30. Incontinence Product User Panel #1 with Alan Cottenden

Attached to Hygiene

Incontinence is a serious matter for those who have to deal with it on a daily basis. Many sufferers seek out absorbent hygiene products to cope with their condition. And for most consumers, how their needs (leak protection, discretion, affordability, etc.) are met can make or break their trust in a brand forever. So how can producers better serve the consumer? One simple approach is to talk to product users. In this episode of ‘Attached to Hygiene’, host Jack Hughes and guest moderator Alan Cottenden speak with a user panel from Europe. As Emeritus Professor of Incontinence Technology at University College London, Alan has extensive expertise with Incontinence products and user experience. Panellists Tonneke, Chris, and Rebecca share how current market products meet their needs and what more they wish for from the market as they manage their incontinence.

The many challenges of living with incontinence

Incontinence affects an individual's daily life on many levels and to differing degrees. To live as normally as possible, incontinent adults rely on their absorbent product's effectiveness in several categories: absorption, odour control, and more.

As we talk to our panel of users in this episode, we get to hear about their candid experiences with how incontinence limits and impacts their lives … altering what activities they do … the clothes they choose to wear … how they plan their day. We also learn what products work—or almost work—for them as they manage their condition. Whilst the panellists recognise the improvements made in the industry over the last several years, each has a wish list that would make living with incontinence just a little bit easier.

Outline of the Episode

• [01:00] Incontinence is a sensitive problem with many aspects
• [05:54] Understanding user experience helps you address their concerns
• [13:05] Incontinence of any type can limit options or make living a full life difficult
• [17:41] Secrecy, discretion, and the reactions of others to incontinence
• [24:00] The panellists’ experiences … Do current products meet their needs?
• [30:25] Skin health and managing issues caused by incontinence
• [34:25] Changes that would improve user experience with incontinence products
• [41:06] Why consumers may mix and match various product types
• [46:05] Users want more sustainable products, but they can’t sacrifice performance or afford expensive solutions
• [51:02] The impact of a product’s appearance on discretion and attitude

Resources

You can find Alan on LinkedIn. You may wish to leave him a message through our email at [e-mail].

If you'd like to donate to any of the preferred charities of our panellists, you can do so via the links below.

• Bladder Health UK
• Bekkenbodem4all
• The Simon Foundation for Continence
• Progress Educational Trust

For additional information, download our 1-page PDFs, ‘Fit is Key to Comfort and Performance in Adult Incontinence’ and ‘Core Performance in Adult Incontinence’.

Or, request a copy of our complete ‘Adult Incontinence’ whitepaper.

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Connect with Jack Hughes on LinkedIn. You can also find us at Disposable Hygiene Adhesives on LinkedIn or by visiting the Attached to Hygiene Podcast on our official website.

Email us with questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes at [e-mail].

Host: Jack Hughes

Music by Jonathan Boyle

Produced and edited by: Jack Hughes with help from Paul Andrews, Michele Tonkovitz, Emory Churness, and Nikki Ackerman from GreenOnion Creative.