Washable adult diapers

[Handyweatherstation]

We need some for my dad, but I've never looked into this before. Are there any particular good or bad ones, please?

Have you spoken to the Continence Nurse from your GP surgery?

I would say disposable ones. I work in hospitals and I have never known of washable ones. I agree, a continence assessment with the gp or nurse would be a good idea. They follow a check list which narrows down the options for you. Not all patients need complete disposable underwear as some pads will do the job.

I work in the elderly care, and I have never heard about washable diapers for adults.
But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. But I have never seen it.

Like a previous poster mentioned, some people don't need a whole diaper, just a large pad to put in the underwear. But that is still a disposable pad to change and throw away. I have never heard about one that you wash and use again.

Please 🙏 as a nurse do not call them diapers.

It is really undignified .

I apologize.
English is not my first language.
What should I call them?

I should mention, I do not work in an English-speaking country.
Some of the persons I care for call them our equivalent word for diapers themselves. Some of the persons I care for call them "underwear protection" (equivalent word).
I always follow their lead, use the same word as they do, and I am very respectful. I do my best.

I am genuinley interested to hear what word a UK nurse would use!
Sorry to derail the thread!

We call them incontinence pads x

Thanks, I didn't realise what they were called. Apologies if I've offended anyone.

The issue is that my dad needs incontinence pants/pads of some sort and I thought you could get washable ones because I've seen them advertised. I don't live near my dad so have not spoken to his GP or any of the nurses. My mother tells me that she's finding the disposable ones expensive, so I'm trying to find out something that might help with the costs of the care my dad needs. Whilst his condition has been difficult for some time now, things have escalated recently and the family is struggling to figure things out.

I think the problem with washable incontinence products could be the volume of urine an adult produces - toddler washable nappies are rather bulky and that's for much smaller quantities of liquid.

I have seen advertised washable ones that are designed more for a leak rather than to catch everything, as it were. They're marketed by the companies that also sell period pants,
but probably there are male versions too.

You can get washable incontinence pants, which are mainly suitable if the person has a "dribble" when they can't quite make it to the loo, or the bladder doesn't empty fully when using the toilet.

But for someone who needs more absorbency, they probably wouldn't be enough on their own.

To be honest I've no idea how much urine he produces. He can no longer use his legs so getting him to the loo is difficult and he uses a pee bottle most of the time, but sometimes there are accidents. My mum said she paid something like £60 for a big pack of incontinence pads the other day, so we're just looking for a solution that won't be too expensive.

@WhoWants2Know do you know of any brands to recommend? I don't know the full details of the issue, whether it's just a dribble or what but will ask.

OP, he needs to get assessed - as far as I know he could potentially get them on prescription if he meets the criteria (I don't know what the criteria is or if it's the same everywhere)

DM used Tena incontinence pants. If your mother speaks to the GP social services will supply one pack a month free but this only covers 1 a day. We purchased from Inc Choice who seemed to be the cheapest we could find. That said, depending on the size needed, we often see packs in charity shops quite cheap.

@Rocknrollstar thank you, this is the sort of info I'm looking for.

@GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut I was told there's a social worker visiting in a week or so and will tell my mum to speak to them about incontinence matters. We're at a new stage of my dad's decline and it's all quite overwhelming. Knowing what to do or where to turn for help isn't easy.

He needs a continence assessment. This would be a health assessment rather than social care. Does he have District Nurses visiting for any reason? As they might be the quickest route. Otherwise ask the GP to refer for this.

Buying pads can be very expensive so if you can get something on prescription that might be better. I found some washable options on the Age UK shop website and they say how much fluid they can hold, so it might be worth trying one pair.

They have some here but it depends on your dad's needs. These only hold a smallish amount compared to pads and may leak if it all comes at once.

Is she claiming attendance allowance? It is about £100 a week for the higher rate and £60 for the lower rate
Came through really quickly for us and backdated to the claim date.

If he has a continence assessment, then from what I understand, the products are classified as a 'health need' are are free or on prescription, so they would be discounted in price

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

Thanks for this, I'll tell them he needs a continence assessment. Getting something on prescription would make a big difference.

I don't know if there's a district nurse visiting but will ask.

Yes, she is but I don't know the rate.

https://www.ageukincontinence.co.uk/incontinence-shop/incontinence-by-gender/mens-incontinence-products/washable-pants-for-men.html

In the meantime or if he ends up needing more than he can get prescribed it may be worth looking on Facebook Market place. I often see them go up for free or cheap.

Thank you for the helpful suggestions so far, they're much appreciated. Have to go out now but will respond later.