Adult diaper

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An adult diaper (or adult nappy in Australian English, British English, and Hiberno-English) is a diaper made to be worn by a person with a body larger than that of an infant or toddler. Diapers can be necessary for adults with various conditions, such as incontinence, mobility impairment, severe diarrhea or dementia. Adult diapers are made in various forms, including those resembling traditional child diapers, underpants, and pads resembling sanitary napkins (known as incontinence pads). Superabsorbent polymer is primarily used to absorb bodily wastes and liquids.

Contents

Adult diaper IncontinenceProduct.jpg
Adult diaper

Alternative terms such as "briefs", "incontinence briefs", or "incontinence products" are also used.

Global market

The size of the adult diaper market in 2016 was $9.8 billion, an increase from $9.2 billion in 2015. [1] Adult diaper sales in the United States were projected to rise 48 percent from 2015 to 2020, compared to 2.6 percent for baby diapers. [2] The adult incontinence market in Japan was $1.8 billion in 2016, about 20 percent of the world market. [2]

Uses

Health care

"Although donning a diaper to decrease the number of bathroom stops is not something you or I would think to do, otherwise healthy adults do wear diapers more often than we realize for good reasons."

—Merlene Davis of the Lexington Herald-Leader , referring to the Lisa Nowak incident and adult diaper usage in general. [3] [4]

People with medical conditions which cause them to experience urinary or fecal incontinence often require diapers or similar products because they are unable to control their bladders or bowels. People who are bedridden or in wheelchairs, including those with good bowel and bladder control, may also wear diapers because they are unable to access the toilet independently. Those with cognitive impairment, such as dementia, may require diapers because they may not recognize their need to reach a toilet.

Men's and women's adult diapers in the form of underpants. Adult diapers in Tel Aviv.jpg
Men's and women's adult diapers in the form of underpants.

Absorbent incontinence products come in a wide range of types (drip collectors, pads, underwear and adult diapers), each with varying capacities and sizes. The largest volume of products that is consumed falls into the lower absorbency range of products, and even when it comes to adult diapers, the cheapest and least absorbent brands are used the most. This is not because people choose to use the cheapest and least absorbent brands, but rather because medical facilities are the largest consumer of adult diapers, and they have requirements to change patients as often as every two hours. As such, they select products that meet their frequent-changing needs, rather than products that could be worn longer or more comfort. [5]

An adult male in a disposable diaper worn backwards (usually there is a way to tell the front from the back of a disposable diaper; in this picture the gray rectangle is on the back of the diaper, meaning it is being worn backwards). Adult male in a disposible diaper.jpg
An adult male in a disposable diaper worn backwards (usually there is a way to tell the front from the back of a disposable diaper; in this picture the gray rectangle is on the back of the diaper, meaning it is being worn backwards).
Adult diaper AdultDiaper1.jpg
Adult diaper

Specialty diapers are required for swimming or pool therapy. These are known as swim diapers or containment swim briefs. They are intended mainly for fecal incontinence, however they can also be useful for temporary urine containment, to maintain dignity while transferring from change room to pool. Manufacturers such as Discovery Trekking, Splash About and Theraquatics commonly utilize a stretch fabric [6] to allow increased adjustability for a snug fit. They are washable and reusable.

Law

The case Hiltibran et al v. Levy et al in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri resulted in that court issuing an order in 2011. That order requires adult diapers funded by Medicaid to be given by Missouri to adults who would be institutionalized without them. [7] [8] [9]

Astronauts

Astronauts wear trunklike diapers called "Maximum Absorbency Garments", or MAGs, during liftoff and landing. [10] On space shuttle missions, each crew member receives three diapers—for launch, reentry and a spare in case reentry has to be waved off and tried later. [11] The super-absorbent fabric used in disposable diapers, which can hold up to 400 times its weight, was developed so Apollo astronauts could stay on spacewalks and extra-vehicular activity for at least six hours. [3] [4] Originally, only female astronauts would wear Maximum Absorbency Garments, as the collection devices used by men were unsuitable for women; however, reports of their comfort and effectiveness eventually convinced men to start wearing the diapers as well. [12] Public awareness of astronaut diapers rose significantly following the arrest of Lisa Nowak, a NASA astronaut charged with attempted murder, who gained notoriety in the media when the police reported she had driven 900 miles, with an adult diaper so she would not have to stop to urinate. [13] The diapers became fodder for many television comedians, as well as being included in an adaptation of the story in Law & Order: Criminal Intent , despite Nowak's denial that she wore them. [14]

Fetishism

Adult diapers are also associated with a number of sexual fetishes including diaper fetishism, in which the diaper itself is considered the main object of erotic enhancement, comfort, style, and other positive emotions. Diapers are also a common component of paraphilic infantilism and omorashi, and are occasionally a part of certain BDSM scenes. [15]

Increasingly, some companies that make or sell adult diapers have begun to supply products that specifically target and appeal to the kink community, often with higher absorbency or vibrant, cute or playful designs.

