There are numerous absorbent products today to help those with incontinence. Speaking with a medical professional will help you choose which absorbent incontinence product best suits you.  Choosing the right incontinence product depends on several factors.  Incontinence products vary in flexibility, disposability, fit, and absorbency level. It is also important to remember that adult diapers and pads do not stop your incontinence, but instead they help make you more comfortable and make your incontinence more manageable. To start off, I will explain the purpose of diapers and a pads.  Both products are designed with a similar purpose which is to absorb fluid and keep you dry.  An adult diaper and a pad are essentially the same product, with the main difference being size and fit. Adult diapers are typically bigger than pads and have flaps and often more materials to make sure the diaper stays on your body in a comfortable way.  To wear a pad, you often need to be wearing underwear or some sort of undergarment to hold the product in place.  Pads are most often smaller than adult diapers for this reason.  Booster pads are very absorbent, but unlike normal pads, booster pads do not have a waterproof backing.  This means that if the booster fills up, it could leak through.  If you want an incontinence product with more security, you may consider spending more money for the product. Almost all convenience stores or drug stores carry incontinence products, so the ability to get the product should not be an issue. Now I will look at some specific products and we will look at the pros and cons of each

1. Tab Style Briefs (also known as fitted briefs)

      Pros

• Very efficient in absorbing liquid, which is essential to one’s comfort if somebody is incontinent in the night
• Has a comfortable fit. It has wings and an elastic waistband to help adjust size
• Relatively cheap and can be found almost anywhere

• Plastic portion of brief can be uncomfortable to some with sensitive skin
• The tapes or elastic are often not up to people’s standards
• The plastic backing is known to be loud when moved

2. Pull on underwear

       Pros

• Comfortable flexible stretch panel makes for a comfortable fit
• Very absorbent and can wear overnight with typically no leakage

       Cons

• Sometimes the material may split at the sides. Often times this happens when people put underwear on too tight
• Sizing is quite different in various brands, so making sure you buy the correct size can be a challenge

3. Belted Undergarment

       Pros

• Easy to put on and take off
• Not noticeable if wearing under clothes, so wearing one in public is easy
• Can be changed by self, even standing up

       Cons

• Elastic is known to be cheaper and break easier than other incontinence products
• Not build as well as diapers and the padding can often fall apart with movement

4. Bladder Control Pads for Men and Women

       Pros

• Made of special gels which are meant to absorb quick spills
• Odor reducing so they don’t smell after use

      Cons

• Aren’t as comfortable as adult diapers
• Aren’t as padded as other incontinence products

View all of BrightCare's adult diaper offerings HERE!