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After an Injury, I Had to Wear Adult Diapers. Now, I Kind of Miss Them. Oct. 28, 2025 “You’re going to molt like a baby snake,” one of the doctors said. He was right: I shed fragments of myself all over my studio apartment. Flakes of dead skin fell out of my laptop, my sheets, my couch. Scraps of singed flesh stuck to my rug. For that week when I could not fully walk, I inched from the bed to the couch, from the couch to the desk chair smothered in bandages and gauze and teeny packets of antibiotic ointment. My world narrowed to my apartment’s 500 square feet and the cheery purple packaging of the adult diapers that defined my recovery. The simplest way to explain what happened is this: Last winter, my shower exploded. One minute, it was a normal shower; the next, scalding water sprayed from the shower head. I leaped out. For a few minutes, my brain stilled with shock’s synthetic calm. In the mirror, I saw that my left arm and thigh and chunks of my back and butt were scarlet. I started to scream. The pain was psychedelic. Walls bent; floors wobbled. The carousel of doctors I saw over the next few days gave me detailed instructions on how to tend to my second-degree burns. This included wearing adult diapers, not to help me relieve myself but to hold my bandages in place and protect my wounds. The diapers were, initially, a horrific indignity. They came with pink bows stamped on them. Some were dyed peach. Others had little lilac scallops that trailed along my waist, an attempt to preserve my femininity, I suppose, or to fool me into thinking that this was normal, even sexy, underwear. Even with no one around to witness me in my feeble state, I was embarrassed by how frail I was, humiliated by how little my body could do. I grumbled to my older sister that the diapers were practice for getting old. “They’re practice for postpartum,” she shot back. I had sworn, for most of my 20s, that I did not want children, but as I rounded my late 20s, any certainty about that crumbled. Sometimes, like when I saw a baby on the train, I felt flashes of physical, tangible yearning so strong that it scared me. But now I felt more like an infant than anyone capable of caring for one. The burns on my thigh forced me to relearn how to walk; I cried constantly. For a week, I only left my apartment to inch into cabs that shuttled me to doctors. I wore adult diapers all day and all night. Pain punctured my sleep, and I often bolted up to make sure my diaper was covering my torn-up skin. I woke up each morning with swollen, pus-filled blisters dangling off my thigh, my arm, my back. I hauled myself back to the shower several times each day to wash off my wounds. Soap snagged in the tattered patches of my skin and felt like shattered glass being ground into my leg. When I limped out, I smothered on antibacterial goop, clamped gauze over my stinging skin and dragged a fresh adult diaper up my leg. It was my padded support system, my safety net. I abandoned any pretense of ego, any claim I had to what I thought constituted adulthood. As my cells strained to stitch themselves together, there was so little I could control. The diapers should have been the most mortifying part. Instead, they held me together. Any language I had for the burns seemed inadequate; I was scared and dazed and so focused on the physical. Gradually, though, I was able to leave my apartment. At January’s end, I slid off a diaper for the last time in a burn-center bathroom. Afterward, I went back to cotton underwear that felt newly flimsy. I don’t miss the diapers, but I miss what they offered: the constant reminder that I could tend to myself, my tiny shred of stability when my life and body were upended. I had seen the diapers as a sign of weakness at first, but day after day, they became a signal that I was capable. Here I was, so careful, so dutiful, taking this absurd extra step to keep myself safe. And they worked: I made it through the riskiest stage of wound care without an infection. My late 20s had given me a sense of invulnerability. I could date someone for a few months or try out one thing or another — rock climbing, a soccer league, a month in Stockholm — and the contours of my life would reset to a base line. I told myself that this was proof of how capable I was, how competent — that I had designed a life that felt impenetrable. The diapers, though, demanded surrender. We’re born into diapers, and we age back into them. I had thought I had several decades before my homecoming. I was 28 when I got burned, five days into a new year that I promised myself, as I did every year, would be different. I had lived in my studio apartment for four years, a college amount of time; I had worked the same job, kept the same friends, haunted the same cluster of bars and clubs. I kept waiting for someone to tell me what I should want: to have children, to move, to mark my adulthood in any other way than the years drifting by. I felt so ill equipped and unprepared, and still, in my diaper days, I was getting a crash course in the beats of early parenting — the uncontrollable ache, the sleepless nights in my confined space, the incessant questions. The mound of diapers gave me the proof that I could take care of myself. They signaled that, at some point, I might be able to take care of someone else. Dani Blum is a journalist and essayist who works as a health reporter for The New York Times. She lives in Brooklyn. Dani Blum is a health reporter for The Times. Article link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/magazine/adult-diapers.html

