Changing an Adult Brief

Learning how to change a brief can be awkward and you might feel uncomfortable.

In this video we’re going to show you how to change an adult diaper, usually called a brief and give you some tips to help you care for someone with incontinence.

Being incontinent means that the person you’re caring for can’t control when they have to go to the toilet, so they may wet or soil themselves.

When you provide this kind of care for someone, you’re helping them feel clean and preventing infection. It may not be a skill you thought you’d need, but with these helpful steps, you’ll be a pro in no time!

Let’s try it!

Start by getting everything you’ll need ready.

There are all different kinds of briefs out there, so pick whatever the person you’re caring for likes to use. It may be easier to use a tab brief if you are changing the brief in their bed or a pull on brief if you are helping them in the washroom.

You can use toilet paper to help clean up, but wet wipes are also a good option.

To clean up after, you can also use special personal cleansing wipes made for cleaning private areas or soap and water.

You’ll also need to have any prescription or barrier creams they need, and some disposable gloves.

The most important thing to remember when helping someone who is incontinent is to keep their genitals clean and dry, by washing after every bowel movement or wet brief change.

Using personal cleansing wipes is a good and quick option but washing with soap and water should be done at least once a day either in the shower or as part of a bed bath. You can click here for a video demonstration of both of those.

Start by washing your hands and putting on gloves.

With the person, you’re caring for lying on their back.

Help them remove their pants and undo the tabs on the brief.

If they use a pull-on style brief, you can rip the sides to open it.

Tuck the front of the brief down, rolling it as you go. Using toilet paper or wet wipes, wipe up any noticeably soiled areas

Help them roll onto their side away from you and bend their knee. Now you can pull off the brief through their legs and finish rolling it up to contain any mess.

You may want to have a small garbage can that seals well to use just for briefs so you can throw the brief away.

Now let’s wash their private areas very well. You can click here to see a short video that teaches you how to do this in detail.

After they’re all clean, apply any prescription or barrier creams they need

Finish by helping them into a clean brief.

While they’re on their side, put the back of the fresh brief under their hips.

Roll them back towards you and pull the front of the brief up between their legs.

Make sure that the brief isn’t pinching any skin from their legs or private areas and close the tabs. Now you can help them get dressed again.

People who have incontinence are much more likely to get infections, skin problems or have falls.

See our Care Guide for more information on how to avoid these problems.

Finish up by throwing out your gloves and washing your hands

Helping with incontinence care isn’t fun for anyone (we know) and feeling embarrassed is very normal. Try working together to find ways to get through this.

Be sure to visit our CareChannel for more caregiver support and resources.