When it comes to incontinence, we're here to answer all your questions. Here are some of the most common questions about adult diapers and briefs we've been asked and their answers.

• 1. What are briefs for incontinence?
• 2. Why do adults wear diapers?
• 3. How many adults wear diapers?
• 4. What are the best adult diapers?
• 5. Where can I buy adult diapers?
• 6. Does Medicare cover adult diapers?

1. What are briefs for incontinence?

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Many people prefer the term 'briefs' to refer to adult diapers; however, they are essentially the same thing - wearable incontinence products similar to baby diapers.

2. Why do adults wear diapers?

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Adult diapers, or briefs, are used primarily by adults with incontinence. Other common conditions that adult diapers are used for include mobility impairment, dementia or severe diarrhea.

This is especially true for individuals who have fecal incontinence or heavy urinary incontinence, since adult diapers are highly absorbent and offer the biggest area of coverage. Briefs are also used for bedridden individuals as they can be easier for a caregiver to change than pull up underwear.

3. How many adults wear diapers?

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Let's start at the beginning: how many U.S. adults have urinary incontinence? According to the Urology Care Foundation, as many as 1 out of every 3 adults in America suffer from an overactive bladder or other urinary incontinence issues. Although the majority of these individuals are above 50 years of age, incontinence can affect adults of any age.

With so many adults suffering from incontinence, adult diaper sales are going up - and up and up and up. In fact, in Japan, adult diaper sales already surpass that of baby diapers - and America isn't too far from the same.

4. What are the best adult diapers?

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The best adult diapers are the ones that are best for you. That might sound like a lame thing to say, but it's not - everyone is different, and different diapers work differently for different people.

That doesn't mean you need to try out every diaper on the market, though - if you follow these guidelines, you'll be able to narrow down your choices to the two or three options that will best suit your needs.

Price

Before we start discussing the different types of adult diapers, the available features and other considerations you need when purchasing, let's talk about the cost.

Of course, many people are willing to spend whatever it takes to get the protection they need, but as you'll see in the chart below, price isn't always an indicator of quality. Therefore, it's important to get an idea of what absorbency level you are looking for, and then look for something that is marked as absorbent enough but is also reasonably priced.

So let's dive into some prices examples to get a clear picture of how much you should be spending.

For the sake of comparison, let's take a few of our most popular briefs and compare the prices (which are subject to change at any time) per diaper when you buy a case of Medium.

Please keep in mind that this list is intended only as an example of price differences and does not reflect our full selection, nor are we endorsing these specific products or their manufacturers.

 

As you can see from this chart, briefs generally cost between 40¢ to $1 or more. These prices vary according to sizes, and it's also important to note that specialized adult diapers, such as bariatric briefs, may cost $1 - $2 each.

Another great take-away from this chart is that, despite (okay, partially because of) the low price of the Protection Plus Briefs, they are just as popular as the Tranquility and ComfortAire brands.

In fact, we've heard directly from customers who have purchased low cost, high absorbency briefs such as these that they are doing a great job managing the mess - so before you jump in and start spending double the price just for the heck of it, you might want to give a cheaper adult diaper a try; you may be saving yourself a lot of money down the line.

Size

When you're looking for protection from incontinence issues, sizing is one of the most important factors. If the wearable incontinence product is too small or too big for the user, besides the problem of discomfort, you will likely not get reliable protection.

So before you can put any brief  into the shopping cart, you're going to need to know what size you're getting.

Some products make it easy by listing the waist sizes right on the package or in the product description - but it's not always that easy. But that gives you a great hint already: we're looking for waist sizes.

This is the most important measurement considered when sizing briefs, so check your waist size or that of your loved one before you start shopping to avoid any ordering mistakes. When the waist size isn't listed on the product page, give a quick call to the company so they can help you find that.

Keep in mind that not all sizes mean the same thing. In the price chart above, the products listed are all listed as size Medium - but they're not all the same measurements, meaning that size names like Small, Medium and Large aren't the best way to decide which one is best for you; instead, you  need to refer to the waist size.

Another important sizing factor with incontinence diapers is how fitted the leg openings will be around the user's legs. If the opening is larger than standard (or the user's legs are particularly thin), certain products will work better than others. For this consideration, the best way to ascertain the fit is to try one or two brands and see what works best.

Note that for most customers, this isn't usually an issue. Only about 1 in 10 customers will need to try a second or third product in order to get proper leakage protection around the legs.

