Check Facebook Marketplace too. After my husband died I posted bed pads and Depends briefs on there (for free) and was able to give them to a deserving older couple. They may not always be free on FB Marketplace, but I'm sure they'd be offered at a good price. However, the problem with relying on diaper banks or Facebook or similar sources is that you may not be able to get the exact size and brands you need.
Boy, learned something today concerning diaper banks and Medicare.
I was going to say check with your local "in home/Hospice" care facility. People may donate to them. People on Hospice are provided Depends. They are ordered in quantity. So when a person passes, there could be a lot left. The VNA I worked for got a number of donations of Depends and Chux (the bed pads) donated.
Yes, true. Hospice sends these huge boxes of supplies, and they can’t take them back if they’re the wrong size/type or the person dies. I donated some things to a nursing home (they accepted open packages too) and gave some away on the “buy nothing” page on Facebook. That would be another place to look. You can also request items on the Facebook group.
I recommend if you have large second hand thrifts in your area that you regularly check them. They often have mountains of diapers in never opened packages.
I know a lot of people do not like Medicare Advantage, but this type of medical insurance gives each member extra money on a smart card to purchase OTC products like adult diapers, etc. which is a tremendous financial help for people on fixed income.
If your mother is on Medicare she may be eligible for the Healthy Benefits Program. This is where Medicare allows a certain amount of money a month to buy OTC products (incontinence supplies included) or healthy food.
Congratulations on the remission from bladder cancer.
I just donated a lot of diapers to our Diaper bank. Most people do not even know that one exists, or they think it only means young children.
Ours takes diapers, gloves, bed pads, etc. I don’t know what it takes to qualify, but anyone with leftover diapers, open bags and not, should look into donating those products to their diaper bank. After hospice, I had a lot of those supplies left over, which the diaper bank gratefully accepted.
I just included my mom's supplies in her budget. You might call around for donations which will be sporadic. Try your local social services and maybe food banks
13 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
ADVERTISEMENT
I was going to say check with your local "in home/Hospice" care facility. People may donate to them. People on Hospice are provided Depends. They are ordered in quantity. So when a person passes, there could be a lot left. The VNA I worked for got a number of donations of Depends and Chux (the bed pads) donated.
Talk to Medicare and see if she is eligible.
I just donated a lot of diapers to our Diaper bank. Most people do not even know that one exists, or they think it only means young children.
Ours takes diapers, gloves, bed pads, etc. I don’t know what it takes to qualify, but anyone with leftover diapers, open bags and not, should look into donating those products to their diaper bank. After hospice, I had a lot of those supplies left over, which the diaper bank gratefully accepted.
https://www.parentgiving.com/blogs/everything-incontinence/adult-diaper-banks-and-other-free-sources#:~:text=Diaper%20bank%20alternatives&text=Doctor%27s%20offices%2C%20home%20health%20agencies,hygiene%20products%2C%20including%20incontinence%20supplies.
https://www.basicnecessitiesla.com/post/financial-assistance-with-incontinence-supplies