What To Look For in Overnight Diapers for Seniors and Our Top Picks

Happy senior woman lying awake in bed

Longevity is considered a blessing in most cultures as wisdom is usually an elder person’s trait. In turn, death is often regarded as something nobody should ever have to experience and so people yearn to be able to enjoy many, many more years. This is because living longer means you can spend more time with your loved ones. After all, you’ve spent too much time working and taking care of them and should be able to enjoy their company, right?

So, of course, everyone deserves a healthy and peaceful old age after all the sacrifices and contributions they’ve made to society. Unfortunately, many people fade without enjoying their last years on Earth.

As most of us will eventually have to take care of a loved one who suffers from incontinence, we must be on the lookout for the most discrete form of protection from leakage. An unruly bladder isn’t exclusive to seniors though, it can also result from pregnancy, surgery, and some kind of medical condition.

The good news is there’s such a thing as adult diapers, a type of absorbent undergarment that can help you feel confident about leaving your house and being as active as you’ve always been. People resort to diapers for a variety of reasons such as leakage of urine or stool, but also for bleeding associated with postpartum or menopause. As you can see, it’s important to find a product that’s both comfortable and keeps your skin fresh and dry.

Senior man standing and looking out of window in bedroom after waking up in morning

What To Look For in Overnight Diapers for Seniors

There’s a wide selection of overnight undergarments on the market and you can find anything from super-absorbent overnight diapers to thinner as well as more flexible options for active people. Taking the time to find the product that’s right for you takes time and is often overwhelming, so we’d like to help you by showing you the most popular ones out there.

Types of Disposable Diapers for Adults

There are two types of adult diapers: The pull-up version or pant style diapers are a good choice for those seeking an absorbent undergarment that’s not as bulky and fits more like underwear; and the tape style diapers that come with tabs, are easier for people who have a hard time putting them on and might even have a caregiver who helps them do it. The second is comfortably tighter around the leg, and this feature helps reduce leaks.

Things to Consider When Choosing Disposable Diapers

Finding the right size for you is the first thing you must consider when choosing an adult diaper as one that’s too small won’t only be uncomfortable and cut off your circulation but also overflow. In turn, one that’s too big will leak out the sides.

Long exposure to moisture leads to diaper rash and infection so opt for adult moisture-wicking diapers with a soft, breathable lining. Also, be patient while you’re testing new products, and be ready for some trial and error before you find the disposable garment that’s just perfect for your needs.

What To Look For in Overnight Diapers for Seniors and Our Top Picks

You’re probably not sure where to begin, so let us take you through some products currently listed on Amazon. Most come with decent ratings and reviews and we’re going to mention some of the things customers who’ve bought the products have to say about them so you can take it all into consideration.

Adult XL Incontinence Underwear
$75.99 ($1.58 / Count)

by LivDry 

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02/19/2024 06:42 pm GMT

LivDry Adult XL Incontinence Underwear

These oversized diapers for seniors promise overnight comfort, absorbency, and leak protection for a heavy wetter of any gender who experiences bladder leaks or loss of control. They’re designed for maximum comfort, ultimate protection, and bedtime-to-rise reassurance.

The diapers are designed for overnight incontinence protection so you can sleep instead of worrying about the trick your bladder will play on you throughout the night. These pull-up diapers offer high absorbency and discreet shipping. They also feature a leakage barrier cuff to guard against leaks as well as an ultra-absorbent gel core that quickly locks away fluid and helps reduce odors. The soft, cloth-like, latex-free material with stretch panels contours to your body for a comfortable fit, and the tear-away sides allow for easy removal. Similarly, the colored stitching makes it easy for you to figure out where the front is.

A rather dissatisfied Amazon customer is disappointed because the diapers in the picture made him think he was buying briefs but it’s no different than baby diapers and thus, hard to use. It might be great for a caregiver to use on a patient who is lying down but it’s definitely not a pull-up brief. Also, he doesn’t recommend buying them as they don’t absorb fast enough and, thus, leak.

One reviewer likes the color and comfort these provide while another says the diapers are uncomfortable for walking around and are best for sitting down but don’t keep him dry at night as he sleeps on his back.

However, one review boasts a 5-star rating, stating the overnight absorbency of this protective underwear is outstanding and that they truly are the best urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence briefs she’s bought for one of her parents who is 165 pounds and a heavy overnight wetter. She adds that these diapers haven’t leaked once. Not even during early morning compression – the leakage that happens when sitting on the side of the bed for bed-to-wheelchair transfer. The gussets prevent side leakage and are sized appropriately so she’s quite happy to have found a nighttime diaper she can trust.

