This has to be one of my BIGGEST pet peeves, from way back when I was a CNA. Maybe *technically* they are diapers, but COME ON....how disprespectful can you get? I call them Depends or briefs, it at least maintains SOME dignity for the patient. Especially if they are post op, say, and are having trouble controlling their bowels as function returns to normal, and they've never had to wear them before. It's rude and demeaning.
I read an LPN's narrative charting a few weeks ago, where she actually WROTE the term "diaper." Now it's in that person's chart for all eternity. Great. Aside from the fact that it isn't something that even needs to be PUT in the narrative notes (this LPN is notorious for that, though, but that's a whole other story).
I personally use the term "adult briefs but a lot of my patients are old farmers and ranchers who could rewrite the definition of "blunt" or telling it like it is. If they refer to it as a diaper who am I to disagree with them?
I personally don't find the term "diaper" to be as offensive or disrespectful as the baby talk so many of by coworkers direct towards perfectly A & O x3 adults.
I know a lot of people who refer to ANY disposable infant diaper as "Pampers." I really don't think people mean any harm by it...and families and patients or residents (or clients or customers or whatever) can call it whatever they want to. I think I would be a little hurt if I asked the nurse to change my mother's diaper and she came back with, "I would be happy to change her BRIEF." Note the emphasis on the word brief... We hear a lot worse terms from families and residents...we can forgive diaper too.
One more "brief" thought (pardon the pun): as a female, I dislike the term brief. Men wear briefs. If I were the one wearing the item, I'd prefer underwear.
I used to call feminine hygiene products "diapers" when referring to myself. Boy, am I glad I graduated from diapers finally, although I'm not far away from needing them again.
Most of my CNA experience has been in LTC, specifically an ALF. We always called adult diapers 'underwear' when we were assisting our residents with adl's.
When talking to staff, I call them Attends. When referencing them to a patient, I call them underpants.
It seems demeaning to me, to call them diapers. I mean, they're already incontinent and probably embarrassed by it (if A&O), no need to make it seem like they're children.
Cherry, I understand your POV really I do but I don't feel it is as big of a deal as that. I no longer do direct patient care but I am still in the field of geriatrics and in my current position I perform some telephonic evaluation of older adults. Part of the assessment is whether or not they are incontinent. I usually ask about wearing a pad. Brief is not in my vocabulary and it isn't in theirs either. Almost all of them use the word diaper. Some of them give an embarassed chuckle but most folks are pretty matter of fact about this issue. I think it is a reflection of the caregivers' attitude. If you are matter of fact and respectful, no resident should go to pieces about using a word like diaper especially if that is what they themselves call it.
belgarion
697 Posts
I personally use the term "adult briefs but a lot of my patients are old farmers and ranchers who could rewrite the definition of "blunt" or telling it like it is. If they refer to it as a diaper who am I to disagree with them?
I personally don't find the term "diaper" to be as offensive or disrespectful as the baby talk so many of by coworkers direct towards perfectly A & O x3 adults.