Other

Other situations in which diapers are worn because access to a toilet is unavailable or not allowed for longer than even a normal urinary bladder can hold out include; [16]

"Diapers are something that people don't want to look at, but if you make them attractive, then people can learn about them more easily."

—Kiyoko Hamada of the Aging Lifestyle Research Center, a leading organizer of the 2008 Tokyo diaper fashion show. [31]

The adult diaper market in Japan is growing. [32] On September 25, 2008, Japanese manufacturers of adult diapers conducted the world's first all-diaper fashion show, dramatizing throughout it many informative dramatic scenarios which addressed various issues relevant to older people in diapers. "It was great to see so many different types of diapers all in one showing," said Aya Habuka, 26. "I learned a lot. This is the first time that diapers are being considered as fashion." [33]

In May 2010, the Japanese adult diaper market expanded to be used as an alternative fuel source. The used diapers are shred, dried, and sterilized to be turned into fuel pellets for boilers. The fuel pellets amount for 1/3 the original weight and contains about 5,000 kcal of heat per kilogram. [34]

In September 2012, Japanese magazine SPA!  [ ja ] described the trend of wearing diapers among Japanese women. [35] [36]

There are those who believe diapers are a preferable alternative to using the toilet. According to Dr Dipak Chatterjee of Mumbai newspaper Daily News and Analysis , public toilet facilities are so unhygienic that it is actually safer for people—especially women—who are vulnerable to infections to wear adult diapers instead. [37] Seann Odoms of Men's Health magazine believes that wearing diapers can help people of all ages to maintain healthy bowel function. He himself claims to wear diapers full-time for this purported health benefit. "Diapers," he states, "are nothing other than a more practical and healthy form of underwear. They are the safe and healthy way of living." [38] Author Paul Davidson argues that it should be socially acceptable for everyone to wear diapers permanently, claiming that they provide freedom and remove the unnecessary hassle of going to the toilet, just as social advancement has offered solutions to other complications. He writes, "Make the elderly finally feel embraced instead of ridiculed and remove the teasing from the adolescent equation that affects so many children in a negative way. Give every person in this world the opportunity to live, learn, grow and urinate anywhere and anytime without societal pressure to "hold themselves in."" [39]

Dignity issues

The usage of adult diapers [40] can be a source of embarrassment, [41] and products are often marketed under euphemisms such as incontinence pads.

In 2006, seventeen students taking a geriatrics pharmacotherapy course participated in a voluntary "diaper experience" exercise to help them understand the impact incontinence has on older adults. The students, who wore adult diapers for a day before writing a paper about it, described the experience as unfamiliar and physically challenging, noting that being in diapers had a largely negative impact on them and that better solutions to incontinence are required. However, they praised the exercise for giving them insight into incontinence and the effect it has on peoples' lives. [42]

In 2008, Ontario's Minister of Health George Smitherman revealed that he was considering wearing adult diapers himself to test their absorbency following complaints that nursing home residents were forced to remain in unchanged diapers for days at a time. Smitherman's proposal earned him criticism from unions who argued that the priority was not the capacity of the diapers but rather staff shortages affecting how often they were changed, and he later apologized. [43] [44] [45] [46]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diaper</span> Undergarment for incontinence containment

A diaper or a nappy is a type of underwear that allows the wearer to urinate or defecate without using a toilet, by absorbing or containing waste products to prevent soiling of outer clothing or the external environment. When diapers become wet or soiled, they require changing, generally by a second person such as a parent or caregiver. Failure to change a diaper on a sufficiently regular basis can result in skin problems around the area covered by the diaper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urinary incontinence</span> Uncontrolled leakage of urine

