Travelling with Incontinence 2

This is a subject hardly anyone wants to discuss , but considering around 40% of menopausal women have incontinence and around a third of women over 60 years old are incontinent, it is something that needs to be considered when you are travelling with an Elderly Traveller.


When you travel and have urinary incontinence or other bladder control problems, you may need to do extra preparations.
Taking certain precautions and doing some research as you make your travel plans can make a big difference in how well you manage your Elderly Travellers urinary incontinence while away from home. 

AWAY PREPARATION 

Planning ahead 
On Page 1   I listed some hints for buying Incontinence pads overseas.

If its at all possible take the supplies with you, that way your Elderly Traveller will have the product they are used to and the size, thickness and absorbency they are used to and can manage.

 The wonderful thing about incontinence pads is that if you are going on a long trip and you aren't sure if they have your needs at the destination so you want to take the pads with you, think of all the  space in those suitcases you have on the way home. More room for Souvenirs !

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Once we were on a cruise that started off in Vancouver, then to LA, crossed the south pacific islands to Sydney Australia, to then circumnavigate Australia. It was a 58 day trip.
There was no way we could carry the supplies for 58 days , really 60 if you factor in flying etc.
We simply did not have room in our luggage for it.

The ship was calling in not far from where my daughter lives.
So before the trip we bought all the supplies and put them in a lightweight duffle bag. My daughter and her husband met us at the ship and at the end of the day we took the supplies on board.
Not before her husband said to be very careful, if we dropped that bag in the river it would suck up all the water and the ship would be run aground - cheeky!

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Before you go, have your  Elderly Traveller keep a diary over the space of a couple of weeks of their needs with Incontinence pads, how many, what sort etc. Do they use the 'normal' during the day and 'extra ' of a night . How many do they go through on an average day. Do they have overflow accidents while they sleep.

This will all factor into your buying needs.

What ever they say in the diary, add a few !
You have to allow for things like - not knowing where the toilet is, generally being more active, being stuck in a car/coach/train/plane, waiting in line in said coach/train/plane and shopping centres.

Even if you are on a cruise ship there can be a wait for bathrooms at certain times, like just before or after a show starts or an excursion gets back.
On shore excursions and general day out bus trips they do factor in restroom stops but that might be a whole coachload of people lining up for two toilets. So carry extra supplies.

More on this on page 3










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