Incontinence Underwear for Men and Women
$13.39 ($0.84 / Count)

by Amazon Basics 

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02/19/2024 06:38 pm GMT

Amazon Basics Incontinence Underwear for Men and Women, Overnight Absorbency

This incontinence underwear for men and women works overnight to quickly lock away wetness and the Dri-Fit technology helps control moisture and temperature to help your skin stay dry, comfortable, and healthy. Likewise, the dual odor control system effectively helps neutralize odors to keep you feeling fresh throughout the night. These provide the feel of regular underwear and offer urinary leakage protection you can depend on.

The package contains 16 pairs of unisex overnight absorbency incontinence underwear, identical in manufacturing and formulation to the Solimo brand. Furthermore, the cotton-enhanced top sheet helps wick away moisture and feels soft against the skin because it’s free of natural rubber latex.

This is a great product to try if you like Depend Fit-Flex Incontinence Underwear for Men and Women.

You can have Alexa voice shopping schedule it for you, all you have to say is “Alexa, add Amazon Basics Incontinence Underwear for Men and Women.”

An Amazon reviewer says the diapers are definitely for maximum absorbency and she loves them because she’s disabled and can’t walk so she can’t get up during the night to go to the bathroom. The main reason why she tried them is they offered a money-back guarantee so she thought she should “put ’em to the challenge.”

She was fully prepared to call the seller to say she wasn’t satisfied because the diapers leaked during the night. Instead, she was pleasantly surprised she didn’t have to do it as they’re truly the best incontinence supplies she’s ever used. Of course, she signed up for their regular delivery — something she’s never done before.

She still sleeps on a disposable bed pad just to be safe but she’s actually used one for the whole week. This is kind of unheard of when it comes to overnight diapers. She also likes that the diapers are comfortable, make her feel secure, and don’t bunch up after becoming wet. She praises them highly and encourages others to buy them.

However, another Amazon reviewer says the diapers are poorly designed and manufactured so he doesn’t recommend them. He adds that the fit is terrible, just like other cheaply made, inexpensive adult diapers. What he dislikes the most is they’re quite bulky due to the amount of absorbent material they pack right down the center of the diaper, yet, it still isn’t enough protection for leakage.

Not only that, the leg openings are too big, have no elastic, and there’s not enough material in the crotch area for a male to keep his genitals from peeking out through the leg openings and spilling out the, um, beans? The reviewer purchased the small-sized diaper for his father and had him try one on. He ended up very disappointed about the fit and quality of this product and summarizes them as “cheaply made with no regard for fit and comfort.”

Prem Overnight Disp Absorb Underwear MED 72CT
$71.39 ($0.99 / Count)

by Tranquility 

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02/19/2024 06:32 pm GMT

Tranquility Premium Overnight Disp Absorb Underwear MED 72CT

This overnight disposable diaper for seniors is designed for maximum levels of bowel incontinence, and their absorption capacity ranges between 20 to 34 ounces, depending on the size, so the wearer can enjoy uninterrupted sleep and be confident while they travel.

The pull-on style of this product has tear-away side seams for easy removal and is comfortable, breathable, and has a full-rise waist panel to provide a snug fit. The inner leg cuffs channel fluids to the center of the diaper to contain incontinence.

The product comes with Peach Mat Guarantee that ensures skin dryness, reduces odor, neutralizes pH, and inhibits bacterial growth. Also, the outer layer is soft and rustle-free. Not only that, the highly absorbent material is latex-free and thus soft and discreet. You can wear it under your clothing and be protected at all times as it gives you freedom from unwanted distractions so you can focus on the things that matter most to you.

One Amazon reviewer entitles his review with “healthy skin happy me!” It sounds like he’s happy, right? He is to a certain degree but it’s mainly because he’s aware that nothing’s perfect. What he does is use the diapers with two tranquility booster pads and a washable bed pad to stay mostly dry and not have to change sheets every day.

He has MS and needs 12 to 14 hours of coverage at night because he drinks a lot of water throughout the day. So, he’s still hoping to find an overnight diaper that’ll allow him to skip the pads but is relieved that there are products like these on the market.

The same reviewer updated his review a few weeks later and added that he recently read that doubling up the underwear would keep him dry all night, so he did. He no longer needs pads that stay wet and rub on his skin. He’s actually woken up dry for two consecutive mornings and thinks it’s a huge improvement. You just have to be sure to make some slits in the plastic of the diaper that you use inside the other.

