The effective use of adult absorbent products requires clear guidance due to the variety of styles and differing mobility needs of users. These products, often called adult diapers, manage incontinence and offer security when used correctly. Understanding product types, ensuring a proper fit, and mastering application and disposal techniques are necessary steps. This guide provides instructions for both self-application and assisted changes.
Choosing the Correct Type and Fit
Selecting the appropriate product is the first step toward successful incontinence management, as a poor choice can lead to discomfort and leakage. Products fall into three categories: disposable briefs, protective underwear, and pads or guards. Disposable briefs, or tab-style diapers, feature adjustable side tabs and are preferred for heavy incontinence or individuals with limited mobility. Protective underwear, often called pull-ups, is worn like traditional underwear and is suitable for mobile users with moderate to heavy incontinence. Pads and guards are inserts used for light leakage and require separate fixation underwear or close-fitting garments.
The correct size is the most important factor in preventing leaks, as an ill-fitting product will fail regardless of its absorbency level. Sizing is based on two measurements: the waist and the hips. Users should measure the natural waist circumference and the fullest part of the hip, using the larger measurement to consult the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
A product that is too large will gap around the legs, leading to leakage. One that is too small can cause skin irritation, chafing, and restrict circulation. Proper fit requires the product to sit snugly against the body at the waist and leg openings without causing pressure points.
Step-by-Step Application for Mobile Users
Mobile users who can stand or sit with minimal assistance typically find protective underwear (pull-ups) the easiest product to use. These products are put on just like regular underwear, with the user stepping one foot at a time into the leg holes. The pull-up is secured around the waist, ensuring the leak guards around the thighs are not tucked inward, which could compromise the containment barrier. The front and back are usually indicated by a colored waistband or a label, which should be correctly positioned before pulling it up.
For a mobile user applying a tab-style brief, the process begins by folding it lengthwise to create a boat shape, which helps activate the leg gathers. The user can sit down, allowing the back panel of the brief to be slid under the buttocks with the tabs positioned in the back. After standing, the front panel is pulled up between the legs and over the abdomen. The tabs are secured from back to front onto the landing zone. The lower tabs should be angled slightly upward and the upper tabs angled downward to create a secure fit that conforms to the body.
Changing and Positioning for Bedridden Individuals
Changing a bedridden individual requires a specific positioning technique to ensure comfort and prevent caregiver injury. Begin by unfastening the soiled product’s tabs and tucking the side farthest from the caregiver inward beneath the user’s hip. The caregiver gently rolls the user onto their side, away from the caregiver, using a “log roll” technique by guiding the shoulder and hip simultaneously. This movement allows the soiled product to be rolled up and removed from the back, containing the waste inside.
With the user still on their side, the skin is thoroughly cleansed, typically using a pH-balanced cleanser or wipes. A clean brief is folded lengthwise and placed under the user, with the tucked side extending slightly beyond the rolled-up user’s back. The user is gently rolled back onto their back, over the clean brief, allowing the tucked side to be pulled out and smoothed flat. The front panel is brought up between the legs, and the tabs are fastened securely to the front panel, adjusting the top and bottom tabs to ensure a leak-proof seal.
Proper Disposal and Skin Integrity
After removal, the soiled product must be rolled up tightly, with the outer material enclosing the absorbent core and its contents. For tab-style briefs, the side tabs can secure the rolled product, creating a compact bundle for disposal. It is necessary to empty any solid waste into the toilet before rolling and disposing of the product. All used absorbent products, including wipes, must be placed into a trash receptacle and never flushed, as they can cause plumbing blockages.
Maintaining skin integrity is a long-term aspect of using adult absorbent products, as continuous exposure to moisture and irritants can lead to skin breakdown, known as incontinence-associated dermatitis. Frequent changes are necessary, and the skin should be cleansed with a gentle product after each episode of incontinence. Applying a thin, even layer of a zinc-oxide-based barrier cream or ointment creates a protective layer, shielding the skin from moisture and friction. This step helps prevent rashes and moisture-associated skin damage, promoting healthy skin.