DIAPERS- new name PLEASE

BillieCDD

PLEASE PLEASE START A MOVEMENT TO STOP CALLING ADULT INCONTINENT UNDERWEAR DIAPERS.

Many of our afflicted loved ones HEAR AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WORD, AND IT HURTS THEM. It is degrading. It reinforces to them that they are losing their status as adults.

I have to remind aides to stop, and they often do not. It is too easy, and I cringe every time.

PLEASE HELP STOP THIS INDIGNITY.

Mint

Do you have some suggestions as for what we can call them to make this better for them, understand your dislike of the word.  If I was the one wearing it would prefer a different name too but having trouble thinking of something to call it.

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SusanB-dil

We often call them adult underwear or adult briefs would also work.      Absorbent undergarment or adult absorbents?

harshedbuzz

I agree, no need to shout. JK. Words matter. What do you suggest? 

I suspect the alternative would quickly have the same stigma as "diaper". Years ago, the medical community coined the term "Mental Retardation" as an improvement over the previously used "Idiot", "Moron" and "Imbecile"; it quickly became a slur and now there's a campaign against the use of the "R" word. Journalism stylebooks would also caution against the use of the term "afflicted" to describe a person who lives with a disability or illness. 

FWIW, my aunt introduced her sister to Depends by describing them as a terrific new disposable "paper panty" that saves on laundry. My aunt had retired to her summer cottage and always worried about her balky septic system that was shared with a few other homes so it seemed great when they appeared in her drawer. With dad we didn't really talk about them. If he needed a change, my mom would say something like "let's get you some fresh pants" and leave it at that. My mother euphemistically referred to such items as "supplies" when asking me to order in more.  

I am sorry the folks in your employ are not honoring your request. Many of the wonderful folks who helped with dad's care were not speaking English as their first language so I would extend grace to those who might not have an alternative descriptor ready to use if that is the case for you. What have you asked them to call these incontinence products? 

HB

Kibbee

We just call them underwear.  Keep it simple, keep it easy.

mommyandme (m&m)

To other caregivers and/or medical staff, “tabbed briefs” worked for us.  To my LO, I called them “underwear”.

GothicGremlin

If I'm talking to memory care staff I say "incontinence underwear." When my sister first started wearing them and was uncomfortable with them, she and I referred to them as "the other underwear", now when I discuss them with her, we refer to them as "underwear".

MN Chickadee

My mother's MC facility always called them briefs which I thought was fine. It's short and easy.

zauberflote

When I switched Mom, then in MC, to Depends, I called them panties (her old word) or undies. I don't know what the caregivers called them. Mom did move to the tabbed kind during convalescence from a hip replacement. My mother was a very straight-forward, no-nonsense person when in her whole mind, and not all of that deserted her.  MIL's in-home caregivers called them briefs, and also "here let's get you cleaned up and fresh" suiting actions to words.

LadyTexan

When I first transitioned DH into Depends, I explained to him, that they were disposable underwear. I stated that I wanted to try out the disposable underwear to reduce the household chores. I raved about how convenient they were. 

After DH got used to the disposable underwear, usually I just called them briefs or undies. I used the term briefs with the aides and the caregiver too. Once DH was on hospice, I tried to continue using the terms briefs or the generic "supplies" with the tabs. 

Mint

Couldn’t remember what the nursing staff called them.  Knew they didn’t say diaper.  You guys jogged my memory, it was briefs.

Beauchene105

We just say briefs, as does the AL staff and as did the hospital staff. I believe this is the most commonly used term, in my region anyway. Except for my mom! She, the wearer, says "diaper" and doesn't seem offended. So, different words affect people different ways. As Shakespeare wrote, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet." (Not sure that's a great quote to go along with briefs!!)

mommyandme (m&m)

Beauchene105 wrote:

We just say briefs, as does the AL staff and as did the hospital staff. I believe this is the most commonly used term, in my region anyway. Except for my mom! She, the wearer, says "diaper" and doesn't seem offended. So, different words affect people different ways. As Shakespeare wrote, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet." (Not sure that's a great quote to go along with briefs!!)

ha, thanks for the smile B!

Jo C.

Hm-m-m; word for diapers in the UK is Nappies; in German:  Windheln; but in France they are couches which would not work so well here.  Perhaps a foreign word would work???

Tis troubling when it is troubling . . . .

Pattieann

Briefs, underwear - easy. No excuse for using the word 'diapers'. I, for one, agree with the need for ALL CAPS in your post to emphasize the need to change this demoralizing practice/habit.