Disambiguation Part 2: Deciphering the Incontinence Care Product Aisle

As I said in my last post, understanding the different terminology applied to incontinence care products can be a troublesome task. A lot of manufacturers use different names for similar products. Adult diapers or briefs, liners or inserts, guards or pads, slip-ons or pull-ons, protective underwear or discreet underwear, belted undergarments or belted shields: how do you know which is which?

There are six basic categories of incontinent products. Read on to find out more.

Pads or Guards

The first group of products includes pads or guards. These products have the ability to absorb light to moderate amounts of urine. Pads or guards work usually best for women with stress incontinence.

Liners or Inserts

Liners or inserts are larger than pads or guards. This category of product, which is designed to hold more urine, works well for individuals with urge incontinence.

Belted or Beltless Products

Belted or beltless products are also designed for people who have urge or reflex incontinence, but who tend to void more than can be contained in an insert or liner.

Protective Underwear or Discreet Disposable Panties

The fourth category of disposable products is the fastest growing group. It includes protective underwear, which are also known as discreet disposable panties. This category of products is designed to hold more than the first three groups mentioned. These products can be used by both men and women.

Tabbed Briefs

Tabbed briefs comprise a group of products that boast superior absorbency and can be worn by men and women, ambulatory and non-ambulatory individuals.

Disposable Underpads

Disposable underpads can be used by everybody, as they offer surface protection. Unlike the other products, which are designed to be worn against the body, these pads are designed to protect what is under the incontinent person (e.g., linen, mattress or chair). There are about seven standard sizes, which run from 17 x 24 to 27 x 70.

I hope this crash course will help you navigate those treacherous aisles of confusion. Next month, you can look forward to a more detailed breakdown of the categories. And more importantly, I’ll address how to choose the products that are right for you.

Feel free to leave me some comments and stay tuned for my future posts!

Your partner in comfort,

Gary

Disambiguation Part I: Deciphering the Incontinence Care Product Aisle

Posted in Adult Incontinence, Everything about Incontinence, Product Types & Terminology