Proper application of an adult incontinence product supports the user’s comfort and dignity. The correct technique ensures maximum leak prevention and helps maintain healthy skin by reducing friction and moisture exposure. Mastering the specific application methods for both mobile and immobile users is necessary to maximize product effectiveness. A properly fitted product is designed to contain waste without causing pressure points or leaving gaps that compromise protection.
Preparation: Gathering Supplies and Positioning
Successful application begins with selecting the appropriate product. This involves choosing between pull-up style protective underwear for mobile users and tape-tab briefs for bedridden individuals or those requiring dependent care. Sizing is paramount, determined by measuring the user’s waist and hip circumference and selecting the larger measurement for proper coverage. A product that is too large or too small can lead to leaks, chafing, and discomfort.
Before starting the change, all necessary supplies must be gathered and placed within easy reach to prevent interruptions. These materials include a clean adult brief, disposable gloves, and cleansing wipes or washcloths for skin cleaning. A skin protection barrier cream should also be readily available to apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin, helping to prevent irritation from prolonged moisture exposure. Finally, a dedicated plastic bag or disposal system is needed to contain the soiled product and wipes, which helps manage odors and maintain a clean environment.
Step-by-Step: Application for Mobile Users
The application process for users who can stand or assist in their own care often involves pull-up style underwear. After removing the old product, the user should stand steadily while the clean product is prepared by folding it lengthwise, ensuring the inner leg cuffs are upright. The user then steps into the product, pulling it up over the hips and waist like regular underwear.
For a mobile user wearing a tape-tab brief, the standing application method secures the garment quickly and efficiently. With the user standing, position the brief from front to back, covering the buttocks with the back panel and pulling the front panel up over the groin. Secure the tapes while the user remains standing. Start with the lower tapes angled slightly upward to cup the buttocks, followed by the upper tapes angled slightly downward to secure the waist.
Step-by-Step: Application for Immobile Users (Rolling Technique)
Applying a tape-tab brief to an immobile user requires the rolling or side-lying technique to ensure full coverage and comfort. After the soiled product is removed and the skin is cleaned, gently guide the user to lie on their side, facing away from the caregiver. Fold the clean brief lengthwise into a U-shape. The back half is then tucked slightly beneath the user’s hip and back, with the tabs facing the rear.
Gently roll the user back toward the caregiver, onto the tucked portion of the brief, positioning the back panel smoothly under the buttocks. With the user now lying flat, pull the front panel up between the legs and over the belly. Smooth the brief out to remove any wrinkles or bunching, which can cause discomfort or lead to leaks.
Securing the brief involves a specific taping pattern to achieve a contoured fit that prevents leakage. Fasten the lower tapes first, angling them upward toward the hip bone to create a snug seal around the leg openings and cup the buttocks. Secure the upper tapes next, angling them slightly downward to hold the brief firmly at the waist, ensuring the entire garment fits securely without excessive pressure. The entire process should be performed with gentle movements, guiding the user by the hip and shoulder to minimize strain and discomfort.
Checking the Fit and Disposal
After application, a final check confirms the product is properly seated. A properly fitted diaper should allow one to two fingers to slide comfortably between the product and the user’s skin at the waist and leg openings, indicating a snug fit. Crucially, the internal leak guards, or standing leg cuffs, must be pulled gently outward to ensure they stand upright against the inner thighs, creating a soft barrier.
The skin should be checked for any signs of red marks or indentations, which suggest the product is too tight or causing friction. Before dressing the user, apply a thin layer of barrier cream to the perineal area, especially if the user is prone to skin irritation or prolonged moisture exposure. The final step is to dispose of the soiled items by rolling the used brief inward to contain waste, sealing it within the dedicated plastic bag, and discarding it.