Frequently asked questions

Every time you eat or drink, your body absorbs liquids. It’s the job of your kidneys to filter waste products from these fluids and make urine. A continuous trickle passes from the kidneys to the bladder, which slowly expands. When the bladder is full, a signal goes to the brain indicating the need to use the toilet. Once you’re on the toilet or at a urinal, the brain tells the large bladder muscle to squeeze and contract. At the same time it tells the support muscles (or pelvic floor muscles) that surround the urethra (the outlet from the bladder) to relax and let the urine pass.

It really depends on things like your age, diet, general physical condition and if you currently take any medication. The rough average is four to eight times during the day, with the occasional need to go in the night.

No. Drinking less fluid will make their urine more concentrated, which will in turn irritate their bladder. Then they’ll need to urinate more often. You should encourage them to try and drink their usual amount of fluid or whenever they feel thirsty. However, they shouldn’t drink excessive amounts either, as this is unhealthy and could make them ill.

If your loved one is unwilling to cooperate, they might simply be asserting their self to gain some more control in an uncontrollable situation. That’s quite normal. What to do? Listen to their complaints and comments calmly and caringly. Then talk, explaining your point of view. Try to learn and find new approaches and solutions that work for both of you. If she/he won’t accept a good solution, don‘t be afraid to contact professionals or other caregivers to help you.

Yes, you can. Financial providers treat every caregiving situation individually. They’ll assess your situation, and consider any other health issues your loved one might have. The following are the most common sources of support:

• Private insurance
• State programs
• Community-based programs

This depends on the physical and mental condition of the person you’re caring for. The right product can make a big difference to her/his comfort, and reduce the number of changes needed. We’ve a full range of products designed for different types of incontinence care. To find one that suits your loved one’s needs, use our Product Selector.

Please put used TENA products in a waste bin. They are not designed to be flushed away. To make changing and disposal more convenient, we recommend keeping a lidded bin in your bathroom or bedroom.

You can find TENA products in supermarkets and pharmacies. Supermarkets usually sell a smaller TENA range, with pharmacies offering a wider one. If a pharmacy doesn’t stock a particular TENA product, they can usually order it for you from the wholesaler. Please look in either the Products or Shop TENA section of this website. You can also order our products online at TENA online store.

A good place to start is here, on the TENA website. Have a look around. We’ve gathered lots of information from healthcare professionals and other caregivers who look after a relative or friend at home.

We’ve always felt it important to offer safe, skin friendly products. We achieve this by carefully selecting, assessing and approving all our raw materials. In fact it’s so important to us at TENA that we employ dedicated specialists with years of experience in skin health and toxicology. We can also draw on the added expertise of multi-national bodies such as the University of Gothenburg and University College London. We then work closely with our suppliers to ensure the highest standards of quality in all materials and merchandise. So you can trust that TENA products are safe to use, as well as of the highest quality. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Any type of indwelling catheter can cause irritation to the inside of the bladder, resulting in the leakage of urine around the catheter.

As your aunt had a tube via the bladder outlet (urethra) this may have caused problems with the closure mechanism of the bladder. This can lead to constant leakage, despite having the tube through her tummy (suprapubic).

Indwelling catheters also cause infections of the urine which can cause irritation and leakage.

We would suggest that the catheter be removed and her incontinence managed with pads for the moment. This will allow her bladder to settle down and she can be reassessed by her specialist.

Urinary tract infections are common amongst the elderly mainly due to lack of mobility and a poor fluid intake. These infections can increase confusion and it would be worth discussing with your mother's GP the advisability of sending a urine sample to the laboratory to ensure she is being given the necessary and appropriate antibiotics. You should try and encourage her to drink more, especially water.

As far as hygiene is concerned, some wipes you can buy have alcohol in them and this can irritate on already fragile skin. Unperfumed soap and water is the best once any excess faeces has been removed with tissue or a disposable cloth.

You should always deal with the vaginal area and bowel separately when cleaning to avoid transfer of bacteria. Wash the vaginal area from front to back and never apply talcum powder or unprescribed creams.

TENA has a range of support products, which include wipes, washes and barrier creams. Visit the Product Range to find out more.

For further help, call:

• the TENA helpline on 1-800 88 9988
• or the CFM helpline on 1700-81-4321

The CFM Helpline is a free telephone advisory service. This service is available to anyone residing within Malaysia, and may be accessed from Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 6.00pm.