Urinary incontinence (UI), also known as involuntary urination, is any uncontrolled leakage of urine. It is a common and distressing problem, which may have a large impact on quality of life. It has been identified as an important issue in geriatric health care. The term enuresis is often used to refer to urinary incontinence primarily in children, such as nocturnal enuresis. UI is an example of a stigmatized medical condition, which creates barriers to successful management and makes the problem worse. People may be too embarrassed to seek medical help, and attempt to self-manage the symptom in secrecy from others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nocturnal enuresis</span> Involuntary urination while asleep

Nocturnal enuresis (NE), also informally called bedwetting, is involuntary urination while asleep after the age at which bladder control usually begins. Bedwetting in children and adults can result in emotional stress. Complications can include urinary tract infections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menstrual pad</span> Absorbent item worn in the underwear

A menstrual pad, or simply a pad, is an absorbent item worn by women in their underwear when menstruating, bleeding after giving birth, recovering from gynecologic surgery, experiencing a miscarriage or abortion, or in any other situation where it is necessary to absorb a flow of blood from the vagina. A menstrual pad is a type of menstrual hygiene product that is worn externally, unlike tampons and menstrual cups, which are worn inside the vagina. Pads are generally changed by being stripped off the pants and panties, taking out the old pad, sticking the new one on the inside of the panties and pulling them back on. Pads are recommended to be changed every 3–4 hours to avoid certain bacteria that can fester in blood; this time also may differ depending on the kind worn, flow, and the time it is worn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feminine hygiene</span> Personal care products for menstruation, vaginal discharge etc.

Feminine hygiene products are personal care products used during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva and vagina. Products that are used during menstruation may also be called menstrual hygiene products, including menstrual pads, tampons, pantyliners, menstrual cups, menstrual sponges and period panties. Feminine hygiene products also include products meant to cleanse the vulva or vagina, such as douches, feminine wipes, and soap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodnites</span> Disposable undergarments designed for managing Nocturnal Enuresis

Goodnites are diapers designed for managing bedwetting. Goodnites are produced by Kimberly-Clark. The product has also been seen titled as Huggies Goodnites on official Huggies branded webpages.

An incontinence pad is a small, impermeable multi-layered sheet with high absorbency that is used in the incontinence and health-care industries as a precaution against fecal or urinary incontinence. It is generally made of cotton if washable, or paper if disposable. Incontinence diapers are a common incontinence pad. Incontinence pads are usually placed in an undergarment or on a bed or chair under a person. Incontinence pads are manufactured in light and heavy grades which offer a range of absorbencies, often referred to as a 'working capacity', which refers to the true absorbency an incontinence pad offers when in use. These sorts of pads can come as panty-liners, inserts, pads or even available as replacement underwear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bedpan</span> Toilet device for someone confined to bed

A bedpan or bed pan is a device used as a receptacle for the urine and/or feces of a person who is confined to a bed and therefore not able to use a toilet or chamber pot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Training pants</span> Type of incontinence garment

Training pants are undergarments used by incontinent people, typically toddlers, as an aid for toilet training. They are intended to be worn in between the transition between wearing diapers but before they are ready to wear regular underpants. Training pants may be reusable and made of fabric, or they may be disposable. In the US, disposable training pants may also be referred to as "pull-ups", and in the UK, training pants are frequently referred to as nappy pants or trainer pants. The main benefit of training pants over diapers is that unlike traditional diapers, they can be easily pulled down in order to sit on a potty or toilet, and pulled back up for re-use after the person has used the toilet. The main benefit of wearing training pants over regular underpants is that if the person has an accident, they do not soil their environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cloth diaper</span> Diaper made from reusable materials

A cloth diaper or a cloth nappy, also known as reusable diaper or reusable nappy, is a diaper made from textiles such as natural fibers, human-made materials, or a combination of both. Cloth diapers are in contrast to disposable diapers, made from synthetic fibers and plastics. They are often made from industrial cotton which may be bleached white or left the fiber's natural color. Other natural fiber cloth materials include wool, bamboo, and unbleached hemp. Human-made materials such as an internal absorbent layer of microfiber toweling or an external waterproof layer of polyurethane laminate (PUL) may be used. Polyester fabrics microfleece or suedecloth are often used inside cloth diapers as a "stay-dry" wicking liner because of the non-absorbent properties of those synthetic fibers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stress incontinence</span> Form of urinary incontinence from an inadequate closure of the bladder

Stress incontinence, also known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or effort incontinence is a form of urinary incontinence. It is due to inadequate closure of the bladder outlet by the urethral sphincter.

