Celebrating Earth Day: Carewell's Best Products for Getting Outside and Enjoying Mother Nature
Earth Day is April 22nd and there’s no better time to get outside and enjoy the beauty our planet has to offer. Going outdoors presents an opportunity to bask in the sun, soak in vitamin D, and socialize with others, but if your loved one has low mobility or underlying medical issues like incontinence, it can also present challenges. To make things easier, we’ve created a shoppable list of our favorite products that make it more comfortable (and safe) for you and your loved ones to venture outdoors. From incontinence products and mobility devices to snacks and hydration, this checklist has everything you need to make this Earth Day your best one yet!
How We Chose The Products In This List
The products featured below are some of our highest-rated and best-selling items. They make it easier to get outdoors while reducing stress and promoting safety. Whenever possible, we’ve included real user feedback under each entry under the heading “Hear it from a user/caregiver.”
To streamline shopping, we’ve broken it into three sections: backup incontinence supplies, mobility, and snacks/hydration.
Backup Incontinence Supplies
Many folks with incontinence limit activities outside the home due to the fear of accidents. Having backup incontinence supplies on hand ensures your loved one stays clean and dry, regardless of what you’re doing!
1) Attends Booster Pad
Accidents are bound to happen if your loved one suffers from incontinence, but Attends booster pads help keep leakage to a minimum. Simply insert them into disposable underwear for increased absorbency and an extra layer of protection.
Key Benefits & Features
Made of soft, breathable material with odor-blocking properties
Can be worn with disposable pull-ups of any type
Ultra-thin and highly absorbent
Hear it from a caregiver
“Wow! What a great product. [I] add it to my pull-ups and it usually saves me a brief change after a urine mishap. Just remove the strip [and the] briefs are still dry. Great idea and product!”
- Judith L.
Price: $6.99 - $49.99
2) Carewell Incontinence Underwear, Heavy & Overnight Absorbency
Our private-label disposable pull-ups were designed using direct customer feedback. They help manage moderate to heavy urinary incontinence symptoms, are slim and discreet, and come in several sizes from S/M to XL.
Key Benefits & Features
Keeps the wearer dry and leak-free
Can hold up to 8 cups of liquid and provides up to 12 hours of urinary incontinence protection
Tear-away side seams that can be worn discreetly under everyday clothing
Hear it from a caregiver
“These pull-ups are very comfortable and a great daytime diaper. They have tall leak guards. And the legs feel like they hug better, no gapping. The material is super soft and comfortable for all-day wear. I haven't tried them overnight, but they are a great product. I will be buying these again, and I highly recommend them!”
- Jeff D.
Price: $13.99 - $45.99
3) Prevail Quilted Washcloths with Lotion
These quilted washcloths make diaper changes easy, quick, and comfortable. Each one is 12 inches by 8 inches, allowing you to efficiently clean up messes of any size. Even better? The washcloths are infused with vitamin E, aloe, and chamomile, ensuring your loved one’s most sensitive areas are protected from diaper rash and other irritants.
Key Benefits & Features
The premium quilted fabric that resists tearing and stretching
48 washcloths per container
Fresh scent and free of allergens, including rubber and latex
Hear it from a caregiver
“We have 4-5 caregivers serving my bedridden spouse. All of them express their appreciation for the quality of these washcloths.”
- Erik E.
Price: $3.99 - $45.06
4) Cardinal Wings Quilted Premium Comfort Underpad, Heavy
These disposable underpads provide an affordable and effective way to protect various surfaces, including car upholstery and your loved one’s wheelchair. They trap liquid and lock it away, ensuring clothing, blankets, and other materials stay clean and dry. Premium comfort underpads provide peace of mind and are ideal for any caregiver who wants to spend time with their loved one away from home.
Key Benefits & Features
The silk-soft top sheet makes the underpad comfortable to lay or sit on
Odor guards keep your loved one smelling fresh, even after accidents
Premium back sheet draws incontinence away from skin, keeping your loved one clean and dry
Hear it from a caregiver
“[I] Ordered these for a very particular client of mine. She likes that they are overall a "softer" material feel and they seem to wick moisture better than the majority of bed pads. They don't stick to her bottom as much when she stands up and [they] protect her skin and her chair. These are the same pads she received in the hospital except she wanted me to buy the smaller size. Much better price than Amazon.”
