Before your family member comes home, ask the discharge team which products and sizes were used on the ward, then stock a small, flexible supply for the first week. Add bed and chair protection, wipes and skin care, disposal supplies and a spot to keep it all within reach. Every care decision stays with the hospital team.
Questions to ask the discharge team about products
Write the answers down, because discharge day is busy. Useful questions include:
- Which product types did the person use on the ward: pads, pull-on underwear, briefs or something else, and in what size?
- How many changes did they need during the day and the night?
- Which wipes, cleansers or barrier products did the team use on their skin, and is anything to be avoided?
- Will anything be sent home with them, and who should we call when it runs out?
- Does the person need help reaching the toilet, a commode or a urinal, and what equipment do they suggest?
- Are there catheter, ostomy or wound supplies, and who will show us how to use them?
- Who do we phone with questions after discharge?
Absorbent products for the first week
Buy what the ward used. If you know the style and size, start with a small supply of that so you can adjust after a day or two. A person who has been in hospital may have changed in weight or mobility, so a size from before the stay may not fit now. If you are unsure, check our sizing guide and consider smaller packs of two neighbouring sizes until you know. Ask the team whether days and nights need different absorbency.
To size the first order, take the number of day and night changes the ward gave you, multiply by seven and round up to the nearest pack. That covers the week without leaving you with cases of a size that turns out to be wrong.
Our incontinence products collection lists pads, protective underwear and briefs in a range of sizes, so you can match what the ward used.
Bed and chair protection
Disposable underpads for the bed and a favourite chair are simple for the first week, because they can be replaced without laundry. One option is Attends Supersorb Advanced Underpads, 23 x 36 in; check the size against the bed or chair before you order. If the team suggests a mattress protector, put it on under the sheets before the person arrives. Keep spare sets of sheets and sleepwear within easy reach.
Shop this guide
- Always Discreet Incontinence Pads for Women, Moderate, Regular Length, 108 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Hospital Bed Pads, XX-Large, Heavy Duty Absorbent (ships via Amazon)
- Coloplast Bedside-Care Perineal Wash, No-Rinse, 8 oz (ships via Amazon)
- BEDLORE 2 Pack Queen Waterproof Mattress Protector,Deep Pocket 6"-18",White
- See all: Adult Incontinence
- See all: Disposable Underpads
- See all: Adult Wipes & Skin Care
- See all: Waterproof Mattress & Furniture Protectors
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Wipes, cleansers and barrier products
Start from what the ward used on the person's skin, and ask whether anything should be avoided. The product types you are likely to hear named are pre-moistened wipes, dry washcloths you wet yourself, skin cleansers and barrier creams, and our adult wipes and skin care collection lists each of them. Match what the team named where you can, follow the label on every product, and tell a nurse or doctor if skin looks red, sore or broken.
Disposal, laundry and gloves
Set up a lined bin with a lid near the bathroom, disposal bags, hand soap and hand sanitizer. Disposable gloves are handy for the person doing the care; ask the team what they suggest and in what size. Do not flush products or wipes, and tie off the bin liner and take it out every day. Keep soiled linens in a separate laundry bag, wash them following the care labels and wash your hands afterward.
Where to set things up before they arrive
Make one station near the bed and the bathroom so supplies are within reach:
- A basket of the next few changes, plus wipes and bags
- A second basket with spare sleepwear and a towel
- The bed made with protection in place before the person arrives
- A clear, lit path from the bed to the toilet, with a night light
Ask the discharge team whether any bathroom or mobility equipment is needed, and let them confirm it. Our home medical supplies checklist covers the wider picture beyond products.
What to leave to the care team
Products are only a small part of care. Leave wound and skin treatment, catheter and ostomy care, medications, bladder or bowel routines and transfers to the hospital team and any home-care staff involved. If anything changes or worries you, call the discharge contact, the family doctor or a local health line. For an emergency, call 911.
Common questions
Should I buy a large supply before they come home?
Start small until you know the sizes and styles that work. You can reorder as soon as you are sure.
Do we need both disposable and washable pads?
Disposable underpads are a simple start for the first week because they need no laundry, and washable ones can be added if the need continues. The team can advise on what suits the person.
What if I cannot find the product the hospital used?
Ask the team for the type, size and absorbency level, not only the brand. If you are stuck, send us the details through the contact page and we will suggest similar options.
Can we use the same wipes we already have at home?
Check the label for the intended use and ask the team whether the person's skin needs anything specific.
If you would like help matching products to what the ward used, send a note through our contact page and we will reply within one business day.