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My dad is independent - bathes/showers himself and uses bathroom alone. Currently using Depends, but needs to be able to change throughout the day and/or something with better leak control, etc. Dad is unsteady on his feet and uses a walker. Won't it be difficult for him to put a diaper on himself, reaching around/back to secure side tabs, etc? Anyone with experience with this?

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I think the tab briefs would be a pain. I have a few ideas....I would try to encourage him to use the toilet on a schedule, thus hopefully reducing the overflow. Add an incontinence guard inside the pullup, if only sightly wet it can be changed without having to remove the pull up. I'm not familiar with men's products but I know that for mom Depends were not the most absorbent, there are better brands. Finally, someone on the forum posted a trick to get pullups on without taking off your pants, it took me a little bit of practice before I mastered I think it but it is nothing short of miraculous! First, you do know that the pullups are designed to tear along the sides to remove? Then, while seated with pants down place the pullup inside the pants between the ankles, pull the right side - don't twist keep the back facing down - down through the pant leg and over the foot and back up... one leg on. Now do the other side. Done.
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Grandma is pretty much in the same condition as your dad. She has no problem taking off the diaper, but some putting on a fresh one. Much of the time though, it's because she simply doesn't want to. For her, tabbed ones would be much more difficult than pull ups. Since leaning far enough down seems to be the problem, I got her one of these to use as an extension to get it onto her foot. Once it's up past her ankles it's all good.

amazon.com/RMS-Rotating-Mobility-Extension-Wheelchair/dp/B00THEDNL8

The key to the unsteadiness is that much of it can be done sitting down. She sits on her commode to do it. Put the diaper on, pull up to knees. Put pants back on, pull up to knees. Pull both up as far as they can go sitting down. Stand up using the commode handrails for stability and pull diaper and pants up.
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Maintaining independence is key. However maintaining safety is priceless. I got mom a portable commode. I changed her room around hospital bed, took off both arms. Bought her a nice mattress from Walmart. Commode is next to bed with one arm up. It sits behind her door. A shoe rack hangs on her door for her supplies, depends, large Kotex for night time extra absorbency, baby wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitizer etc. Dollar Tree 4 gal bags great for garbage can where all paper products go into. Depends or Tena brand pull-ups, tear very easy on the sides. My mom was against this at first, but once she saw how less stressed she was against falling, could get to relieve herself much faster, she was cool. Also, I replaced her walker with a transport wheelchair (all 4 wheels are small) Took foot pedals off, lower back handles, she can now walk in chair all over the house. Much safer. Best of Luck
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Cwillie, when the ladies at Dad's facility showed me that trick with the pull-ups, I thought they were geniuses!
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Commutergirl can you share how you keep the smell of the commode down? Thank you for the great advise, I hope it helps Joni and dad.
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I should think Pull-Ups would be easier. Twisting to attach a tab could cause a fall.
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To Isthisrealyreal, my mom uses a bedside commode and every morning after her shower I empty the bucket in the toilet, rinse twice and spray with Nature's Miracle before returning it to the commode. Nature's Miracle can be purchased at any pet shop, it is used for removing odors and stains from urine from carpets. It works wonderfully and I keep a spray bottle full in the bathroom. Can be used on mattresses too.
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I agree with the pull-ups assessment -- my mom never uses adult diapers with tabs. These are all great suggestions. I am spending a fortune on depends, however!
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JoniOC: A company called Buck & Buck makes adaptive clothing for elders. I was thinking if he could get a pant that could come off easily while he sits on the toilet (kind of like with velcro tabs on each side), he could get them off while sitting on the toilet and then put on a fresh Depends For Men OR an underpant with a pad that is washable. I don't know if this approach would work, but it could be worth a try BEARING IN MIND THE SAFETY OF THE ELDER.
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I think pull ups are the best - put them on to the knees while sitting down on toilet then stand & pull rest of way up then sit again to do same with pants making sure the hems are pulled high enough no to be stepped on

When my knees were bad [now replaced] I had to dress sitting down & still do because I figured by time I retrained myself I would be old enough to go back so just shortened it all by not bothering - I put on underwear, pants and bra [I wear a pull up sports style best put on that way] all up to my knees then stand up & pull rest of way - this way I am never on 1 foot or off balanced - pull ups could be done same way - hope this helps
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