- Abigail E.
Price: $9.99 - $59.47
Mobility Supplies
If your loved one uses a wheelchair or spends most of their time in bed, leaving home can be a major ordeal. Mobility devices can make lifting and supporting your loved one easier while preventing falls and injuries.
5) BodyMed Gait Belt
This BodyMed gait belt is 2 inches wide and features heavy-duty cotton webbing. It makes lifting your loved one from their bed to a wheelchair or their wheelchair into your car easier and less risky. The metal buckle provides a secure hold, protecting your back and reducing the risk of accidents.
Key Benefits & Features
Width: 2 inches; Length: 54 inches
Helps caregivers lift, support, and steady their loved ones
Prevents falls and reduces the risk of caregiver back injuries
Price: $20.20
This video from Twin Cities Orthopedics provides step-by-step instructions for using a gait belt:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWKddSHWfZY&ab_channel=TwinCitiesOrthopedics]
Snacks & Hydration
Getting outside is an easy way to help your loved one reconnect with the world, but it can also make them hungry and thirsty. Packing a few drinks and snacks in a portable cooler keeps everyone comfortable and prevents you from having to visit the nearest drive-through. Start here:
6) Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink
Anyone can experience an electrolyte imbalance, but they’re prevalent in adults 55 and older. With Pedialyte in your ‘go bag’, you can ensure your loved one stays hydrated, whether you’re visiting the beach or touring the local botanical garden.
Pedialyte has 2 times the electrolytes and ½ the sugar of the leading sports drink
Provides an optimal balance of electrolytes and sugar for rehydration in kids and adults
Replenishes vital fluids lost due to travel, intense exercise, excessive heat, vomiting and diarrhea
Hear it from a caregiver
“This [is] a delicious flavor and my body feels better adding electrolytes to my diet. [I] hope to buy a variety pack or maybe multiples in the near future.”
- Erobogha A.
Price: $5.44 - $43.52
7) Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, Electrolyte Drink Mix
Storing a cooler in the trunk of your car isn’t always an option, particularly if space is limited. Enter Liquid I.V. electrolyte drink mix. Simply open the packet and pour it into 16 ounces of water. Shake the mixture until the powder dissolves and voila –– instant hydration. These travel-friendly packets are great for on-the-go and the perfect addition to any picnic!
Key Benefits & Features
Delivers hydration to the bloodstream faster than water alone
Contains 5 essential vitamins, including vitamins B5, B3, B6, B12, and Vitamin C
Single-serving, travel-friendly packets great for vacation and/or family outings
Price: $14.15 - $161.22
8) think! High Protein Lemon Delight Bars
Spending time outdoors is a lot of fun, but it can also leave you hungry. think! High-protein bars are an excellent snack, providing a hunger-busting protein punch with absolutely no sugar. Just one bar can eliminate cravings and tide you over until it’s mealtime again.
Key Benefits & Features
Each bar contains 20 grams of protein
Gluten-free
0 sugar, suitable for low-GI diets
Price: $21.40
9) Mavuno Harvest Dried Fruit
There’s a reason most trail mixes contain dried fruit: It’s high in fiber, loaded with nutrients, and provides a burst of energy. That’s why we recommend stocking up on dried fruit for your Earth Day outing. Mavuno Harvest dried fruit stands head and shoulders above the competition. It’s organically grown, pesticide-free, and contains no added sugar or preservatives.
Key Benefits & Features
A healthy, nutrient-packed snack for when you’re on the go
No added sugar
Completely natural (no funky additives you can’t pronounce!)
Have Questions About Caregiving Supplies? Contact Our Care Team!
Planning an Earth Day excursion can be lots of fun, but it can also trigger questions, like ‘Which products are right for my needs?’ And, ‘What if my loved one has allergies?’ Our friendly care team is available 24/7 and here to support you!
Call (800) 696-CARE to speak with a team member today or email support@carewell.com. We’re happy to answer your questions and can even make product recommendations.
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Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.