Absorbency

What absorbency level do you need? Or in layman's terms, how much leakage protection do you need? That's a great question - and we have a great answer. The following chart was created with you in mind, to help you understand the various levels of incontinence leakage and their corresponding absorbency level.

Other Considerations for Adult Diapers

There are other considerations to keep in mind, with some being more important than others:

Disposable vs. Reusable: When dealing with incontinence, the price of adult diapers used over time can add up - and so can the amount of waste generated. For these reasons, some people choose to forgo the convenience of disposable diapers in favor of the more price-effective and environment friendly reusable adult briefs.

If you need maximum protection, though, it's important to note that reusable products can provide decent protection, but the best protection is only available in their disposable counterparts. In addition, disposable incontinence diapers generally provide better odor control than reusable products.

Comfort: Whether you prefer a cloth-like backing, a plastic backing, or if the diaper you ordered simply doesn't feel right, there are many different options available so you can find an adult brief that provides ideal comfort.

Dry Technology: Keep your skin healthy by keeping it dry with Dry Technology. This feature, which is built into many briefs, wicks the moisture away from the skin and into the core of the diaper to maintain skin dryness and prevent breakdown.

Fit: Some adult diapers are more discreet than others. Finding a diaper that is well fitted and features a slimmer build is especially important for active users who prefer to wear something during the day that isn't visible under their clothes.

Leak Guards: Most adult diapers have leak guards, which are cuffs along the edges of the leg openings, to provide better leakage protection. If this extra security is important for you, double-check that the product you're considering is equipped with leak guards.

Closures: There are many different types of closures available, and for some people, this may be a consideration when choosing between different brief options.

Odor Guard: If you are looking for a product that features odor guard, check out our selection of disposable briefs, since most of them have this option.

Wetness Indicator: This is another feature commonly found in disposable products and is important to help with timing diaper changes. This feature is especially helpful for users who are changed by caregivers.

5. Where can I buy adult diapers?

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That's an easy one - the best place to buy adult diapers is AvaCare Medical. We're not just saying that to make sales - it's true.

Here's why:

Selection - From youth size to bariatric and every size in between; from low to maximum and overnight absorbency levels; from Depends to Tranquility to AbriForm to Protection Plus - we've got the exact diaper you need.

Quality - Not all briefs are created equal: some diapers are about as absorbent as a turtle's shell, while others never leak a thing. Still others seem to be made to fit some kind of non-existent body shape.

Because there are so many quality issues with diapers today, it's important to get your diapers from a medical supply store that specializes in incontinence products (like AvaCare Medical, for example), so you know you're getting your money's worth.

Price - Speaking of money, everyone wants to save, and we help you do just that by offering you the best prices on the web. If you ever do find a better price, though, be sure to let us know - we guarantee to price match it for you.

Support - We're not a nameless, faceless website manned by robots: we're real people who truly care about your struggles, and we're here to help you deal with it all. We stand behind every product we sell and we'll work with you until you find the perfect product that meets all your specifications.

Free Samples - We get that it's hard to know which adult diaper makes the most sense for your needs. Even if you know the size, absorbency level and style you're looking for, it's still hard to know which exact product will suit you best. That's why we offer free samples on most of our incontinence products.

To place an order for samples, simply give us a call and let us know what you're looking for - and if you're not sure, we'll recommend a few bestsellers for you to try out.

Convenience - No long lines, no long waits - we provide you with a fast, easy checkout process and quick turnaround, with a 1-day shipping guarantee and free delivery on all orders over $50.

Of course, you can go ahead and buy a pack of briefs at your local pharmacy, but you'll get less selection, significantly lower quality, no support, no free samples, and less convenience. The choice is yours.

6. Does Medicare cover adult diapers?

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Unfortunately, as of now, Medicare does not cover the cost of adult diapers. However, with our low prices, frequent sales and bulk discounts, AvaCare Medical makes briefs affordable and attainable for everyone.

Do you have something to add? There’s nothing like personal experience! Let us know by calling or emailing us, and we’ll make sure to update our information.

At AvaCare Medical, we’re here to help you find the adult diaper that works for your needs. If you’re still confused about your options, give us a call today at 1-877-813-7799.

Disclaimer: No information presented on this website is medical advice or intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician. All information on this website concerning medical conditions is from publicly available sources.

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