In turn, one individual isn’t happy with their purchase. They’ve been ordering overnight and daytime diapers for six years and found that the overnight is actually way less absorbent than the daytime so, of course, they’re quite disappointed by what they think is a cheap knockoff most likely made by exploited people in a corrupted country.

Night Defense Adult Incontinence Underwear for Men
$14.88 ($1.06 / Count)

by Depend 

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02/19/2024 06:27 pm GMT

Depend Night Defense Incontinence Underwear for Men

These overnight, disposable, large, diapers promise nightly incontinence protection and are specifically designed for men. The diapers feature DryShield technology to provide all-night comfort. They stand by the claim and guarantee their product, the same that’s available in 3 sizes.

The material of this diaper absorbs immediately and provides long-lasting dryness and thus, a more comfortable experience by keeping you protected from bladder leaks for up to 12 hours. Also, the form-fitting elastic strands offer a smooth, discreet fit under pajamas and are flexible enough to move with you – unlike bulky overnight adult diapers. They’re also soft, have odor control, and the SureFit waistband makes them as comfortable as regular underwear. In addition, these adult incontinence products always ship in a discreet box.

One reviewer on Amazon says the diapers are great for overnight wear. She buys them for her husband, who has severe motor and memory issues due to cancer treatment, and claims they’re the best she’s found so far in terms of overnight wear. They’re also easy for him to wear when he can’t make it to the bathroom.

Another reviewer says the diapers work. He bought them after two weeks following a bladder operation and was able to finally leave his house for an hour to run an errand. He can no longer control his bladder at all so he tried to make it to the bathroom when he returned but “it” struck again when he reached the driveway. Fortunately, the diaper absorbed everything and there wasn’t a single drop on his pants. He highly recommends the product.

In turn, one unhappy reviewer says the diapers are a complete disappointment; he’s never been so disappointed with a purchase, in fact. He bought them because he’s been dealing with incontinence for a while and is always hoping for someone to come up with a great idea to solve this problem and so he tries all kinds of products hoping to find it.

His expectations were high when he ordered these diapers. He admits there’s a chance he might be physiologically different as most products fail to work for him, although a faulty product is a lot more likely. He finishes his review by recommending that you buy laundry detergent along with these diapers because you’re going to need it.

Intimates Incontinence Underwear for Women
$47.28 ($0.74 / Count)

by TENA 

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02/19/2024 06:22 pm GMT

TENA Intimates Incontinence Underwear for Women

These diapers are specifically designed for overnight use and thus have increased absorption. The manufacturer recently increased it to 15% overall and 40% more in the back to offer extra protection while lying down.

This disposable underwear is 100% breathable and promises to protect the sensitive skin of your intimate areas. The diaper helps protect you against heavy bladder leakage thanks to a unique w-shaped core that’s soft and gentle on your skin and also absorbs liquid quickly to help keep you dry.

A happy reviewer on Amazon says these are the best diapers she’s found. She’s actually been buying this product for quite some time and the only thing she hates is the disposable undergarment rolls down. She also recommends buying the right size and ensuring a good fit because they’ll leak otherwise. They do seem to hold a lot of liquid but are a bit uncomfortable.

Another review, who bought them for his wife, agrees that the diapers work most of the time and as long as you change them right after you wake up in the morning. Sitting in them for a few hours after you wake up is particularly bad because they’re not really made for that purpose.

How to Avoid Diaper Rash

Diaper rash happens to the best of us and most people who wear absorbent undergarments will experience it sooner or later. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent it but the most important one is: don’t wear a diaper for more than four hours and change it immediately when it becomes soiled.

Minimizing contact between wet diapers and skin is important, so changing them often will minimize pressure sores, skin irritation, infections, and uncomfortable diaper rash. Finally, keeping your skin healthy is important so, wash with a gentle, mild, hypoallergenic soap or even just with warm water. Be sure to pat the area dry afterward.

Stay Dry, Stay You

Finding the right adult diaper or absorbent undergarment that fits your needs may take a bit of trial and error. Once you find your match, staying dry during the day and night will be a lot easier. Talk with your doctor for product recommendations if you’re not sure which diaper to choose or if you have questions about how to make them work for you. Adult incontinence doesn’t have to be the end of your time away from home, picking the right product for you will keep you active and confident all day (and night) long.

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