Incontinence FAQs

If you’re new to incontinence, it can be overwhelming and sometimes scary at first. Figuring out how best to manage incontinence and what your next steps should be can be challenging and bring up some difficult questions.

We know that it can be a little uncomfortable to discuss this issue, which is why we’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions. We compiled this list based on questions we are often asked by new Healthwick customers.

We hope this helps, and please remember that we’re here to help. You can call our customer care team Toll Free at 1-877-775-6656 for a friendly, compassionate and non-judgemental response to your questions.

Q: Is incontinence normal?

A: More than 3.3 million Canadians of varying ages manage incontinence. So if you’re experiencing bladder or bowel incontinence, know that you are not alone. While incontinence is common, especially among seniors, it shouldn’t be considered “normal”. Incontinence isn’t a disease, it’s a sign or a symptom of something else happening within your body. If you’re experiencing incontinence, it’s important to discuss the issue with your healthcare professional as incontinence can almost always be treated, cured or managed.

Q: Do I have to wear an adult diaper?

A: No, adult diapers are not the only product available for managing incontinence. However, adult diapers do tend to be the most absorbent product option, especially if you’re experiencing heavy to maximum or bowel incontinence. Unfortunately, we understand that there is a stigma associated with wearing a diaper as an adult.

That said, there are other product options available to help you better manage incontinence. You can try absorbent pull-up underwear or incontinence pads if you live a more active lifestyle or aren’t ready to try a brief yet. If you need help choosing a product, we recommend giving our customer care team a call for assistance.

Q: Where can I learn more about incontinence?

A: There are tons of resources available to help you learn more about incontinence. We recommend you check out the Canadian Continence Foundation website. They have a lot of information about statistics, treatment/management options and provide you with further insight.

The Canadian Nurse Continence Advisors (CNCA) association is another great resource. This association was founded to help Canadians better manage their incontinence from a medical standpoint. The CNCA has a lot of other resources listed on their website that you may find helpful.