WHEN IS IT TIME FOR ADULT DIAPERS? DEALING WITH INCONTINENCE

Adult diapers — also called briefs and incontinence pads — provide a great solution for many people.

But there are a few steps to take before turning to diapers.

If you or a loved one is experiencing bladder leakage, consider the following.

For younger or middle-aged women with incontinence due to childbirth

• A thin panty liner or protector in the underwear can be enough for accidental leaks during a sneeze or laugh attack.

For elderly people or those with persistent, significant incontinence

• A doctor can perform urodynamic tests to learn the underlying cause of the leakage.
• Testing involves both physical exams and urine measurement.
• In some cases, medicine or other treatment can resolve the issue.

But sometimes, medicine can’t help incontinence due to aging.

As they age, an elderly loved one’s bladder leakage may result in an unpleasant odor, or cause them to wet the bed.

Some people need to strategically plan car trips and social events to stay close to a bathroom and avoid embarrassing leakage. They may start to wear clothing that hides wet stains.

It may be time to talk to your loved one about wearing adult diapers when:

• Incontinence begins interfering with their daily life.
• Their doctor determines no other treatments can help control leakage.