrer les avantages du système E-Pants sur ce site, veuillez me contacter par email – editor@independentliving.co.uk
    Cordialement, Frances

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