TENA Home Improvements Campaign to suit Elderly Parents

Media Launch of Sentiasa Denganmu Mak Abah di Mana Jua Campaign

TENA, The Understanding Specialist and Continence Foundation of Malaysia recently launched the ‘Sentiasa Denganmu Mak Abah di Mana Jua: Idea Mudah Untuk Rumah, Ibu Bapa Kita Lebih Selesa’ Campaign to empower adult children (thats us!) to be more aware of the little things that we can do and how we can play an active role in understanding the many challenges of what our parents face, including the onset of incontinence which occurs in 1 out of 2 older persons.

TENA's Caring 101 Handbook

TENA is no stranger to me as my grandmother uses it as well since she faces incontinence in her 80's and i do see my mother purchasing it for her on a monthly basis as restocks too! Taking about incontinence, it can affect one’s parents’ mobility and quality of life, and this is where the campaign offers practical suggestions from experts on proper care, management and simple improvements in their homes to help elderly parents feel more comfortable while reducing the risk of falls. For your information, incontinence affects 1.4 million Malaysians and is estimated to increase by 4.5% annually. Despite this, studies have shown that 69% do not seek help largely due to embarrassment and social stigma.

Dr Eric Leong sharing some tips of Home Improvements

Thus to spread the awareness, lets us spread the awareness by educating our age groups to understand and care for our parents as they age and understand the need of attention that needs to be given when they need it. While i was at the launch of the campaign, i was attracted by one of the topics which is explained by Dr Eric Leong, a Malaysian designer, in support of the ‘Sentiasa Denganmu Mak Abah di Mana Jua: Idea Mudah Untuk Rumah, Ibu Bapa Kita Lebih Selesa’ Campaign where he shared some tips on Home Improvements that would still make a home a home while making it safe for your Elderly Parents. There are 3 categories that were shared today and it covers the Bathroom, the Living Room and the Bed Room. 

BATHROOM IMPROVEMENT

According to Dr Eric, its always best to add in a handle in your bathroom that is attached to the wall for your elderly parents to grab on to in case they need the extra support to balance when they're standing. Another good consideration is to avoid slippery tiles being used in the bathroom. It would be recomended to get yourself the rubber mats to add friction to the floor to prevent falls too. After listening to this, im considering to get myself a rubber mat so that i dont slip in the bathroom cause we all know how slippery the bathrooms can be sometimes. 

LIVING ROOM IMPROVEMENTS

Add higher cushion for comfort

Cut Pandan and Serai and place it at corners of the house for aroma

As of the living room, its always best to keep it minimal to prevent any accidents within the space. So think of it to be less loose items and avoid glass vases, or a pile of junk being stacked as this may usually cause accidents and falls in a household. Some ways to improve the Living room to make it livable for the elderly is to possibly get higher cushions for your sofa's as usually they will have weaker backs which makes it hard for them to get up. Adding fresh flowers within the living room is also a good idea to freshen up the space. But my favourite tip of all is to cut out pandan leaves and lemon grass into small bits and put it  around the house providing a natural relaxing aroma and since theres lemon grass, it acts as an insect repellant as well. 

BEDROOM IMPROVEMENTS

Big light switch and a basket by the bed would come in handy too

And last but not least would be some bedroom improvements! When the elderly is in bed, they tend to feel the urge to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and this is usually the time that falls happens. So to prevent falls for our parents, first you can consider getting a big light switch so that they dont walk in the dark when they need to get themselves to the toilet. Another good addition that you may add to the side table would be to add a basket for them to put anything they want in a basket to prevent it from falling on the floor. Dr Eric also suggested to include a vacuum flask in case they get thirsty in the middle of the night. I mean, after all, less movement, lowers the possiblities of falling incidents.

Officially launching the campaign

TENA Sentiasa Denganmu Mak Abah di Mana Jua Campaign

In line with this, TENA has provide holistic solutions including simple home improvement ideas as well as product solutions, such as TENA Pants, an absorbent underwear which enables them retain their dignity and freedom to enjoy their golden years without fear or embarrassment. “Incontinence is very common, affecting approximately 50% of older persons. This impacts their lives in many ways, from remaining homebound out of embarrassment or visiting the toilet frequently throughout the day. As they are staying at home for most of the day, it is of utmost importance to prevent our elderly parents from a fall as it could lead to many other complications such as difficulty recovering, as well as other complications if they are hospitalized,” explained Dr Peter Ng, consultant urologist and president of Continence Foundation of Malaysia.

The products available by TENA

In addition to recommendations from experts, the campaign also provides other educational support through the TENA website, where the Caring 101 e-Handbook can be downloaded and product samples can be requested. Do check out their website, and since i got myself the hardcopy of the Caring 101 e-handbook, i surprisingly found it handy as its filled with details that you can learn about from undestanding inconsistence to solutions & tips for caregivers, emotional well being and TENA product solutions. For more information and resources, visit the TENA's social sites below.

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