How long will my T.E.D. stockings last?

The quality of Kendall's T.E.D. anti embolism stockings is second to none. However, to get the most out of these superior stockings you need to take care of them. We have specific laundering instructions in the product page for Ted hose that will help you. If you follow these instuctions you can generally get 4 to 6 months wear. Personally, I recommend that you purchase new stockings every 4 months. The elastic in the stockings will start to deteriorate in time and may not give the correct compression. We are in the process of adding a repeat delivery plan form to the web site that can be filled out online. Until then, you can always call us at 1 888 744 7347 to set this plan up. Just tell us how often you would like to receive your stockings or other products and we will send them to you automatically. Not to mention you get a 10% discount. Check out our stockings at www.dhphomedelivery.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_h.asp?idCategory=5.

Adult Brief Fitting Instructions

We get questioned from time to time on how to fit our Kendall adult briefs. The following are specific instructions that will help answer this question.

When Standing-
1. Open the Kendall brief and fold at the crothch with the elastic gathers inside out. Put the brief between the legs with the soft lining against the body and the tape tabs in back.
2. Position the brief on the body with the back slightly higher than the front (if you're unassisted, have the patient lean against the wall or another surface to hold back in place). Bring the front of the brief between the legs and stretch the gathers to fit snugly in the leg creases.
3. Wrap the back of the brief over the front and fasten the bottom tapes slightly upward. Then fasten top tapes slightly downward. Make sure the elastic gathers are seated in the leg creases and all plastic is away from the skin. Adjust tapes as needed for proper fit.

When seated in a chair-
1. Place the Kendall brief on the chair with the back panel open and tapes in the back. (It will resemble a "T" shape.)
2. Sit the patient on the brief. Bring the front of the brief up betweeen the legs, stretching the elastic gathers to fit snugly in the leg creases.
3. Wrap the back of the brief over the front and fasten bottom tapes slightly upward. Then fasten top tapes slightly downward. Make sure the elastic gathers are seated in the leg creases and all plastic is away from the skin. Adjust tapes as needed for proper fit.

When lying down-
1. Roll the patient onto side. Open and place the Kendall brief on the bed with the soft lining up and tapes at the back of the body.
2. Gently roll the patient onto the brief. Fold crotch section inside out to keep elastic gathers outside of the brief.
3. Bring the front panel of the brief up between the legs. Wrap the back of the brief over front and fasten bottom slightly upward. Then fasten top tapes slightly downward. Make sure the elastic gathers are seated in the leg creases and all plastic is away from the skin. Adjust the tapes for proper fit.

I hope this helps. If you have questions on what type of Kendall brief to use you can visit our online store and select incontinence or give us a call at 1 888 744 7347.

Absorption capacity for incontinence products

I thought it would be handy for our website visitors to review the absorption capacities for our incontinence products They are as follows:

Bladder control pads-very light to light, 3/4 to 2 1/4 cups
Guards for men-light to moderate, up to 1 1/2 cups
Beltless undergarments- moderate to heavy, up to 2 cups
Belted undergarments- moderate to heavy, 1 1/2 to 2 cups
Slip on undergarments- moderate to heavy, up to 2 cups
Protective underwear- moderate to heavy, up to 3 cups
Refastenable underwear- moderate to heavy, up to 3 cups
Briefs- heavy, over 3 cups

If you want more information about total fluid capacity for individual products, give us a call toll free at 1 888 744 7347.

What is Adult Incontinence?

Did you know that millions of Americans suffer from incontinence? Primarily, these are adults of which 85% are women. But, what is adult incontinence? Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control. This may be either partial of complete, temporary or continuing. It is a sympton of nerve or structural damage to the urinary system.

Incontinence is divide into four classifications:
1. Stress-100% female- most prevalent type (over 65%)
2. Urge- men and women
3. Overflow-men and women
4. Reflex- men and women

Stress incontinence is the leakage of small amounts of fluid resulting from an abnormal or weakened sphincter muscle. It is the most common type and affects 65% of incontinent adults. 50% of pregnant women experience this type of incontinence. Bladder leakage may occur when coughing, laughing, sneezing and lifting, or during physical strain. The causes include pregnancy, multiple childbirths, menopause, aging, obesity, surgery and pelive fractures. Reccomended products for this are bladder control pads, beltless undergarments or guards for men.

Urge incontinence is more severe than stress incontinence, resulting from the immediate need to urinate, but the inability to reach a bathroom in time. It is the second most comment type of incontinence and is found most frequently in women. Bladder leakage occurs when the urine fills the bladder, pressure increases on both the bladder and sphincter, causing the sphincter to involuntarily open and release urine with little or no warning. Causes include, stroke, aging and prostate surgery. Recommende products are bladder control pads, guards, protective underwear, briefs and various undergarments.

Overlow incontinence is leakage of small amounts of urine when the bladder is full. The individual is unaware the bladder is full because this message is not transmitted to the brain. Leakage occurs when the bladder exceeds its capacity. Causes include an enlarged prostate, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and pelvic trauma. Recommended products are bladder control pads, guards for men, protective underwear, briefs and undergarments.

Reflex incontinence is the leakage of urine when the individual is unaware of the need to urinate. The individual suffers a complete absence of control as the result of nerve damage or structural abnormality. Leakage may be continual or episodic. Causes include mental retardation, brain damage, stroke, birth defects, pelvic trauma and senility. Recommended products are protective underwear, briefs and undergarments.

To find out more about incontinence products visit our online store or the incontinence section of our products listings. To learn more about incontinence consult your physician.