For some New Zealanders, getting the groceries means planning around the next toilet.

For some New Zealanders, getting the groceries means planning around the next toilet.

If you live rurally, the bus ride to the supermarket can be long. There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to stop when you need to. And if there’s nobody nearby to pick up a few things for you, a trip you’ve made on your own for years can start to feel daunting.

At Stay Dry, we hear from people at some of their most vulnerable moments. Sometimes it takes a great deal of courage just to pick up the phone and say, “I’m having trouble staying dry at night. Can you help?”

We’re getting better at talking about difficult things, but incontinence can still feel hard to bring up. For some people, it starts after an injury, a change in medication or a loss of strength that makes getting to the toilet in time harder. Over time, it can chip away at the confidence to do things they’ve always done for themselves.

People have told us about putting a waterproof tablecloth under towels on the bed, then facing another load of washing in the morning. Some have improvised with plastic bags worn as over pants to try get some extra peace of mind when they’ve had to leave the house, worried they might not reach a toilet in time. These are ways people have found to get through the day when they don’t know what else is available or who they can ask.

And when so much shopping has moved online, where do you start if you don’t have internet access, you’re unfamiliar with online payments, or you’d simply rather speak to someone?

Stay Dry was founded to help people manage these everyday challenges with comfort and dignity. A washable bed pad or a waterproof mattress protector can make the washing more manageable. Sometimes the first bit of help is simply having someone listen and talk you through what’s available.

We can do more for one another in our own streets, too. Next time you’re heading to the supermarket, ask an older neighbor if they’d like you to pick anything up. Drop in with some home baking if you know they’d welcome it. Make time for a chat. For someone who has nobody close by, a regular check-in can make it a little easier to ask for help when they need it.

And if you’re the one lying awake wondering how you’ll manage another night, you’re welcome to call us at Stay Dry. You can start with, “I’m not sure what I need.” We’ll take it from there.

Ph 07 - 8659647