Improving adult care in TT

Persad, executive sales representative of PV’s Adult Care Suppliers Limited - a retailer of adult diapers and adult briefs, has partnered with Belgian suppliers of adult and baby diapers, Nateen, to make high quality adult diapers available locally.

She told Newsday yesterday it is her hope that people become more understanding about caring for the elderly who suffer with urinary incontinence and need to wear adult diapers.

“Different health issues can cause incontinence,” Persad said.

“Incontinence in this country is heavily on the rise and it can be caused by different lifestyle habits - diabetes, kidney failure or just natural old age.” She said the wearing of adult diapers receives a negative reaction from some people.

“The proper term for it is disposable brief. Either that or adult diaper or adult brief.” Persad said calling them “Pampers” only adds to the demeaning stigma attached to wearing adult diapers.

She said people who wear them do not feel comfortable doing so because of that. She said many people are ashamed to purchase adult diapers and would hide to do so.

However, from her work with geriatric patients, Persad said people are a “little more open” in geriatric homes.

Nateen’s Latin America manager Gustavo Massagli said incontinence and the wearing of adult diapers are simply consequences of life and anyone can eventually have the need to use them.

Massagli said the increase of incontinence globally is as a result of a growing aging population and other lifestyle issues. He said Nateen, a combination of the words “natural” and “green”, is creating “more breathable” diapers which will go a long way in improving incontinence care.

“There are diapers that you have to change eight to 12 times a day because they emit heat and don’t absorb. Nateen diapers absorb up to 5.8 litres of liquid.” He said the diapers have a super absorbent polymer that absorbs liquid and keeps the top layer dry so there is no discomfort for the wearer and can be worn longer.

Massagli said the materials used are 80 per cent biodegradable and help avoid rashes. He said the company’s goal is to have their products made from 100 per cent biodegradable material.

Though the adult care industry is sensitive, Persad believes it is not handled with the extra care required.

V