My 87 year old wife, suffering for a little over one year with dementia, refuses to use any sort of incontinent panties. She depends on Poise Pads. Prior to the onset of the dementia she was hoarding all sorts of things, that I was not aware of. Among the items she was hoarding were tons of those pads. I have no idea of how many she uses per day, but I have to empty the small trash container I placed in her bathroom for the sole purpose of the pads, three times a week. My question is: what is the best size/absorbency/comfortable pad to use, with what I consider heavy flow. Checking the stock, which is getting low, I noticed that they all have a chart of sorts on the package. All of those I've seen are labeled with a one or two level. When checking where to buy them, I find that this product offers different levels and, I think different sizes, up to a six. How should I evaluate which to buy? Discussing this with my wife would not get an answer, other than that I should just forget it.
You can get some good advice if you visit the websites of Tena and Poise, and both companies offer samples
https://www.tena.us/caregiver/caregiver-advice/levels-of-care
https://www.poise.com/en-us/products/absorbency-guide
Also Tena makes a more ¨stylish¨ version of the Depends type.
Did you notice if the ones that she is currently using have little things that wrap around the underside of her underwear (wings) or just sit in the bottom? They make both kinds and that will help you select the right product further. They do make thin products that absorb more but if you are going for the most absorbent, the original line has a lot of options - so I can imagine it would be confusing. To make things harder - I am guessing retail stores probably do not carry all varieties in store but you can order them online.
You say all of her packages are all labeled as a one or two level - which is not very high - it is just a liner which is meant to just catch little leaks so if the ones that she is wearing now are just level 1 or 2 and you need a little more - you are probably safe going to a level 3. But if you think you need more than that - take a look at the website and see what you think might work for her based on what you are seeing.
Here is the link to the Original product line - https://www.poise.com/en-us/products/incontinence-pads/original
That is probably the most obvious option and then ¨ultimate absorbency¨ in either the long or the regular length is going to be the most absorbent in that product. Think like a diaper for maybe one accident I am thinking and then it would need to be changed.
They also offer overnight products.
If the ones she is using have the little wrap arounds and are really thin - that is more like this product line - https://www.poise.com/en-us/products/incontinence-pads/ultra-thin
That line I think only goes up to ¨maximum" absorbency.
What does all of that mean? https://www.poise.com/en-us/products/absorbency-guide If she is going a lot at one time - you are going to need the highest absorbency. But even still I would think that they are only good for one major accident before needing to be changed. If she is just starting and then going to the bathroom - the lower levels are fine. If she is full on using them to urinate completely the higher levels are going to be what you need.
Hope that helps. Hugs!
I would suggest Overnight pads:
https://www.poise.com/en-us/products/incontinence-pads/original/ultimate-overnight-absorbency