Incontinence Products - Part 3 - Bedding, Seating, & Surface Protection

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 : Pads, Boosters, & Drip Collectors
Part 2 : Adult Diapers, Briefs, Protective Underwear
Part 4 : Cleansers, Wipes, & Skin Protection

Introduction

While pads, diapers, and other protective underwear tend to be what comes foremost to mind when incontinence products are mentioned, there are a bevy of other helpful items also available. These products tend to focus on protecting commonly used surroundings such as beds, seats, and other surfaces or are meant to combat stains & odors for when other forms are protection have failed.

Products

Bedding Protection

Incontinence during the night is a common problem that can be triggered by a myriad of issues including nocturia (overproduction of urine during the night), diabetes, weak pelvic muscles, side effects from medications, and other health issues. Overnight protection tends to be bulky, offering the most absorptive options due to the volume of urine produced over such an extended amount of time. Having to deal with the laundering of effected sheets, covers, and other bed related paraphernalia is another issue that must be taken into consideration. Non-apparel protection available for bedding includes...

• Vinyl Covers
  • This option tends to be the least expensive as vinyl covers can last a long while before needing replacement and are the easiest to clean with accidents often only requiring a damp cloth to wipe away instead of laundering of the entire cover.
  • These type of covers lock out moisture and come in fitted & zippers varieties with the latter option also offering protection against other bedding problems such as bed bugs, dust mites, and other allergens. Standard vinyl covers come in 3-gauge thickness for normal everyday needs while the more expensive 6-gauge vinyl can provide industrial or heavy-duty protection.
  • Vinyl covers may include other extra features such as being specially treated to retard the growth of mildew & mold.
  • Drawbacks for this style of covering include them not being breathable, thus trapping the user's body heat & otherwise being uncomfortable to lay upon. Vinyl also emits a  petroleum gas that some may be allergic to.
  • Dry Defendor | Bargoose [1, 2] | Protective Bedding (Custom) | InvaCare | Gary | Medline | Drive Medical | Essential Medical
    

• Breathable Covers
  • Breathable covers are softer and allow for air circulation, and thus are generally agreed to be more comfortable than their vinyl counterparts. They are made of materials such as lightweight terry cloth fused to a waterproof backing such as polyurethane. Polyurethane does not reflect body heat and therefore is cooler to sleep on than vinyl. Like vinyl covers, they come in fitted and zippered variations with the latter providing more additional protection against other allergens.
  • Light: Conni | SafeRest | Luna | Lucid | LinenSpa | Tru Lite Bedding | UltraBlock
    
  • Heavy Duty: Dry Defendor | Gotcha Covered | Protect-a-Bed | Naturepedic | Bargoose |  InvaCare
    

• Mattress Pads & Protectors
  • Unlike normal underpads, these are explicitly fitted for mattresses and tend to have thicker levels of padding for protection. These types of protectors tend to have 3 - 4 layers comprised of a top absorbent layer, a moisture proof barrier layer (typically polyurethane or vinyl), and a bottom layer flush against the bed. More expensive versions also include a fourth top layer for added softness and a more pleasing appearance.
  • Other optional special features include an anti-bacterial finish which can help protect the fabric against bacterial degradation that leads to further  odors and stains.
  • This is the most comfortable bedding option to lie on, but is also bulky and cumbersome to wash & clean compared to the other options.
  • Dry Defendor | Beautyrest | Bargoose | CareActive | Priva[1, 2] | | Naturepedic | Conni | LiquaGuard
    

Underpads/Overlays

• These more versatile waterproof pads are for use containing small to medium accidents with beds, seats, as well as other furniture & surfaces. They are comprised of a fabric fused to a waterproof layer that protects the surfaces below it from moisture. Pads & overlays come in various sizes with some also having side flaps that can be tucked down between the mattress or seat to hold the pad in place.
• Pads come in reusable and disposable varieties, are easy to clean or replace and may include special features such as advanced breathability, odor elimination, antimicrobial bacterial control, pH neutralization. Reusable versions can usually be machine washed & dried for easier maintenance.
• Disposable: Cardinal Health | Dry Defendor | Tranquility | Dignity | McKesson | Wellness | Presto | Covidien | Medline |  Prevail | Attends | Tena | Depend
• Reusable: Dry Defendor | Priva | Yoofuss | Conni | Tru Lite Bedding | Salk | Wearever [1, 2, 3] | Essential Medical | Dignity | Bargoose | Medline | Nova | Beck's Classic | Inspire
  

Seat Protectors

• Unlike normal underpads, these waterproof pads have been specifically sized to fit on various seats (wheelchairs, regular chairs, car seats etc) rather than other surfaces. They tend to have thicker padding than normal underpads with fancier surface patterning as this type of protector will be more commonly seen in public than other variations.
• Most varieties tend to be washable & reusable, rather than disposable. There are also general waterproof protectors meant to cover the entire area of a sofa or seat. These types tend to double as pet & allergen protectors as well.
• Reusable: CareActive | Conni | Mabis | Priva Americare | Inspire | Royal Medical Solutions | Salk | Essential Medical | LiquaGuard
• General: North Sure | Sure Fit
• Disposable: Depend
  

Odor Eliminator / Stain Remover

• These combination odor eliminators & stain removers have been specifically designed to destroy uric acid crystals, thus neutralizing the source of  the instead of masking its presence like other general odor removers. The particular varieties recommended below use microbes or enzymes rather than synthetic removers.
• OdorZyme | Urine-Erase | DP Stain Remover