Handy Tips To Make Travelling With Incontinence Easier

By Author: Harleen Kaur
Total Articles: 89
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Incontinence is a common issue affecting hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. It is a tough health issue that impacts all aspects of your life and therefore requires not only the right tools like diapers for old age to manage this condition but also care, understanding and support from your family and friends, and even from you towards yourself.
Elderly diapers greatly help you in managing incontinence, both urinary and bowel, and living a peaceful life with confidence and dignity. However, sometimes, some situations like that when you need to travel somewhere or have to spend a night out of your home, can still agitate you and raise doubts. You may even cancel your travel plans because of the same. In such a scenario you must remember that no matter how hard the situation gets, incontinence is still a problem that can be dealt with easily. All you need is the right tools, acceptance, patience and a little preparation.
So, if you too have been putting off your travel plans lately fearing incontinence, then this article is for you. We are giving you some very useful tips to make your travel so much ...
... easier and more relaxing even with incontinence. So, let’s begin.

Some General Tips for Travelling when You Have Incontinence

Before you embark on your journey, it is best that you inform your airline or the travel agency before you book your tickets or make any reservations.
Think about what you would need to carry, including any medicines and certain products like adult diapers, wet wipes etc. which you may require for managing your condition. You may also need to retrieve a letter from your physician approving them which you may need to clear them through the security.
If you are worried about exposing your incontinence products during luggage checks or body searches, you must contact your transport operator before you set out for the trip.
Ask your operator if you can board your flight early so that you may have enough time to settle in and arrange everything that you may need during the flight, for easy access.
Also, contact the airline and enquire if there are any luggage restrictions on diapers for old age or if they are exempted too like some other equipment like a wheelchair. Also, remember that you would have lesser luggage to bring back home since you would have used up most of your products.

Tips Regarding Disposable Diapers for Old Age

Buy all of the products that you may need for incontinence management during your travel, much ahead of the date you need to travel. This will ensure that you obtain all of the products without fail, pack them well, and even if you forget anything, have enough time to get them in time.
Adult diapers tend to take up a lot of space. Consider getting extra absorbent diapers or smaller incontinence pads so that you have to carry a lesser number of the products.
Consider buying products such as a sheath to absorb incontinent fluid in men. You can also get a booster pad which can be used inside your usual diaper that can greatly increase its absorbency and thus is perfect for use during long journeys.
You can make use of vacuum packing bags to pack all the diapers or pads as they effectively reduce the amount of space such products require.
If you can manage using a cloth adult diaper that can be washed and reused, pick that for your travel as it will take up lesser space than multiple disposable diapers.
If your product supplier also serves in the area that you are travelling to then it is better to order a pack of your usual diapers and send it directly to your destination. Inform your hotel about your package’s arrival. Doing this serves two purposes; one, you may not be able to find your usual brand or size of elderly diapers in the area you would be staying or may not be able to go to shop immediately and two, it will save you from carrying unnecessarily heavy luggage.
Even after following the above-mentioned tip, you must still carry enough diapers that you may require for the entire journey and the first couple of days when you arrive at your destination. This is a contingency plan in case your flight gets delayed or your package doesn’t arrive on time.
You must also make sure to not pack all of the diapers for old age in a single luggage but distribute them among different bags and also carry some in your handbag or carryall. This will ensure that you still have enough products even if your luggage gets delayed or lost.
Make sure you carry the best adult diapers that suit you perfectly, in terms of both size, material, comfort and protection against leakage as you would be wearing them for a long time during the flight. However, if you are still worried about leakage you can get a chair protector for use during the flight.
You must also take into consideration the climate of the place where you are going. This is because it can affect your pads or diapers too; for example, the absorbency of pads can be affected due to dampness or humidity and heat can affect the adhesive tapes of sheaths.

Tips on Using Toilets

Try booking an aisle seat that’s near the toilet.
Choose firmly fitting underwear and use a pad if you do not use an adult diaper.
Keep a small pouch or bag with a change of pads, underwear and wet wipes handy and take it to the toilet when needed.
Visit the toilet right before your plane may be about to descend as some are more likely to leak due to it.
Also, use a toilet before you land if you are not sure what the toilet facilities would be like at the airport.

Tips on Clothing

Choose clothes that are comfortable and easy to manoeuvre when using a toilet or changing. Pants with elasticated waists or drop-front trousers work best.
Choose dark-coloured clothes as they can hide leaks and stains.
Carry a change of clothes and a plastic bag in your hand luggage in case of leaks.

Tips on Fluid Intake

Do not avoid drinking water. Ensure you drink enough water to stay hydrated, safeguard yourself against urinary tract infections and keep your urine diluted to prevent irritation of the bladder lining and risk of wetting.
Avoid having tea, coffee, alcohol or hot chocolate as they can stimulate urine production.
Avoid sodas as they can lead to the irritation of the bladder lining.

Tips on Bowel Incontinence

Stick to your usual diet to avoid bloating, discomfort or nausea. Your body clock and digestion can get upset due to travelling, especially while crossing time zones.
Keep moving, especially during long flights to aid digestion and improve circulation.
Discuss with your doctor if a suppository or enema sometime before you board your flight would be a good option for you to avoid faecal incontinence while travelling.

Final Word

Urinary or bowel incontinence is quite common and should not become a hindrance in your plans to travel. If you wish to travel, you only need to follow these simple tips. With the aid of the best adult diapers and a little preparation, you too can travel with ease.