Having a plan for managing incontinence at home can help reduce stress and uncertainty. Whether you have temporary or chronic incontinence, knowing how to manage it can make your life a lot easier.

By making lifestyle changes, practicing good hygiene, and using the right products, you can regain your confidence and stay comfortable at home.

Here are some of our top tips for managing incontinence at home...

Acceptance of incontinence

It’s important to understand incontinence and accept it as part of your life. Knowing that you’re not alone and that it can be managed will help you feel better mentally and emotionally.

This acceptance will make it easier to seek help, make necessary changes, and implement effective strategies without feeling embarrassed.

Establish a toileting schedule

Creating a structured toilet routine can help manage incontinence more effectively.
Take or encourage regular trips to the bathroom, preferably every two to four hours, and before activities that could trigger accidents, such as meals or exercise.

Setting a schedule helps regulate bladder function and reduces the risk of unexpected accidents.

Changes to your diet & lifestyle

You might think that drinking less water will help you avoid accidents, but that’s not actually true. It’s important to stay hydrated.

Drinking enough water can help prevent UTIs and constipation, which can make incontinence worse. However, it’s also important to avoid drinking too much water, especially before bed.

Some foods and drinks can irritate your bladder, like caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners. You can try eating bladder-friendly foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Try pelvic floor exercises

Regular pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can strengthen the muscles that support bladder control.

These exercises involve contracting and releasing the pelvic floor muscles, which helps improve bladder control and reduce leakage. It’s recommended to perform these exercises multiple times throughout the day.

We recommend that you speak to a pelvic physiotherapist to find out which pelvic floor exercises are best suited to your level of incontinence.

We also have a pelvic floor video series that you can watch and try at home.

Maintain personal hygiene

Maintaining good personal hygiene is essential for preventing skin irritations and infections associated with incontinence, such as Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD).

Make sure you’re regularly and thoroughly cleaning the genital area with mild soap and water.

Pat the area dry gently, and consider using a moisture barrier cream to protect the skin from irritation.

Wear absorbent, reliable products

There are many different products available to help manage incontinence. Choose the right product for your needs. A good-fitting product will help prevent leaks and make you feel more confident.

Here at Invizi, we can help you find your fit. You can take our simple but comprehensive Invizi Fit Quiz. This self-led questionnaire asks you a short series of questions and then suggests products that suit the information you provide us. It’s that easy!

If you find you need extra support or have any questions, we also have a wonderful customer support team who can also recommend products based on your level of incontinence.

We take the guesswork out of choosing incontinence products and help you live more confidently!

Take bathroom safety precautions

Making some changes to your bathroom can make it safer and more convenient if you have incontinence. And especially so if you experience mobility challenges.

Consider adding grab bars near the toilet, using non-slip mats, and making sure the bathroom is well-lit. If you have a carer, make sure they don’t rush you.

Playing some music in the bathroom can also help you relax.

Dispose of used products properly

Incontinence can sometimes cause unpleasant odours. Don't worry, there are ways to manage this.

You can use air fresheners or odour-neutralising sprays to keep your home smelling fresh.

It's also important to dispose of used products properly. If there's any faecal matter in your pull-up or slip, flush it down the toilet before disposing of the product.

You can roll up the product to help contain the odour. You can also place soiled products in a heavy-duty, opaque disposal bag before putting it in the bin.

This will help keep odours contained. Be sure to empty your bin regularly.

Our Invizi pads, guards, slips and pants - and our Nundies Youth Pants - all have a special odour-busting technology that helps neutralise odours for up to 12 hours!

Seek ongoing support and care

Always see a healthcare professional, like a urologist, continence nurse, or physiotherapist, for a checkup and personalised plan.

They can give you advice, prescribe medicine if needed, and recommend special treatments, like bladder training or electrical stimulation therapy.

Living with incontinence can be tough at times.

Talk to friends, family, or a support group for help and encouragement. Emotional support can help you feel better and manage incontinence at home.