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My husband has developed a neurodegenerative disorder and my problem is that I am by no means well-off (he's not working or able to, but because he was self-employed, he wasn't eligible for disability) but buying diapers, wipes and pads (for protection of bedding) eats a lot out of my income. Is there help for those of us "in the middle"?

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It really is hard, isn't it?

Would he qualify for Medicaid? They provide the supplies at no cost.

I was in a thrift store recently and saw such supplies for sale. Not a lot, but any savings helps. If you have thrift stores near you or on a frequent route, check them out often. I understand that food banks sometimes have these supplies, too.

Ordering in large quantities online can offer some savings. Others here who have done that will probably be along to suggest specific sources.
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We buy them for my dad and it costs a small fortune. I will check online prices as suggested. Thanks. For the bedding, there are soft plastic covers which can be wiped, but it still goes under the sheet. We also have a mattress cover.
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For the mattress protection, I use "doggie training pads" under the sheets. Must wash sheets often but mattress is protected. Also, I buy the "diapers" ( I call them Jockey Shorts) at Sam's under their brand. Much better pricing ( about 1/2) than in drug stores, etc.

Flo Mae
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I wish there was a reasonable supplier for these items. Even the ones supplied by medicaid are hardly worth the effort to put them on. If he is a heavy wetter, be sure to check out which briefs hold the most, and check to see if they are refastonable. So much to take into consideration. I spend an average of 150 dollars a month on suppliies and even that involves a ton of research--finding what is on sale, free shipping, etc.
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Watch for sales, of course. Many times store brands (or name brands ,though they are more expensive to start) are BO/get one at 50 percent. Use a heavy pad inside a pull-up and only change what's wet. You can buy washable padded cotton pants (Wearever incontinence panties on Amazon 13.95 or, to save shipping, directly from the company) and use a heavy pad inside inside, again changing what's wet. You'll need several pairs, of course. Good luck!
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I bought them for my husband at Kroger and Target. It may not have been the best price out there, but it was convenient and the price was better than having the assisted living facility supply "hospital grade" at what they claimed was a a good buy. When he went into hospice care, all supplies were paid for through Medicare.
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If the person who asked question can contact me, I have a supply of wipes and some very gently used bed pads I would be glad to send to her if it would be a small help since my husband has passed away.
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Bringing your husband to the toilet on a regular basis may reduce the accidents and the use of these products. Each time you can get him to use the toilet, is one less product use. Good ideas above. The food pantry near me has these products.
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there are several options. You can purchase these items at box stores like Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's. Also, there are Home Incontinence Supply Companies online. Have you googled any? I have purchased supplies from hdis and they deliver in cases to your door. They have name brands like Depends and off brands also. I have seen rubber sheets used to cover mattresses and then put Chux Pads on top of the sheets to maybe save some washing. Check with your local aging services to see if they can help at all. If he is a Veteran - the VA may assist with these items or check with your local churces to see if they have any type of assistance. Hope this helps.
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ebay for cases of diapers and i buy think pads in bulk at sam's club! good luck and hope you qualify for medicaid!
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I feel for you they can be a big expense but here is what I have found. Costso and Sams club are much cheaper and provide same quality as name brands. For example a large 60 count at Sams is under 30.00. Also for more savings try and buy womans sanitary pads real cheep old fashion kind and put inside depends that way you can just change the pad and not the depend everytime he has an accident. For the bed get washable pads use two one on top of sheet one under sheet, this will save you alot and these pads can be used on chairs, couch etc... Wipes are much cheeper at Sams also. Does your husband qualify for hospice? If he does they pay for supplies. Do a search for a freecycle group in your area they are all over the country and people post things they no longer want on those sites. You can also post an in search of on the site you may get donations. Another source i have found is estate sales. If you search estate sales dot net they will show sales in your area. You can email they company running the sale and ask if they have any that way you dont waste your time going for nothing. Hope these suggestions help.
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Check your local Aging Service Access Point sometimes people donate them to those agencies.
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Dont use HDIS they are very expensive compared to other stores. Also I just thought CVS has some great sales so watch their ads and local senior centers may get donations.
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I was helping a friend of mine get some kind of benefits since he's been out of work for quite a few years. I was devastated when he was declined. However, I learned through a reliable resource that everyone gets declined the first time. The secret is to keep reapplying until you get it. The patient really needs some kind of income to pay for his own supplies, and you may want to get a lawyer. What I would do is save all of the receipts from when you bought the supplies and show them to the lawyer, and gather any other documents you can related to your case including all correspondence regarding disability. Another thing I would do is take the patient with me to the lawyers office to let the lawyer see for themselves the condition of the patient. The more you can do to prove your case, the more likely you'll win. There may very well be compensation for all of the money you spent on those supplies that you really couldn't afford, especially if you're struggling financially. What I would also do is talk to your local churches and other charities, especially the local senior centers in your area.
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Someone suggested thrift stores, which is a very clever suggestion! A similar source is an estate sale. If you go to estatesales site, you can set up an automated email listing all estate sales listed with a certain mileage of your ZIP code that are opening soon. Look for estate sales that show pictures of wheelchairs, bedside commodes, etc. for sale - it's rare that a sales company would photograph adult diapers in their advertisement for a sale.

