Our Survey Shows Incontinence Provokes Less Embarrassment But Many Needs Still Aren't Being Met

Those two dramatically different statements illustrate the range of responses to questions about incontinence. For the first time in our five-year history, Parentiving.com conducted an opinion survey on the troubling condition reaching out to nearly 5,000 people who use self-care products in this category. The focus was to learn how you cope with incontinence and if a greater awareness about it as a medical issue has erased its stigma and prompted more people to talk to their doctors about treatment. We also asked you to share both your frustrations and your strategies for maintaining quality of life.

Results show that while progress is being made, there is still distress and frustration. Slightly over 70% have talked to their healthcare provider about incontinence—many of them are taking or have tried medications, and a few have had surgical procedures. For nearly 25%, incontinence is a known part of an ongoing medical problem, from MS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease to prostate surgery for men and uterine prolapse for women.

Twenty five percent are taking or have taken medications, but less than half report that the meds help. Some can't take incontinence drugs because they'd interfere with medications prescribed for other conditions or because they just can't afford them.

Other medical conditions and costs were among the reasons some people declined to have surgery to correct incontinence. Others chose not to have it because the results were too iffy or because they felt they were too old. One respondent already had two surgeries, neither of which helped, yet three others found their surgery successful—procedures involved a sling or implanted stimulator. At the other extreme, a few respondents reported that their doctors didn't bother to suggest any treatment or minimized the condition.

A few did find help with a non-invasive approach: "My doctor sent me to a 6-week continence program with a local therapist. It's very hard to do the exercises consistently, but if I don't then the problem gets worse."

The discouraging finding is that nearly 30% of respondents have still not sought medical attention. Reasons are varied. A few people still feel embarrassed about bringing it up, even to an experienced medical doctor. One respondent wrote, "Too embarrassing to discuss, especially since I don't think there's anything she can do about it. Also, if there's a pill for it, I already take so many pills I rattle when I walk."

Others just assume it's just a normal part of old age (it's not!) or don't know that there are treatments that might help. Some feel that their more life-threatening medical issues, from diabetes to stroke recovery, take precedence when they're at the doctor's office. For a few, the possibility of yet another medication to add to their existing regimen is financially out of the question, so they just don't bother to bring up incontinence. But one person offered this advice to anyone still hesitating about asking for medical care: "If you don't feel comfortable talking to your doctor, please find another doctor."

How Incontinence Products Factor Into Self-Care

Survey results offered insights into what concerns you most and how you manage incontinence:

* Fear of accidents is the top concern.
Two-thirds of respondents ranked this as their number one worry. The lack of product selection came in second at 21%. People want more product choices, which will, in turn, help them feel more secure about avoiding accidents.

* Online is the way people want to buy products.
Nearly 46% buy products online where you can get the widest selection and have anonymity.

* Absorbency is the key feature in choosing products.
An overwhelming 81% ranked this first. Information on a product's absorbency should be front and center on product descriptions, say the respondents. Comfort ranked second and the ability to buy a product online ranked a strong third at 36%, above both cost and anatomical design of items.

* Many people are satisfied with their incontinence products.
In fact, 40% are very satisfied. However 44% are only somewhat satisfied—there's room for better education about products to help people find those that are more effective and the respondents had numerous suggestions for incontinence product manufacturers to improve styles.

What You'd Like to See From Manufacturers

You're very vocal about what's needed from manufacturers and your hope for improved products. Here's what's on your wishlist:

• More absorbency, less bulk, lighter weight
• Products specifically for bed-ridden patients
• Nighttime products for side sleepers
• More adhesive on the back of diaper liners
• More form-fitting products that won't be so noticeable under clothes
• A pull-up that can detect a UTI
• Disposable swim diapers for adults
• A diaper and extra pad in one
• More size "choices" not just for overweight needs, but also to better adjust smaller sizes
• A pull-up diaper that comes up to the waist, not a hip-hugger (overweight folks' problem)
• A more dramatic color change when wet
• Easier to put on when you are elderly and challenged
• Improved adjustability and repositioning capability
• A super-thin and super-absorbent material for pads and pull-ups

Complete Survey Results

	Most				Least
Fear of accidents	67.01%	11.68%	5.08%	6.60%	9.64%
Shopping in person for products	6.09%	9.14%	18.27%	19.29%	47.21%
Stigma about the condition	12.18%	17.26%	22.84%	19.29%	28.43%
Lack of product selection	21.32%	20.81%	19.29%	16.75%	21.83%
Fear of others finding out	11.68%	16.24%	19.80%	19.29%	32.99%

No	46.19%
Yes	38.58%
Yes but only if they have incontinence	15.23%

No	29.44%
Yes	70.56%

Online	46.05%
Grocery Store	16.35%
Drugstore	25.89%
Other	11.72%

	Most				Least
Cost	27.41%	23.35%	33.50%	8.63%	7.11%
Absorbency	81.22%	11.68%	2.54%	1.52%	3.05%
Brand	12.18%	9.14%	27.92%	14.72%	36.04%
Anatomical design	32.99%	28.43%	22.84%	8.63%	7.11%
Comfort	59.90%	24.37%	11.17%	2.54%	2.03%
Ability to buy online	36.55%	18.78%	19.29%	8.63%	16.75%
Automatic online reorder	13.20%	9.14%	16.75%	12.69%	48.22%

Tab	22.07%
Pull-ups	45.86%
Belted	2.07%
Pads	30.00%

Very - Having the right products keeps it from impacting your day-to-day living	39.59%
Somewhat satisfied - At times you worry about leaks and bulky products	43.65%
Not satisfied - You're still searching for effective products and/or medical treatment	11.68%
Discouraged - Your daily life is severely impacted	5.08%

Self	32.14%
Caregiver	67.86%

Male	37.06%
Female	62.94%

Under 50	9.64%
50 to 59	8.12%
60 to 69	13.20%
70 to 79	18.27%
80 or older	50.76%

Own home	63.96%
With a relative or friend	20.81%
In assisted Living	9.64%
In a nursing home	2.03%
Other	3.55%

Best Practices for Incontinence To learn about our survey respondents— best tips, go to our companion article, "Survey Says: 50 Top Strategies for Managing Incontinence."