NATIONAL2BASSOCIATION2BFOR2BCONTINENCE2BURINARY2BINCONTINENCE2BEDUCATION 1024x145 1
Donate Now
Search
Donate Now
Subscribe
NATIONAL2BASSOCIATION2BFOR2BCONTINENCE2BURINARY2BINCONTINENCE2BEDUCATION
Search
Donate Now
[give_form id="19690"]

Ask The Doc: How Do I Avoid Leaks When Visiting Loved Ones?

Browse By Topic
Urinary incontinence
Bowel health
Pelvic floor
Caregiving
More +
Search
URINARY INCONTINENCE
BOWEL HEALTH
PELVIC HEALTH
CAREGIVING
MORE+

QUESTION: I SUFFER FROM INCONTINENCE AND WILL BE VISITING MY DAUGHTER FOR 3 WEEKS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. I’M TERRIFIED I’LL HAVE AN ACCIDENT AT HER HOUSE. DO YOU HAVE ANY PRECAUTIONS I CAN TAKE TO AVOID LEAKS AND THE ACCOMPANYING EMBARRASSMENT?

Answer: This is a common concern and is a great topic to discuss around the holidays. There are many things you can do to avoid leaks, as well as a few things you can have at the ready in case a leak does happen at your loved one’s home.

As always, preparation is key and will help give you some peace of mind knowing that you have the proper products in place to prevent leaks. Be sure to bring plenty of supplies with you: absorbent products for day and night, extra changes of clothes (black is a great color choice since it goes with everything and hides leaks well), and extra medication, if you’re on it. After all, when traveling during the winter season, anything is possible, and delayed or canceled flights can leave you unprepared – pack extras so that you have enough to last you for a few extra days just in case. If you have trouble at night, bring your own waterproof pad (or two) to protect the bedding. Don’t forget about any other supplies you may need – skin protectants or cleansers, detergents for doing a load of laundry, disposable plastic bags to hold used or wet products, and an odor-neutralizing spray to hide any unwanted odors.

An extra bag can help you transport and hide your supplies, as well as serve as a place to store used products or clothes that you can dispose of when convenient for you. And if you’re a woman, upgrade your purse to a tote bag that can hold extra supplies you may need when you’re out and about.

Finally, the holidays can be a time of indulgence, so watch what you’re eating and drinking. Skip the coffee and alcohol, limit spicy foods and sweets, and avoid any foods that you know irritate your bladder.

Are you an expert in incontinence care? Would you like to join the NAFC expert panel? Have a question you’d like answered? Contact us!

Comments

One Response

  1. I use large, shaped incontinence pads when on holiday and sleeping in hotel or at someone’s place. They are available at pharmacy or internet. They fit nicely into underwear and are not visible at all. Overnight ones hold so much there is even no point to start rumbling around the house to get to toilet at night

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A blue and white circular badge with the text TRUSTED PARTNER on top, SERVICE EXCELLENCE on the bottom, NAFC 2026 in the center, and white stars on a ribbon-like design on each side.

Click here for more about our Trusted Partners, including special offers on products and services.

pelvic floor power podcast

Related Articles

Two older women smiling and walking together on a sunny neighborhood sidewalk, one holding a coffee cup. Both enjoy the confidence provided by discreet incontinence products for women. Trees and houses line the street in the background.

How Aging Changes Bladder Control — What Most People Don’t Expect

As an RN who’s worked in geriatrics for over 14 years, I know first hand that changes in bladder control can be a common part of aging. However, what I’ve also learned is that the treatment and management of these changes differ depending on whether they are due to aging or other conditions.
If you’re experiencing more frequent trips to the bathroom or sudden, intense urges to urinate, you might be wondering what is going on and what you can do about it. Let’s talk through some of the changes that might be going on in your body and how you can be better prepared to manage your bladder control.

A smiling older woman sits on a bed in a cozy, softly lit bedroom, holding an absorbent product for bladder leaks. A basket with more pads sits nearby, while books, a glass of water, and an alarm clock rest on the bedside table.

Why Your Incontinence Product May Not Be Working Like It Used To

Most people assume that when an incontinence product leaks, the product itself failed. In reality, what often changes first is everything around it. Bladder leakage is not static. The amount of urine, how quickly it’s released, when leaks happen, and even how the body moves during sleep can all shift over time. A product that worked well six months ago may suddenly struggle under conditions it was never designed to handle.
This is especially common with overnight leakage, changes in mobility, medication adjustments, or shifts in bladder control related to aging and health conditions.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that absorbency alone determines performance. In reality, fit, absorption speed, body position, and wear duration all influence whether a product holds up in real-world situations.

Four women of different ages sit closely together outdoors by water and greenery, smiling at the camera. The group appears joyful and relaxed, confidently enjoying the sunny day thanks to absorbent products for bladder leakage in women.

Why So Many Women Put Themselves Last — and Why It Matters

Women are often the caregivers, planners, problem-solvers, and emotional anchors for everyone around them. They manage households, careers, children, aging parents, relationships, schedules, and responsibilities that rarely stop.

And somewhere in the middle of taking care of everyone else, many women quietly stop taking care of themselves.

They ignore symptoms. Delay appointments. Push through exhaustion. Normalize discomfort. Tell themselves they’ll deal with it “later.”

But later can turn into years.

This Women’s Health Month, it’s worth asking:
When was the last time you truly prioritized your own health

Two older women smiling and walking together on a sunny neighborhood sidewalk, one holding a coffee cup. Both enjoy the confidence provided by discreet incontinence products for women. Trees and houses line the street in the background.

How Aging Changes Bladder Control — What Most People Don’t Expect

As an RN who’s worked in geriatrics for over 14 years, I know first hand that changes in bladder control can be a common part of aging. However, what I’ve also learned is that the treatment and management of these changes differ depending on whether they are due to aging or other conditions.
If you’re experiencing more frequent trips to the bathroom or sudden, intense urges to urinate, you might be wondering what is going on and what you can do about it. Let’s talk through some of the changes that might be going on in your body and how you can be better prepared to manage your bladder control.

A middle-aged man with glasses and a checked shirt stands with arms crossed, next to text that reads: Help improve care for men with stress urinary incontinence! on a blue background.
Your voice Matters

Men with stress urinary incontinence are invited to complete a confidential 20-minute survey about daily symptoms, treatment experiences, and quality of life.

Take The Survey