I’ve been diving into international models of incontinence care and believe Scandinavian (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) and Dutch approaches offer replicable, dignity-centered frameworks that U.S. social workers can adapt—especially in home health, LTC, and community aging programs. Core Principles from Scandinavia & Netherlands 1. Universal Subsidized Supplies - Sweden & Netherlands provide free or heavily subsidized absorbent products via national health systems (Socialstyrelsen, 2022; Dutch Health Authority, 2023). - Result: Reduced skin breakdown, UTIs, and depression (Forde & Ryg, 2020). 2. Person-Centered Assessment Protocols - Standardized tools (e.g., Danish Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Norwegian Continence Care Algorithm) integrate social determinants (housing, income, caregiver burden) (Moller et al., 2021). 3. Interprofessional “Bladder Health Teams” - Dutch model embeds continence nurse specialists + social workers + PTs in primary care (V&VN, 2024). - 43% reduction in pad usage via pelvic floor rehab vs. pad-only care (Teunissen et al., 2022). 4. De-Stigmatization Campaigns - Swedish “Blåsrådgivning” (Bladder Advice) public health initiative normalizes leakage as treatable (Socialstyrelsen, 2022). U.S. Adaptation Strategies for Social Workers Strategy Action Steps Evidence Advocate for State Pad Programs Push Medicaid waivers to cover pads as DME (like ostomy supplies). Cite Minnesota’s 2023 Incontinence Supply Pilot (65% cost savings; MDH, 2024). MDH (2024) Integrate Dutch Assessment Tools Use ICIQ-UI Short Form (free, validated) in case management. Train via Averis et al. (2019) open-access protocol. Averis et al. (2019) Build “Continence Care Coalitions” Partner with PTs, urology NPs, and Area Agencies on Aging. Model: Norwegian “Tverrfaglig Inkontinens Team” (Forde & Ryg, 2020). Forde & Ryg (2020) Leverage Telehealth for Rural Clients Dutch e-Continence platform reduced pad use 30% via app-based pelvic floor coaching (de Bruijn et al., 2023). Adapt using HHS Telehealth.HHS.gov funding. de Bruijn et al. (2023) References Averis, A., Avery, K., & Abrams, P. (2019). The ICIQ-UI Short Form: Validation and norms in older adults. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 38(S4), S112–S113. https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.24192 de Bruijn, M., Jansen, L., & Vermeulen, H. (2023). Digital continence care: A randomized controlled trial of app-based pelvic floor training. Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, 50 (2), 112–118. https://doi.org/10.1097/WON.0000000000000956 Forde, K., & Ryg, J. (2020). Interprofessional continence teams in Norwegian municipalities: A mixed-methods study. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 34 (3), 678–686. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12789 MDH (Minnesota Department of Health). (2024). Incontinence supply pilot program: Year 1 report. https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ltc/docs/incpilot2023.pdf Moller, L., Hansen, J., & Lose, G. (2021). The Danish Incontinence Impact Questionnaire: Psychometric properties in community-dwelling women. International Urogynecology Journal, 32 (7), 1815–1822. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-020-04612-4 Socialstyrelsen. (2022). Nationella riktlinjer för urininkontinens [National guidelines for urinary incontinence]. https://www.socialstyrelsen.se/inkontinens Teunissen, D., Stegeman, M., & Lagro-Janssen, T. (2022). Reducing pad dependency through multidisciplinary continence care: A Dutch cohort study. BMJ Open, 12 (4), e056789. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056789 V&VN (Dutch Nurses’ Association). (2024). *Continence care specialist role description*. https://www.venvn.nl/continentie

That's why if we in the US took the Scandinavian and Dutch incontinence care models and brought it to America. it would make Incontinence care much more palpable. The way the Scandinavian and Dutch do it is that they destigmatize diapers and reframe it in the same fashion as wearing eyeglasses. Their playbook in incontinence care is what works over their and it's worth doing research and writing up research articles on.

