“I recently became a caregiver for my elderly mom. She has heavy incontinence and is unable to change herself due to her painful arthritis. She needs protection but how do I know which type or style to choose?”
Since your mother is limited in dexterity and mobility, the best type of incontinence product for her would be a disposable adult brief. These are commonly called adult diapers and resemble much like regular baby diapers. Adult briefs offer the most absorbent protection and typically feature four side fasteners that apply front to back for full coverage. These fasteners will make it easy for you to change your mother whether she’s standing, sitting, or lying down. Adult diapers are best for heavy incontinence, fecal incontinence, and adult bedwetting.
There are various features to look for when choosing the best disposable brief for your mom’s needs. These features include:
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Size – This is one of the most important things to look at, simply because if the diaper doesn’t fit, it fails its purpose. Most briefs are measured by the waist/hip and brands can differ in their sizing charts. For example, a small Tranquility ATN fits waists 24”-32”, but a small Prevail Adult Briefs fits waists 20”-31”. Be sure to measure your mom’s hips and waist to ensure that the diaper is not too big or too small, and ultimately leak or overflow.
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Material – There are two types of adult diapers: traditional plastic back and breathable. Many people feel more secure and protected with the plastic back diapers, but others prefer the breathable kind because it allows for airflow. Breathable briefs are also typically thinner and therefore, more discreet.
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Absorbency – Depending on their absorbency, adult briefs can hold several ounces to several cups of fluid. If your mom frequently empties her bladder in large volumes, it’s best to go with a super absorbent brief or a nighttime diaper. The thickest and most absorbent diaper we carry is the Abena Abri-Form Brief. The X-Plus Medium holds more than 13 cups of fluid!
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Odor control – A lot of diapers, like the Tena briefs, have special odor control features. This is great because you want your mom to stay fresh at all times!
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Brand – The preferred brand of diaper varies from person to person. One person may choose Depend, while the other may want Abena. The most common adult diaper brands include: Tranquility, Tena, Attends, Abena, and Prevail. Do not choose a diaper solely based on brand because they all offer different features and all fit differently.
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Cost – Don’t get caught up on cost either. Evidently, it may not be wise to choose the cheapest diaper, since the quality won’t be as great. Above all, comfort and fit are more important than the cost of the diaper. Purchase in bulk or sign up for an automatic shipping program to cut down on costs.
The process of finding the right fit and style can be tricky, and it’s all a matter of trial and error. Your mother might also prefer a certain type of brief during the day, but a different kind for the night. Don’t forget to add waterproof bedding to your list of caregiving essentials! Good luck.
