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| Marlene Ceragno and her organization, The Adult Diaper Brief Bank in New Jersey |
A huge percentage of the US population live below the federal poverty line, and the fastest growing segment of that population is individuals over 85. This means that those who are often the most vulnerable and need the most assistance have the least amount of resources to get what they need. The lack of aging population services is a big problem in our country, and one area is that of incontinence supplies.
Incontinence supplies can be very costly, and are not usually covered by Medicare or insurance. For seniors on fixed incomes, the need to buy incontinence supplies could be causing them to go without other essential things.
If you are a caregiver to an adult with incontinence, senior or otherwise, and are finding it challenging to fund the need for absorbent products, consider diaper banks. Here are the seven things every caregiver should know about adult diaper banks.
1. They exist: Most people do not even know they are out there and available. But they are. Diaper banks are not just for baby diapers anymore. Diaper Banks are expanding to include adult protective briefs. And it is no wonder. With incontinence impacting over 13 million adults, as well as disabled indivduals and older children, there is a real need for adult diapers.
2. Diaper Banks do not usually distribute directly to consumers: While diapers are available to adults through diaper banks, it is important to realize diaper banks generally partner with local social service agencies such as the United Way or the local food bank, instead of distributing directly to the consumer. Contact such services first when looking for a diaper bank.
3. Diaper Banks can be found easily if you know where to look: It can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start, but finding a Diaper Bank in your area is actually fairly easy. Simply log into an internet search engine and type in “diaper bank” along with your city, usually within a few clicks you will have located one. The local diaper bank can then tell you which social services agencies it partners with so you then can contact that agency for assistance.
If a Diaper Bank cannot be found near where you live, try contacting the local food bank, as they may have their own diaper bank or may be able to refer you to another agency who partners with a diaper bank.
4. If your local diaper banks don’t carry adult diapers, you can ask them to. Diaper Banks may not always include adult incontinence products, while many do, baby products tend to be the focus. You can change that, if asked and shown the need, most would start carrying these products. Illustrate the need, and they should be able to help fill it.
5. You can start a diaper bank: This may sound like an overwhelming task, but if you can’t find a local diaper bank, you could start your own, or convince a local organization to start one. There is a real need for this across the country, and it is only growing.
6. A diaper bank can provide temporary relief: If you are feeling overwhelmed with the cost, and Medicare is not covering it, your insurance is not stepping up, and you find that the sometimes over $100 a month cost is too much, and you are trying to make briefs last longer than they should and compromising the seniors’ care and comfort as a result, do not overlook a diaper bank. Often because they are attached to other welfare agencies pride gets in the way. However, if you or your family is in need of some occasional help and adult protective briefs become too expensive, realize help may just be a phone call away. And isn’t that worth giving up a little pride to help your loved one stay dry and comfortable?
7. Diaper banks can be more than a place for diapers: As they often partner with other social services agencies, they can be a great resource for seniors. Some diaper banks provide information for disabled adults and seniors on how to reduce their incontinence, and therefore need fewer briefs. As well as offer other services and help to seniors.
Adult diaper brief banks can be a great tool and resources for caregivers and those with incontinence.
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About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.
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