I think using the Scandinavian and Dutch incontinence care models could help make Incontinence feel normal and just look at how they done it. I’ve got friends in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands who are both incontinent and over there wearing diapers (medical or fun prints) under jeans, skirts, or shorts is just… normal. No drama. No shame. No “hiding in the bathroom” panic. How? It’s not magic — it’s systems + culture. And the US can copy 70–80% of it in 5–10 years. Here’s the blueprint, straight from their playbooks 1. Supplies Are Free & Everywhere - Scandi: Tax-funded, delivered monthly in plain boxes. - Dutch: 100% covered by Zvw insurance — no co-pays. - Result: Diapers in unlocked bathroom cupboards like toilet paper. No “diaper run” stigma. US Fix: Push Medicaid/CMS to cover all absorbent products (plain and printed). NAFC is already lobbying — join them. 2. Language = Zero Shame - Staff say: _“Time to freshen up?”_ (same tone as “Need coffee?”) - Products called “protective briefs” or “comfort pants” — never “diapers” unless you want. US Fix: Train CNAs/NPs via NASW CEUs: “Glasses help eyes. Briefs help bladders. End of story.” 3. Client Choice = Dignity - Pick your style: tab, pull-up, cartoon print? Cool. - Change when you want, not on a schedule. - Onesies? Treated like adaptive clothing — under scrubs or dresses. US Fix: Stock Tykables + onesies in nursing homes. Label: “Comfort Layers.” 4. Culture Says: “Not My Business” - No one asks. No one stares. - Incontinent? Medical need — like insulin. US Fix: Run PSAs: “1 in 3 adults leak. 1 in 10 wear for comfort. It’s normal.” (Modeled on Dutch HogeNood toilet app campaigns)

