Managing the symptoms of adult incontinence is not easy. While many protection products are available on the market, choosing one can also be a daunting task. However, there is no denying that adult diapers are a godsend in providing incontinence protection. Any caregiver will agree that these specially designed diapers for adults help provide high-quality care. An individual using this form of protection enjoys a boost in self-esteem and ultimately a better quality of life. These diapers also prevent skin infections and promote better hygiene among people suffering from adult incontinence. If you are in the market looking for the best adult incontinence protection, you will have to choose between cloth/washable diapers and disposable adult diapers. It is a decision that troubles most caregivers and you need all the information you can get to choose wisely. In this article, you will read about the pros and cons of these two popular types of diapers to help you make an informed choice.
What are the Cloth Adult Diapers?
Cloth diapers have been around for a long time, and they are still popular today. Cloth diapers are made from cotton, terry cloth, or flannel and are now popular in the adult diapers category. Popular brands that have created a name in baby diapers use the same technology to make specially designed diapers for adults. These diapers feature well-designed shapes fitted to the user, extra loads, and they fit snugly. The major distinguishing quality of these cloth diapers is the fact that you can wash, loads of laundry clean cloth diapers and use them repeatedly. They feel natural on the skin and are thus ideal for use when providing care for immobile individuals.
Pros
In summary, cloth diapers have the following advantages:
i. Cost-savings: When you use cloth diapers, you will spend less in a year compared to when you use disposable incontinence products. Once you buy an adult diaper, you will use it over a long time, and its efficiency levels remain high.
ii. Natural/comfort levels: Cloth materials used for these diapers are natural, safe and skin-friendly. There are no gels, dyes or other chemicals used in them, as you would find in disposable diapers. If you have an immobile person under your care, these diapers work better and reduce the risk of rashes.
iii. Convenient design: Today, adult diapers come in convenient designs with features such as waterproof bands, Velcro or snap closures that make them easy to wear and change. They also come with adjustable features, which make changing the diaper easier.
iv. Eco-friendly: The fact that you reuse the diaper makes a great contribution to the conservation of the environment. There is an increasing concern over the poor disposal of diapers with authorities complaining about the impact that disposable products have on the environment.
Cons
i. Lower absorbency levels: One thing you look for in incontinence products for adults is high absorbency. It is one major drawback for cloth diapers. When compared to disposable diapers the lower absorbency of cloth diapers means you will have to change the diapers more regularly. This means more work for the caregiver.
ii. Inconvenient: Dealing with a soiled diaper is not easy, even for a caregiver. While some cloth diapers come with a disposable liner, cleaning the diaper is still a messy affair. This is one major drawback of using washable diapers.
iii. Cumbersome to change: As a caregiver, you will appreciate how hard it is to change an adult diaper. Now when it comes to a cloth diaper, things get even more cumbersome. Even for diapers that have fasteners, changing them can be a herculean task.
iv. More laundry: If you have an adult under your care, it means you have more laundry to do when you use these washable diapers. This translates to higher electricity and water bills.
v. Risk of rashes: While natural cloth is skin-friendly, the fact that it does not absorb all the moisture leads to skin rashes. Disposable diapers absorb moisture faster thus averting the risk of rashes.
Disposable Adult Diapers
Disposable diapers are all the rage today for many good reasons. Diaper manufacturers make use of cutting-edge technologies to make adult incontinence and disposable diapers that are convenient to use, thus making them popular. For disposables, you only use the product once and throw it away when soiled. The convenience that comes with disposable diapers makes them ideal for individuals who are on the move. If you lead an active lifestyle and experience symptoms of adult incontinence, disposable diapers for adults will work perfectly for you.
The design of these diapers is also different. They are more flexible and come with innovative features such as breathable panels, odorless technology, and anti-leak guards. There are also more sizing options in the market and different products to suit different levels of incontinence.
Pros:-
i. They are made of breathable materials that provide comfort and protection against skin problems.
ii. Higher absorbency levels compared to cloth diapers. This means you need fewer changes and there is less work for the caregiver.
iii. Convenient to change due to the innovative design with strips attached to the back panel that then fastens in front.
iv. Lower risk of skin rashes because of the high absorbent material used.
Cost:-
i. High purchase cost. You have to keep buying these diapers.
ii. Risk of skin problems due to dyes and chemicals used in the materials.
iii. Risk to the environment as they contribute to more landfills; disposable diapers are a now a big problem in most cities because they add to blockages of drains.
iv. Pull-tabs can rip if you pull too hard, which leads to low efficiency and a high risk of leaks.
v. Due to the high cost, they cannot work for immobile adults.
Cloth Diapers or Disposable Diapers
Which one is better? After looking at the pros and cons of cloth and disposable adult diapers, it is obvious that the choice will depend on your specific situation. Cloth diapers save you money but they are messy to handle. Disposable diapers, on the other hand, are costlier but are convenient to use and they are not messy. If you care about the environment (and you should), cloth diapers would seem like the best choice but then again you have to consider the electricity and water bill. In essence, you have to consider your needs and then compare the pros and cons of these incontinence products to determine which one is the best for you.