Did you know that more than half of people over the age of 65 have to purchase incontinence products as a result of urinary incontinence? While incontinence is common, it can be easy to let yourself start to withdraw from your regular fun activities and hobbies. However, whether you have occasional leakage or a complete loss of bladder control, you can still travel and visit your loved ones. We have a few tips for how to make traveling with urinary incontinence products much easier!
Tips for How to Travel with Urinary Incontinence Products
1. Find Nearby Restrooms Along the Way & At Your Destination
Your first step toward making successful travel plans should begin with proper preparation. Where will you be traveling? Will you be getting there by a road trip in your car or by bus, or do you plan to book a flight?
If you travel by plane, you should have easy restroom access at all airports as well as a restroom option aboard your flight. Consider booking an aisle seat if you know you’ll have to get up and down to use the restroom frequently.
If you plan to travel by car, you can stay ahead of the game by mapping out your route in advance and marking any rest stops along the way. Yes, it may take a bit longer to reach a destination if you have to make frequent stops, but you can simply account for that extra time in your itinerary. Plus, it can be fun to stop at new places along the way during your road trip. Reframe your travel stops in a positive way by visiting unique roadside tourist attractions, taking pictures, and making new memories.
Helpful Bathroom Finding Smartphone Apps
In addition, you can download a few handy apps on your smartphone to help you locate the nearest accessible restrooms.
A popular option is Bathroom Scout, which helps you find public toilets as well as private options in restaurants and other facilities. Plus it offers a handy street view for when you’re traveling in an unfamiliar place.
2. Pack Enough Incontinence Supplies for Your Trip
The second step to take is to start making a list of all the things you need to pack. Be sure to write down any and all incontinence products you regularly use, such as adult diapers, disposable underwear, and pads as well as skincare products like wipes to reduce skin irritation from urine or bowel leakage. Calculate how many times a day you typically use or change out those products. We’d suggest erring on the side of a worst-case scenario so you’ll always have extras on hand rather than a situation where you underestimate your needs and run out.
Next, calculate the daily number of incontinence supplies by the number of days you plan to be away from home. Include all possibilities, including the possibility of delayed flights, road traffic, or a change of plans. You don’t want to run out of supplies or have to make an embarrassing trip to a nearby store for unfamiliar incontinence products that might not work for you or be in the size you need.
We suggest making sure you pack extra changes of underwear and clothes as an additional precaution. Sometimes, just knowing you have a backup on hand can alleviate some of the common anxieties that come with traveling with urinary incontinence.
While you’re traveling, you may want to avoid beverages that can irritate your bladder and act as a diuretic. For example, caffeine is a common bladder irritant that can make your system flush out extra water. Alcohol, chocolate, coffee, tea, and caffeinated sodas are all potential culprits you may prefer to avoid. However, you don’t want to limit your intake of liquids just to avoid potential accidents. You don’t want to get dehydrated. Water is the most bladder-friendly way to stay hydrated and healthy. Talk to your doctor about how much water you should drink daily. Lastly, make sure you have the proper supplies for your specific needs when you travel with urinary incontinence. For instance, if you have minimal urinary leakage, you may only need thin liners or absorbent incontinence pads. If you have moderate to severe urinary incontinence, disposable briefs or protective pull-on underwear might be a better option. 180 Medical’s Incontinence Specialists will respectfully and compassionately listen to your concerns and answer any questions you may have. Together, we’ll come up with a customized order of incontinence supplies that’s just right for you! With the right products on hand, you’ll be traveling with urinary incontinence in no time! Contact us today.
4. Get the Right Incontinence Products for Your Needs