Normalizing Adult Diapers in the United States: Adapting Scandinavian and Dutch Incontinence Care Models for American Social Work Practice Abstract Incontinence affects millions of Americans, yet stigma surrounding adult diapers hinders quality of life and care access. Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) and the Netherlands employ integrated, person-centered incontinence care models that emphasize dignity, accessibility, and societal normalization. U.S. social workers can adapt these frameworks through policy advocacy, community education, and clinical practice to reduce stigma and promote adult diaper use as a standard health tool. This paper reviews the Scandinavian and Dutch models, proposes adaptation strategies for American social work, and discusses normalization outcomes. Keywords: incontinence care, adult diapers, stigma reduction, Scandinavian model, Dutch model, social work Introduction Urinary and fecal incontinence affects approximately 25 million adults in the United States (Gorina et al., 2014). Despite effective management tools like absorbent products (adult diapers), societal stigma leads to isolation, depression, and underutilization of care (Elenskaia et al., 2019). In contrast, Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands have achieved higher rates of incontinence product acceptance through systemic, dignity-focused interventions (Hägglund, 2010; Visser et al., 2018). U.S. social workers, positioned at the intersection of clinical practice, advocacy, and community education, are uniquely suited to import and adapt these models. This paper examines (a) core components of Scandinavian and Dutch incontinence care, (b) barriers to adult diaper normalization in the U.S., and (c) actionable strategies for social workers to implement European practices domestically. The Scandinavian Incontinence Care Model Scandinavian countries integrate incontinence care into universal healthcare systems, emphasizing prevention, accessibility, and dignity (Nordic Council of Ministers, 2019). Key Features Free or Subsidized Products: Sweden provides incontinence aids at no cost to residents over age 18 with assessed need (Socialstyrelsen, 2020). Continence Nurse Specialists: Norway employs dedicated continence nurses in primary care to assess, educate, and prescribe products (Norwegian Directorate of Health, 2021). Public Education Campaigns: Denmark’s “Blæreboblen” (Bladder Bubble) initiative uses humor and media to destigmatize incontinence (Sundhedsstyrelsen, 2018). Workplace Protections: Swedish labor laws mandate employer-provided incontinence supplies for affected workers (Arbetsmiljöverket, 2022). These policies result in 78% product adherence among incontinent adults versus 42% in the U.S. (Hägglund, 2010; Newman & Wein, 2019). The Dutch Incontinence Care Model The Netherlands combines insurance-mandated coverage with community-based care networks (Visser et al., 2018). Key Features District Nursing Teams: Multidisciplinary teams visit homes to assess and deliver products, reducing institutional stigma (Zorginstituut Nederland, 2021). Pharmacy Integration: Pharmacists dispense incontinence aids with counseling, normalizing purchases (KNMP, 2020). Youth-Focused Prevention: School-based pelvic floor education begins at age 12 to prevent future incontinence (Dutch Urology Association, 2019). Media Normalization: Dutch television includes incontinence product advertisements during prime time, akin to menstrual products (Visser et al., 2018). Dutch surveys show 85% of users report no shame in purchasing diapers, compared to 31% in the U.S. (Elenskaia et al., 2019). Barriers to Normalization in the United States Cultural Stigma: Incontinence is framed as a personal failure rather than a medical condition (Elenskaia et al., 2019). Fragmented Coverage: Medicare covers catheters but not absorbent products, creating financial barriers (CMS, 2023). Provider Discomfort: Only 38% of U.S. physicians routinely screen for incontinence (Mardon et al., 2017). Marketing Gaps: Adult diaper ads use euphemisms (“protection”) and target seniors, alienating younger users (Newman & Wein, 2019). Strategies for U.S. Social Workers 1. Policy Advocacy Social workers can lobby for Medicaid expansion to cover incontinence products, citing Scandinavian cost savings from reduced skin breakdown and hospitalizations (Socialstyrelsen, 2020). Model legislation: mandate employer-provided supplies for workers with disabilities under ADA amendments. 2. Clinical Integration Adopt Dutch District Nursing: Train community health workers to deliver products and education door-to-door. Screening Protocols: Implement NASW-endorsed incontinence screening in all adult intakes, using Scandinavian assessment tools (Hägglund, 2010). 3. Community Education and Normalization Media Campaigns: Partner with AARP to launch “Bladder Health is Health” ads featuring diverse ages and humor, mirroring Denmark (Sundhedsstyrelsen, 2018). School-Based Prevention: Advocate for pelvic floor education in high school health curricula, citing Dutch outcomes (Dutch Urology Association, 2019). Pharmacy Partnerships: Work with CVS/Walgreens to display adult diapers alongside menstrual products with neutral signage (“Absorbent Underwear – All Ages”). 4. Workplace Interventions Develop employer toolkits requiring incontinence accommodations under ADA, including private changing facilities and supply access (modeled on Swedish law; Arbetsmiljöverket, 2022). Expected Outcomes of Normalization Adopting Scandinavian/Dutch elements could increase U.S. product adherence by 30–40% within five years, reducing depression (by 25%) and healthcare costs (by $1.2 billion annually from fewer pressure ulcers; Newman & Wein, 2019; Socialstyrelsen, 2020). Social workers’ involvement ensures equity, particularly for low-income and minority clients disproportionately affected by access barriers (Gorina et al., 2014). Conclusion Scandinavian and Dutch incontinence care models demonstrate that systemic support and cultural reframing can normalize adult diapers. U.S. social workers can lead this transformation through advocacy, education, and practice innovation. By treating incontinence as routine healthcare rather than shame, America can enhance dignity and quality of life for millions. References Arbetsmiljöverket. (2022). Work environment regulations for personal protective equipment [AFS 2022:1]. Swedish Work Environment Authority. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (2023). Medicare coverage of durable medical equipment. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dutch Urology Association. (2019). National guidelines for pelvic floor health education in secondary schools. NVU. Elenskaia, K., Haidvogel, K., & Heidinger, C. (2019). The stigma of incontinence: A cross-cultural study. Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, 46(3), 213–218. https://doi.org/10.1097/WON.0000000000000532 Gorina, Y., Schappert, S., Bercovitz, A., Elgaddal, N., & Kramarow, E. (2014). Prevalence of incontinence among older Americans (Vital and Health Statistics Series 3, No. 36). National Center for Health Statistics. Hägglund, D. (2010). A systematic literature review of incontinence care in Scandinavian countries. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 24(S1), 24–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6712.2010.00788.x KNMP. (2020). Pharmacy guidelines for continence product dispensing. Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association. Mardon, R. E., Halim, S., Pawlson, L. G., & Haffer, S. C. (2017). Incontinence screening in primary care: A quality improvement study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55(11), 1801–1806. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01412.x Newman, D. K., & Wein, A. J. (2019). Managing and treating urinary incontinence (2nd ed.). Health Professions Press. Nordic Council of Ministers. (2019). Welfare technology in the Nordic countries. Copenhagen. Norwegian Directorate of Health. (2021). National guidelines for continence care. Helsedirektoratet. Socialstyrelsen. (2020). Inkontinenshjälpmedel: Riktlinjer för kostnadsfri utdelning [Incontinence aids: Guidelines for free distribution]. National Board of Health and Welfare, Sweden. Sundhedsstyrelsen. (2018). Blæreboblen: National kampagne mod inkontinens [Bladder Bubble: National anti-incontinence campaign]. Danish Health Authority. Visser, E., de Bock, G. H., Kollen, B. J., Meijerink, M., & Dekker, J. H. (2018). Home-based continence care in the Netherlands: A mixed-methods study. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 413. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3220-5 Zorginstituut Nederland. (2021). Zorgstandaard Incontinentie [Care standard for incontinence]. National Health Care Institute.

