First Quality and Caregiver Action Network partner to support family caregivers of people with incontinence

Millions of people provide essential healthcare services every day, caring for family members with special needs, such as incontinence. Despite their dedication, many caregivers face significant challenges, both physically and emotionally, due to the intensity and demands of the work.

To offer support, First Quality, a manufacturer of adult incontinence products, has partnered with the Caregiver Action Network and its Corporate Leadership Council. The goal of the collaboration in the U.S. is to equip caregivers of family members with incontinence with valuable resources and to encourage the development of a supportive network.

“Providing care to a family member with incontinence can feel overwhelming, especially at first”, said Michele Mongillo, clinical educator at First Quality. “We are proud of our decades of experience in healthcare, our clinical expertise and the innovative products we’ve developed to make managing incontinence and family caregiving as comfortable as possible. We’re eager to work with Caregiver Action Network to help family caregivers see they’re not alone”.

First Quality is recognized as a leader in manufacturing adult incontinence products, especially through its Prevail® brand, widely used in long-term care facilities. In addition to offering innovative products, the company also provides personalized clinical support, such as the Prevail eNurse™ chat line, which offers 24/7 assistance to caregivers with questions about incontinence care.

The Caregiver Action Network, the leading national organization for family caregivers, aims to raise awareness about the essential role these professionals play in public health. “We are excited to have First Quality join our Corporate Leadership Council. There are so many ways our two organizations can partner toward our shared mission of supporting family caregivers”, said Marvell Adams Jr., CEO of Caregiver Action Network. “Together, we can make a profound difference for the caregivers who already give so much to their loved ones”.

SELF-CARE DURING NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH

In November, National Family Caregivers Month highlighted the importance of self-care. First Quality, as the newest member of the Corporate Leadership Council, prioritizes supporting caregivers in recognizing their role and reminding them that it is crucial to make time for personal care, even while caring for others.

Studies show that the average family caregiver spends about 20 hours a week caring for a loved one with chronic illness, disability, or aging, which can affect the caregiver’s own health. The Caregiver Action Network reports that 23% of caregivers who have been providing care for five years or more report health problems, while between 40% and 70% of family caregivers exhibit significant symptoms of depression.

“We know caregiving looks different in every home. It can be very rewarding, but there is certainly stress, too”, said Sima Delafraz, chief commercial officer at First Quality. “We want caregivers to feel appreciated and equip them with ways to handle the unexpected challenges of their families’ journeys. We’re proud to partner with Caregiver Action Network to help do that”.