Anyone have any luck with washable adult diapers?

elhijo · January 1

Hello,

Few hours till 2025 here in the east coast, but Alzheimer's doesn't care. It goes on.

We're spending a fortune on adult diapers as my LO pees constantly throughout the day given the special nutrition therapy she's on. It keeps her hydrated and well-nourished, and calm, but… it makes her pee constantly. Changing 5 or 6 diapers just during the daylight hours is not uncommon.

So I'm thinking washable adult diapers especially for evenings when she'll need something super-absorbent, but I can't get over the ickyness factor.

Anyone been successful with this? Or regreted it, and if so, why? Any tips and tricks to keep it odor free while it's in the hamper? I don't want to do laundry every single day and I figure with washables you'll have to. Hoping to avoid this.

Looking for input here. If needed we can continue to buy disposable briefs with the tabs but it does add up. I found a brand I like (Seni is the name) but it is pricey.

Thanks,

elhijo

fmb · January 1

As someone who had babies in cloth diapers out of financial necessity, I can tell you that the 'ickyness factor' will be multiplied greatly when you are dealing with full-sized adult urine and BM infused cloth diapers. Swishing them around in the cold water of the toilet to remove the solids. Maintaining a smelly diaper pail until there are enough to launder. The cost of adding multiple loads of laundry per week. Leaking, even with waterproof cover pants. Not being able to get the diapers truly white unless they are hung out in the sun. Skin irritation and sores from sitting in a soiled diaper. If I were in your shoes, I would try to find another way to economize.

ronda b · January 1

I agree with fmb. They are terribly messy and can cause skin break down faster. They leak alot so you will be changing all of her clothes or bedding frequently. Laundry would most likely have to be done every day to keep the odor down.

elhijo · January 1

And just as I was treating myself to some chocolate cheesecake. It's now back in the fridge. I appreciate the unvarnished honesty and so will my LO.

Emily 123 · January 1

elhijo, would adding a booster pad inside the disposables help you reduce some of the costs? You might not have to go through so many changes.

elhijo · January 1

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232644#Comment_232644

Emily,

A nurse advised that but it turned out to be a baaad idea. It caused a rash as the booster prevented proper airflow. We don't want to go through that experience again. I've tried different brands and the Seni one seems to be a winner. I may buy washable underpads and keep the disposable diapers but still deciding. I even bought the blue banana thing (Purewick) at $500 months ago. But, the refill wicks cost about $250 for a 30-day supply. And it's kind of a loud machine, and it doesn't work as well as the hospital version which uses hospital-grade suction which is powerful -and quiet. Thanks for the suggestion though, appreciated.

Emily 123 · January 1

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232646#Comment_232646

Good to know—thanks!

cdgbdr · January 1

I bought some because they aren't "diapers" but not impressed. The ones I have say to soak in cold water prior to washing. I did that and no odor problems but only dealing with urinary incontinence. I have them and mostly use disposables but the volume is increasing

elhijo · January 1

Happy New Year!

elhijo · January 1

@cdgbdr What's the name of the brand you bought?

I tried @Emily 123 's suggestion last night and it worked. I used a different (cheaper) brand of diaper as a booster pad, making sure there's proper airflow and it worked with the main diaper to soak up more pee. I also read on here that you should use something like 2 or 3 underpads. This worked for me as when I change my LO sometimes she'll pee right before I put on the new diaper and because she's heavy it's not a simple change. So for me, putting in 3 underpads worked. That way if one get soiled during changing, the other two can capture liquid so I don't have to change and wash the entire bedding again. So a good start to 2025 already.

harshedbuzz · January 1

@elhijo

Make sure you're using a pad that is intended to be used as a booster and that doesn't have a waterproof backing.

You might need to try a few different brands if she has sensitive skin as materials might vary. Places like Northshore and Parentgiving do sell samples so you don't have to commit to an entire package of something that won't work for your needs.

One of the men in our IRL support group tried cloth diapering when his wife had some skin breakdown. He and his wife had been cloth-diaperers with their children and it didn't seem to phase him but at the end of the day changing to a more robust barrier cream is what made the difference.

HB

cdgbdr · January 1

The brand I bought for DH is Carer. Some were far more expensive. I'm ok using them at times but glad I didn't go to great expense.

Anyone have any luck with washable adult diapers?

Comments

Commonly Used Abbreviations

Community Guidelines

Categories