As an MSW student dealing with incontinence myself, I often wear diapers every day. It shapes how I see the world, especially in social work. Incontinence means losing control over bladder or bowel functions, which hits millions of people. For adults, it can stem from health issues like diabetes, surgery, or aging. I wonder how social workers step in to support folks like us. Social workers build trust first. They listen to personal stories without judgment. Take someone elderly in a nursing home; a worker might spot signs of isolation from embarrassment. They connect clients to doctors for underlying causes. Or, for a young parent post-childbirth, they link to support groups where people share tips on managing leaks. Inclusion matters a lot. Social workers push for community events that welcome everyone. They advocate for accessible restrooms in public spots, like malls or offices. Imagine a job fair where changing stations are hidden away—workers can fight for open, private areas instead. This helps folks join in without fear. Access to diapers is key too. Costs add up quick; a pack runs $20 to $50 monthly. Social workers guide clients to programs like Medicaid coverage or food banks that stock supplies. They might help apply for grants from groups like the National Association for Continence. Safe, clean change spots prevent infections. In schools or workplaces, workers team up with admins to install them. For me, as a student, knowing a counselor could push for dorm facilities eases my mind. Overall, these steps make life less lonely and more doable.

Can you imagine the normalization of Incontinence https://nypost.com/2025/08/29/sports/colorado-puts-bathroom-on-sideline-for-deion-sanders/?utm_campaign=nypost&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

https://www.tmz.com/2025/04/23/shaq-adult-diaper-hookup-after-on-air-emergency/

I use to spend alot of time worry about my bowel and bladder but now I am in diapers 24/7, I don't anymore and I can get a lot of stuff done.

She's helping to break the stigma of Incontinence and adult diapers

https://people.com/adult-diaper-influencer-shares-her-journey-with-multiple-sclerosis-exclusive-11711652

She's quickly becoming an advocate for incontinence and diapers

We now have someone who is an adult diaper Influencer. https://www.vice.com/en/article/adult-diaper-influencer-bumble-pree/

Being comfortable and confident diapered is the key

I do Air out my diaper area to prevent diaper rash's and keep diaper rash's at bay.

I'm glad your doctors are all understanding and it sounds like the doc was professional and cool about being diapered My doctors knows I wear Northshore diapers and are very comfortable and supportive as well.

Here's an Interesting UK Daily Mail article on why Diapers are fast becoming normal. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13514437/Why-adults-Britain-wearing-nappies-misled-using-seeking-treatment.html

First of all, you're not a freak. You have issues that you are dealing with.

She has a Youtube page, Instagram page and is now the spokeswoman for Northshore https://www.youtube.com/@BumblePree