The 10 Best Adult Diapers
Editor's Notes
January 03, 2020:
Wearing diapers as an adult doesn't have to be embarrassing or inconvenient if you get the right pair for your needs. For example, heavy overnight wetters should look for different features than someone who wants a discreet pair for daily wear. We did our best to ensure we have a couple of recommendations for every type of use.
If you are dealing with high-volume incontinence, ConfiDry 24/7 and Abena Abri-Form M4 Briefs are without a doubt the best options. They can contain up to 100 and 122 ounces of liquid, respectively, and have effective leak guards whether the wearer is standing or lying down. The days of waking up in a puddle will be a thing of the past with either of these. Of course, any diaper that can contain that much fluid won't be super thin, so some users may not want to wear them as they go about their day.
Women who are looking for something discreet to wear as they go about their regular activities in public should consider Tena SuperPlus and Always Discreet Underwear, both of which are designed to hug a the female figure and be essentially unnoticeable under clothing. Men can find a similar option in the Depend Real Fit. All three of these can be pulled on just like regular underwear for convenient donning without aid. It is worth noting that these aren't ideal for overnight use since they don't offer a very high amount of absorbency and will generally need to be changed after one wetting.
For those who are unable to change themselves, and perhaps unable to verbally communicate with their caregiver when they need to be changed, we have included the North Shore Supreme, Seni Super Plus, and Molicare Premium Super Plus, all of which have a wetness indicator.
Convincing A Loved One To Wear Adult Diapers
Remember that, people associate diapers with infants, which is a big reason adults have a hard time accepting the product.
If a beloved family member is reaching a time of life when he or she needs adult diapers, they probably won't be the first one to say it. But, you'll probably know when your loved one needs to make this change, and understanding how to talk to them about it will go a long way. You can start by stating that incontinence is actually quite common in both men and women of various ages. Normalizing it can help someone become more comfortable with accepting the fact that they have it, and with addressing it.
You can also talk about the stress-reducing benefits of wearing this product. If your relative or friend suffers from incontinence but doesn't wear a diaper, then he or she is probably constantly worried about having an accident, or not being near a restroom when nature calls. Those who lose control over their bladder or bowels live in terror that they'll walk around with an odor coming from their body, or with a large stain on their pants, and won't even know it. Wearing an adult diaper can alleviate these concerns. This product actually gives the wearer freedom to go about their activities, including those that don't always mean nearby restrooms (like beach walks or hikes) without fear of an embarrassing incident.
While we've referred to these products as diapers throughout this discussion, you may want to use different language when actually having the conversation with your family member. Remember that, people associate diapers with infants, which is a big reason adults have a hard time accepting the product. You may want to call them pads, liners, briefs, or even just whatever brand name you're buying when you're talking to the person who will be wearing them. Use words that re-brand the item as one for adults, rather than for babies. All in all, it's important that your loved one understands that their pride and independence are not at risk by using this product. And by mentioning these points to them, you'll prove that adult diapers can actually preserve those two important factors.
Vacationing With Adult Diapers
Even once your friend or family member has gotten used to wearing adult diapers, life will pose a new challenge: traveling while using these products. Your home restroom can be set up for putting on and disposing of these items, as well as cleaning up after using them. But you may not find the lavatories along your travels to be so accommodating. In fact, if you've been feeling like airplane restrooms have been shrinking, you could be right. That makes air travel for anyone with any sort of medical condition or special needs very difficult. On that note, we'll start with airports and planes. Make sure your travel companion puts on a fresh diaper in the large airport bathroom before a long flight.
That being said, there should always be a few fresh pairs in the actual carry-on luggage in case of emergencies.
When it comes to packing, if you're trying to limit luggage to carry-on only, have your friend who requires adult diapers ship a pack to your destination in advance. Most hotels are happy to receive and store a package for incoming guests before they arrive. That being said, there should always be a few fresh pairs in the actual carry-on luggage in case of emergencies. Make sure to pack some adult wipes too, as well as ship some along with the diapers to the hotel.
As for disposing of the items, bear in mind that not all hotels or other accommodations will be equipped for diaper disposal. So consider bringing along some odor-free trash bags to put in the restroom. It's perfectly alright to ask housekeeping to take the trash out on a daily basis, to keep your hotel room smelling fresh. A few of these should also be in the carry-on luggage for properly tossing out used diapers in the restrooms of airports, airplanes, train stations, and so on. Traveling with adult diapers is certainly possible and doesn't have to be difficult, so long as you plan ahead.
Tips For Choosing The Right Adult Diaper
Once you've decided to buy adult diapers, you'll find that there are several designs and styles to choose from. The first thing you should do is determine the user's regular leakage. There are several issues that could be at the root of the problem, from certain foods to drug-induced urinary incontinence. Have the user keep a diary of when accidents occur so you can help determine what is causing them, which can further aid you in predicting how heavy leaks will be on a daily basis. From there, you'll know if you need diapers that boast heavy or just moderate absorbency. A sub-part of this will also be determining if the wearer will have mostly urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, or both. There are diapers designed for each of these scenarios.
Regardless of the style you go with, make sure you measure the wearer, refer to the diaper's sizing chart, and get the right fit.
Next, consider whether or not the user has any mobility issues and requires help from a nurse, uses toilet seat risers, or lives under other conditions that make using the restroom on her own difficult. If so, then you'll want fitted tab models as these are easy for the helper to get off with one hand, leaving the other hand free to stabilize the wearer. If the wearer is still quite independent and can take off and put on the diapers themselves, then traditional pull-ups will work just fine. Regardless of the style you go with, make sure you measure the wearer, refer to the diaper's sizing chart, and get the right fit. Diapers that are too large or too small can lead to leakage, as well as rashes.
Finally, as far as comfort goes, make sure the diapers breathe well. Cloth-like varieties are well-ventilated and are especially helpful for those suffering from dermatitis, bed sores, and similar conditions. If discretion is of the utmost importance to the wearer, you can find non-bulky designs that won't show beneath clothing. When you select the perfect adult diapers for your loved one, the transition to using this product can feel rather seamless.