Omorashi, sometimes abbreviated as simply "omo", is a form of fetish subculture first categorized and predominately recognized in Japan, in which arousal from the idea or feeling of having a full bladder and potentially wetting themselves, or from witnessing another person in that situation.

gDiapers are a hybrid diaper, so users can choose to use either a cloth insert or a disposable insert that can be flushed or composted. Co-founders are Jason and Kimberley Graham-Nye. gDiapers began being sold in 2004. gDiapers are licensed from Kuver Designs Pty Ltd, Tasmania, "Eenee designs" diapers.

A Maximum Absorbency Garment (MAG) is an adult-sized diaper with extra absorption material that NASA astronauts wear during liftoff, landing, and extra-vehicular activity (EVA) to absorb urine and feces. It is worn by both male and female astronauts. Astronauts can urinate into the MAG, and usually wait to defecate when they return to the spacecraft. However, the MAG is rarely used for this purpose, since the astronauts use the facilities of the station before EVA and also time the consumption of the in-suit water. Nonetheless, the garment provides peace of mind for the astronauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swim diaper</span> Diaper that is made for those who have fecal incontinence

A swim diaper or swim nappy is a diaper that is made for those who have fecal incontinence, which is worn underneath a bathing suit, or as a bathing suit. Swim diapers can be reusable and disposable. They are not intended to be absorbent, but only to contain solid waste (feces); the lack of absorbency prevents the swim diaper from swelling with water.

Diaper fetishism, nappy fetishism, or diaperism is a type of garment fetish in which a person derives pleasure from wearing or using a diaper. Though separate and distinct, diaper fetishism can also be used as a component of various other kinks, such as ageplay or paraphilic infantilism, which together form a spectrum of practices colloquially referred to as "adult baby/diaper lover" or "AB/DL".

The Rothwell scale, or Rothwell system, or Rothwell method, applied to incontinence care products, is a scale that shows how absorbent a particular incontinence pad or adult diaper is, and how much liquid it can absorb and hold before it is likely to leak due to overfill.

Wemy Industries is a Nigerian company that manufactures and distributes of hygiene products in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market in Nigeria. It was founded in 1978 by Pastor Ademola Odunaiya and his wife, the late Dr. (Mrs.) Aderonke Odunaiya. It launched operations in 1981, and is the first manufacturer of baby diapers in West Africa.

Depend is a brand of absorbent, disposable underwear and undergarments for people with urinary or fecal incontinence. It is a Kimberly-Clark brand, and positions its products as an alternative to typical adult diapers. Depend is the dominant brand of disposable incontinence garments in the United States with a 49.4 share of the market.

Incontinence underwear is a type of reusable undergarment designed to absorb urine. It provides an alternative to traditional disposable incontinence products, which are often bulky and plastic-based. Due to concerns about the environmental impact of disposable products, incontinence underwear is becoming an alternative to pads. Only recently has the textile technology existed to enable the design and manufacture of reusable products with comparable functionality to a disposable pad or diaper.

References

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  2. 1 2 Steger, Isabella (2019-01-28). "The next big innovation in Japan's aging economy is flushable adult diapers". Quartz (publication) . Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Davis, Merlene (February 11, 2007). "I Did My Research on Adult Diapers". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. C1.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Merlene Davis (2007-02-11). "The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky., Merlene Davis Column: I Did My Research on Adult Diapers". RedOrbit. Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  5. ↑ 80% of people with incontinence are wearing the wrong products , Finnegan Medical Supply
  6. ↑ "Discovery Trekking Outfitters - SOSecure Containment Swim Brief". Archived from the original on 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  7. ↑ "Recent Cases - Olmstead Rights". www.olmsteadrights.org.
  8. ↑ "govinfo". www.govinfo.gov.
  9. ↑ "govinfo". www.govinfo.gov.
  10. ↑ "Behind the Scenes: Training". Archived from the original on 2005-09-10.
  11. ↑ Los Angeles Times (9 February 2007). "NASA diapers become topic No. 1". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ↑ "What's The Deal With The Diapers?". Newsweek . 18 February 2007.
  13. ↑ "NASA Astronaut Lisa Nowak Charged With Attempted Murder in Bizarre Love Triangle". Fox News. Archived from the original on 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  14. ↑ "Astronaut's attorney: She did NOT wear diapers - CNN.com". CNN . Archived from the original on 2007-06-29. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
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  41. ↑ Stack, Jennie Borodko (February 2001). "When You've Gotta Go, You've Gotta Go". Muscular Dystrophy Association. Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
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