Incontinence products and adult diapers vary in price as well as in design. When comparing products, here are features to choose from:

Size: Some brands may offer just two sizes, with wide ranges in waist measurements – but provide custom fitting with 2 tab re-fastening closure systems. Others brands are more precisely tailored with several waist measurements for a better fit. Either way, they should fit comfortably – not loose and baggy or ripping if you bend over. If they don’t fit comfortably, find another brand.

Absorbency/capacity/volume: Some brands will give guidelines like light, moderate or heavy incontinence; others will list specific cc’s or fl oz or cups “Overnight” choices usually offer the greatest absorbency.  How is the capacity calculated? They immerse the product, leave it there for a specific amount of time, allow the surface liquid to drain off, and then they weigh it to see how much liquid was absorbed.  This isn’t how it happens in real life situations, so take these measurements as a guideline only.

Elastic leg cuffs: Snug-fitting leg cuffs are important considerations, especially for the active person who wants to feel secure on the go.  You will want to make sure that what your body can’t hold – your incontinence product can.

Odor control: Fortunately, on many hospital grade incontinence products, this is very effective. However, if you are using store bought products, you may have use additional products.

Wetness indicator: This feature, again available on most hospital grade products is important for the user & for caregivers, to know when changing is required.

Adjustable tabs: If your adult diapers don’t have this feature, then you are probably wasting a lot of diapers. Adjustable tabs makes changing the adult diapers easier for both the user & the caregiver. Adjustable tabs allow for a snugger, more comfortable, fit..

Breathable cloth feel: Most of today’s adult diapers are made to feel more like regular underwear, both for comfort and discretion (cloth like diapers don’t have those loud crinkly noises). This is important to minimize embarrassment & preserves a person’s dignity.

Top layer that wicks away moisture: Nobody likes to feel the clamminess of a wet diaper. Look for products that wick moisture away from the skin.

Generally, the more expensive incontinence products choices offer the most options, like the options listed above. This is not always the case.

FACTS ON PRICING – Just because they have the same number of briefs in the packaging – doesn’t mean they are the same quality product.

When you are comparing your incontinence products – be aware that it’s not about the number of adult diapers or bladder control pads in the package – it’s about how much volume each of those products will hold.

If you compare the incontinence products carried in your local store – those brands may hold about 1 cup in volume (for adult diapers only – bladder control pads generally hold quite a bit less).  However, hospital grade products may hold anywhere from 6 cups to 2 litres in volume.  What a difference!

So what?  Well – if you’re wearing adult diapers from your local stores, you may be changing 9 to 10 times a day to stay dry.  Compare that to the 2 to 3 times you will change during the day using hospital quality incontinence products!  Calculate that out for your wallet.  Each of your retail store products cost you approximately 90 cents per brief.  Compare that to hospital grade products that you can find online – will cost you from 50 cents to $1.50 per brief.  You will save 50 to 75% by buying your incontinence products online.

The emergence of online stores that specialize in incontinence products have provided a specialized venue for incontinence products.

No longer do you have to live with using the products available at your local stores that leak, are noisy, don’t fit properly, etc. Now you can get more bang for your buck, higher quality incontinence products for about the same as what you pay for in your local retail stores. The added benefit of shopping online is most online stores also offer discreet shipping, so your neighbors won’t know what’s being delivered to your door!

Now that you know these options are available for you – you can shop smarter for your incontinence products.