How to choose the right size for incontinence products

Big, small or in between? TENA incontinence products for men and women come in many variants and sizes. Choosing the right size and fit is important for comfort, skin health, and leakage security. As pointed out in our article on how to choose the right incontinence product, you should perform an initial assessment and evaluation of your resident’s situation and needs. After that you’ll be able to find the most suitable incontinence product for him or her. No matter what kind of incontinence your resident is dealing with, correct measurement and sizing are essential for optimal fit and care.

Use a measuring tape to take your resident’s waist and hip measurements. Ask your resident to take off any outer garments before you begin, and make sure the measuring tape is snug around the waist or hip while measuring. The green circles in the image show you where you should take the measurements.

For TENA Flex, TENA Pants and TENA Slip we recommend you measure the hip and for TENA Fixation the waist. TENA Comfort does not need a waist or hip measurement and is to be worn with fixation pants. 

Now that you have the right measurements, look at the TENA product you’re considering for your resident: each product has a size chart that tells you which size to choose based on the measurements you’ve taken. Size charts are also available for our fixation pants needed to keep the incontinence product in place.

Here are a few points that explain why the right size matters and how to find the optimal fit:

• A product in the right size, and with the right fit, should attach securely and be snug in the groin.
• Remember, when fitting an incontinence product, that a bigger product is not necessarily more absorbent. The risk of leaks may actually increase if, for example, the leg area of a pant product isn’t snug enough.
• A product that is too large will also feel bulky, impacting your resident’s comfort and personal dignity.
• On the other hand, if the fit is too tight, the product will be uncomfortable, and might chafe the skin.
• If your resident is wearing a fixation pant that is too big, the incontinence product will not stay in place and there is a risk of leakage and discomfort.

Regardless of your resident’s size, there is a TENA product that will be just right to keep him or her dry and comfortable – provided the fit and absorption capacity is adapted to individual needs.