15 Ways Absorbent Hygiene Products Can Help Make Caregiving Easier

Our absorbent hygiene experts have identified more than a dozen attributes that make the task of caregiving easier. Each meets one or more of the basic needs that consumers look for: confidence, convenience, consistency, comfort, and cost management. Manufacturers like you are considering these features when deciding how their products can best support caregivers—and impact decisions the next time they are shopping for hygiene articles.

Reducing Leaks and the Need for Cleanup

• #1 Faster Absorption and Wicking - An absorbent diaper or pad core that responds quickly can be essential to those who experience a rapid release of fluid, common to certain types of incontinence. This typically requires that supporting features acquire and hold the insult long enough for the core to fully absorb it.
• #2 Elastic Leg Cuffs - Elastic strands at leg cuffs in baby diapers and adult incontinence products help to support leak protection and healthier skin. Designs with double leg cuffs can be seen as offering less hassle in the long run.
• #3 Extended Size Options - Improper fit can result in bunching, over-extension, or misalignment, increasing the chance of leaks. Soiled clothing in turn can lead to risks with skin health. A wider range of sizes can be beneficial, especially for those who have to wait for a change.

Minimizing Unnecessary Changes to Save Time and Money

• #4 More Complete Absorption - Personal care products that distribute and hold more insult before needing changes (or before leaks occur) offer cost savings, as well as enhanced cleanliness and comfort. Garments with channel cores and tampons with spiral grooves are recent innovations addressing this area of concern.
• #5 Wetness Indicators - Once a luxury feature, wetness indicators are becoming more and more popular. Many caregivers especially appreciate indicators that offer a fast and clear color change, even in dimmer light. This saves waking babies, patients, or elders unnecessarily.

Making Changes Easier for All Involved

• #6 Pant-Style Diapers/Elastic Waists - Underwear-like products with elastic strands at the waist offer easy fit without the hassle of tabs and tapes. Another advantage: They automatically adjust for a snug-yet-comfortable fit.
• #7 Easy-Open Sides - Pulling down dirty diapers can create a mess. Designs that can be torn open make for quicker, cleaner removal of a soiled pant-style product.

Supporting Skin Health (so Caregivers Don’t Have to)

• #8 Improved Wicking and Topsheets That Minimize Rewet - Keeping moisture—especially waste—away from the skin is crucial in supporting skin health. Lingering wetness increases the chance of skin rashes, sores, and irritation.
• #9 Softer Substrates - Reduced friction against the skin also helps to avoid irritation. Softer fibers, like cotton, are used to create more gentle nonwoven substrates. Some consumers especially favor natural materials for their perceived benefits for skin health.
• #10 Creams and Lotions - Additives are another application used to shield the skin and restore healthy balance. Shoppers may look for the “with lotion” callout on packaging of products offering natural balms such as aloe, applied to topsheets.
• #11 Breathable Materials - Reducing heat build-up is another area of concern, especially for those who cannot (or will not) communicate their discomfort. Too much heat, even when dry, can damage the skin. Caregivers appreciate products that can balance excellent leak protection with breathability, supporting healthier skin.

Simplifying Product Purchasing

• #12 Clear, Industry-Aligned Terminology on Packaging - Transparency in communication is highly valued by today’s consumers. This means using verbiage that avoids confusion and frustration for those buying or comparing products. Examples include alignment on the terminology for types of articles, conditions, product sizes, and more.
• #13 Subscription and Delivery Services - Another benefit caregivers enjoy is making fewer trips to the store. Product subscriptions and delivery help ensure hygiene articles are always on hand.

Enhancing Quality of Life

The final two features offer less direct benefits to the caregiver. Instead, they help to create a more positive atmosphere. These stress-reducers foster a sense of normality in the midst of a caregiving situation.

• #14 Thinner Products for Comfort and Discretion - Hygiene articles with a slimmer design offer a more natural, underwear-like feel. The result is improved comfort and a less-obvious product profile beneath the clothing.
• #15 Low Product Odor - Articles with an aroma—especially fresh hygiene articles—can be off-putting to the individual, caregivers, and even to visitors. For institutions where products may be stored in bulk, this scent can be intensified. Minimizing the overall odor profile of your product reduces the chance of negative reactions and associations.

 

¹ Raymond Chimhandamba, Attached to Hygiene, episode 40; Chirag Virani, Attached to Hygiene, episode 38

² ibid.

³ Ali Angus on Euromonitor’s Top Consumer Trends of 2023, Attached to Hygiene, episode 53

⁴ E.g., https://tslhealthcare.com/who-we-work-with/industry-bodies/

⁵ Raymond Chimhandamba, Attached to Hygiene, episode 40

⁶ https://padsonaroll.com/