Neither thrift stores or estate sales are reliable sources, though. Maybe food pantries, also? Maybe you can find a good supply once in a while and save a little money now and again.
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I buy mine online at Allegro medical. fast service and the prices are better than Amaxon
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A local church started a diaper bank in my county and has grown - serves infants through seniors. Check to see if there are any in your area.
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I have seen good deals for supplies on CraigsList, eBay and Amazon.
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Similar to a doggie pad to use under a bed sheet, there are companies that make hospital "blue sheets" where you can purchase a large box of "seconds"... the seconds are less expensive then the "first quality" and work just as well.

I just watch for sales at the local grocery store, and I cut coupons for Depends... there is usually a $2 coupon in the Sunday coupon fliers every other week.
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The doggie training pads is a good suggestion. They are a cheap and effective way to deal with the situation.
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All good answers. For my mom, I use a draw sheet across middle of bed. Tear old sheet in half then fol in half lengthwise , put washable pad first on bed with sheet over top to hold in place. If bed gets wet, just change draw sheet.i am in same situation,just a tad too much for medicaid. I buy overnight tranquility pullups and put pad in for night. During day,same pullups with less expensive pad so I can pull out pad, but use same pullup.
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I have the same problem with my husband and have found that Miles Kimball catalog has 2 types of washable pads that are great. One pad that tucks into the mattress and is called a "reusable waterproof bed pad" and on top of this one I use an incontinence pad that is 20x33 in. Some days he wets both. Wash well and I have a few of each as I need them to be replaced with a clean one. I am working on diapers. Their clear vinyl rubber pants and the white sani pant adult plastic pant work ok but he can soak thru the top and leg areas. I limit fluids after 5PM, get up to the toilet every 4-6 hrs also. Very frustrating. I have found a fitted vinyl mattress topper at Walmart that has saved the mattress. Atleast these things are washable and help some. I get diapers at Walgreens on sale and use a pad inside for night time, but still am working on something better. I find that bathing him after an incontinence and using Dove soap helps keep him smelling better. Do you have a social worker that can help you? God Bless.
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I had the same problem with my mom. I tried many brands online and in stores. The best deal I found was Walgreens' Certainty brand. You can get them online or in stores. They were the best value and they were good quality. They even held up under my mom's C-Def outbreaks. As for the pads (for the beds) I used two different types. I got the disposable ones for travel and emergency use, but I mainly bought the washable type (you can get these at Walgreen's or most medical stores). I bought 4 and would rotate them as I washed them. It saved me a lot of money because the disposable ones would need replacing even if there wasn't an accident. I bought 4 so that I would have one on hand if their was an accident. I hope this helps.
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Just thought of something for nightime. Have you ever considered a condom catheter? It works well for men if they dont move around alot at night. The condom attaches to a long tube and cath bag. This worked well for a client of mine. In the morning you just remove and empty bag. This would save night time depends and if his doc ordered it the supplies should be covered under insurance. I dont know if he is on medicare or not but they cover the supplies.
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Try Walmart they have the lowest prices around. That's where I got mommas supplies from.
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When my mother was going through the regular over the counter poise pads and depends products, my daughter-in-law is a social worker and many of her clients use a certain company for their supplies. I tried them, and was very happy. They first sent me free samples to see how we would like the products, and when I ordered, it took only 1-2 days to receive. They allow you to order as much as you want, but even if I ordered a full box each, and seemed more expensive, in the long run, their products are such better quality and we did not go through as many pads and pants. They are delivered right to your house, so you are not running around going to stores and standing in lines and wasting your time. Company: Tranquility's Care Center Hope they can help you, as they were good to us.
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If you're uncertain as to the type, take a peak at parentgiving Call their toll free nbr - they have an excellent customer service dept and they can help you sort thru the options/styles. If they offer samples, take them. There is NO obligation to buy = just gather info. i bought products [wipes, diapers, washable bed pads] at amazon. i signed up for prime so that i could get supplies within two days = and it saved me from running around town or stocking up. Needs change so quickly. amazon has fab reviews from customers that help guide also. If in doubt just call them. i don;t know what i'd have done without ama prime. There are also diaper liners available - which means you could change just the liner, not the entire diaper/brief. Blessings to you ~
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A couple suggestions that may or may not be helpful...

There is such a thing as a urine catcher that goes on the end of a penis. I forget what they're called. I bought some for my dad on the advice of his nurse and he didn't like them but they're reusable for night time.

A shower curtain could be bought for $5 and reused to protect the mattress instead of using disposable products. If you had a couple of vinyl shower liners, you could rotate their use each day. More work but less money overall.

Watching for Buy One - Get One sales on absorbent undergarments in drug stores is a good recommendation. I've also found large quantity of Depends on Amazon for around $0.50 per underpants.

The reusable pads would be worth investing in. If you had 5 or so, you could wash and rotate those.

If your husband is going to be incontinent for the rest of his life, I wonder how hubs doctors would feel about him using a catheter to be able to control the wetness factor. It's not good for hubs skin to be lying in wetness all the time. If the put in a catheter and connected to a leg bag, it could hide under hubs clothes and give him some dignity. Then you don't have to spend for absorbent things for every day, plus the skin will stay dry.

Just some thoughts, good luck. :-)
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Buying big packs of baby wipes on Amazon is pretty reasonable, too. I can get 700 wipes for $15 dollars.
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Try Costco Warehouse if there is one near you...or go online and shop at Amazon All purchases costing $35.00 or more ships for free from Amazon! Amazon has EVERYTHING and you don't have to leave your house either. Wish you well.
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