Changing an adult diaper for the first time can be an inconvenient experience for everyone involved. The key is to stay polite and calm while providing the person with self-respect, convenience, and the best service feasible.
When doing an adult diaper change, there are many scenarios to consider. The first step is to determine where the person will be positioned during the nappy change. Will they be sitting, lying flat, or standing? We’ll give you a high-level overview of each position down below.
What Supplies Do I Need To Change The Adult Diaper Of A Loved One?
Wipes to provide a fresh, refreshing clean while guarding caregivers’ hands against incontinence. Depending on your requirements, you also might want to search for characteristics such as:
Scented versus fragrance-free: A scented wipe will have a more pleasant scent.
Non-flushable vs. flushable: the non-flushable options are longer-lasting and less inclined to tear.
Gloves: Gloves come in three varieties; they improve safety and hygiene while changing a loved one.
Nitrile is highly resilient and less likely to tear, but it is more costly than the other alternatives.
Latex is long-lasting and inexpensive but not suitable for those allergic to latex.
Vinyl is the most cost-effective option, ideal for caregivers who change multiple products per day and require a low-cost solution.
If necessary, apply a skin protectant or a cleansing cream.
How Do I Change An Adult Diaper If My Loved One Is Bedridden or Immobile?
Begin by removing the current incontinence product
- For many carers, significantly if you haven’t changed many adult diapers in the past, resting your loved one on an expendable underpad is an excellent place to start. These breathable pads will help keep your furniture clean.
- Ascertain that your loved one is lying on their rear, on top of the expendable underpad.
- Pull the front panel down by unsticking the tabs attached to it.
- Clean any incontinence on the front of the body with a hygienic wipe.
How to Change an Adult Diaper
- Clean your hands and, if desired, put on a new pair of gloves.
- Place your loved one on their side.
- The adult diaper is folded lengthwise.
- Slide the diaper between their legs, ensuring the tabbed side is in the back.
- Spread your backside across your loved one’s behind.
- Roll your loved one onto their back and place them on the back panel.
- Pull up the front panel and place it over their belly.
- Attach the tabs across their waists.
- For products with one tab on each side, place the tab in the location that appears to be the most stable for your loved one.
- If the product has two tabs, fix the bottom tab directly across the product. Pull the top tap straight down so that it is angled down.
Steps for changing an adult diaper on a lying-down patient
- Gently roll the patient onto their side. Place the diaper with the flap closest to the body folded under.
- Gently roll the patient back and unfold the flap.
- Proceed to the final steps for all of the positions listed below.
Steps for changing an adult diaper on a sitting patient
- Place the backing/plastic cover of the diaper against the back of the chair.
- Place the patient on the diaper.
- Proceed to the final steps for all of the positions listed below.
Steps for changing an adult diaper on a standing patient
- Steps for changing an adult diaper on an immobile patient:
- Allow the person to stand while holding onto something for assistance to prevent them from falling.
- Place a clean diaper from front to back between the person’s legs.
- Proceed to the final phases for all of the positions listed below.
Final Procedures for All Positions
- Lift the diaper firmly out and then up. The diaper should be snugly fitting in the groin. Smooth the front softly.
- Bottom tabs should be fastened first, angled up. For the best fit, retighten top tabs downward facing.
- If the diaper has a hook – and – loop tabs, give the anchor hooks in the back cover fibers a gentle tug.
- Pull the seams of the inner thigh down and fit the diaper into the groin to change the diaper.
- Adjust the outerwear.
How Frequently Should I Change the Diaper of a Loved One?
How frequently you change your loved one’s diaper is determined by how often they urinate and the product’s absorbency. You should change most incontinence products 4-6 times per day overall.
Here are some more general guidelines:
- The majority of tab-style diapers have a built-in wetness marker. It would be best to switch to a new product whenever that marker changes color.
- You should change your loved one’s product as soon as they have a bowel movement to help their skin and health properly.
Changing your loved one’s absorbent products regularly is necessary for keeping skin condition, health, and convenience.
Is a Diaper Cream or a Barrier Cream Required?
Using a barrier cream is an excellent way to protect your loved one’s skin from the effects of incontinence. Barrier creams form a waterproof film over the skin, protecting it from potentially harmful moisture.
It’s a good idea to use a barrier cream or diaper cream:
As a precautionary measure, change your loved one every other time. Applying diaper cream regularly can help keep healthy skin.
Instructions
Diaper Size – Is the diaper the correct size?
To guarantee that the person wearing the nappies is confident and relaxed, select a diaper that is appropriately sized for that individual. It should be the right size, convenient to wear, and simple to close.
Getting Ready for Change
When you notice that the diaper you’re using has become soiled and needs to be changed, you should first unfasten the wet diaper from both sides. Flip the patient to one edge and wrap the diaper inwards to avoid any moisture or fecal matter leaking outside the diaper.
Clean the Individual
It’s the same as cleaning a baby after discarding a diaper when dealing with an older adult. Make sure to clean with appropriate wipes, which must be scented and antibacterial, and then try again with another wipe or cloth.
Placing the New Diaper
The new diaper should be worn in the same way, by turning the person over to one edge as much as possible. Stuff the diaper as much as possible, then lay it back down and pull it through from the bottom. Fasten it again, making sure it’s comfortable to wear but not too tight or loose.
