Adaptive clothing can make it easier for seniors to get dressed and undressed. It is especially helpful for seniors who have limited abilities, health conditions, or Alzheimer’s or dementia. This clothing is carefully designed to reduce strain and discomfort when dressing and undressing, and can allow seniors more comfort and independence in their daily lives. Keep reading to learn more about how adaptive clothing can make dressing easier for seniors.

What Is Adaptive Clothing?

Adaptive clothing is clothing that is thoughtfully designed to make dressing and undressing easier. It can help people with physical or cognitive challenges maintain some level of independence in their daily activities.

Adaptive clothing uses simple closures like hook-and-loop fasteners or snaps, has wider head and arm openings, and may be made from stretchy or forgiving fabrics. It is designed to look like traditional clothing, adopting the same functionality and style. However, it is more comfortable and facilitates independence.

Exploring Features of Adaptive Clothing

There are many different types of adaptive clothing. If you are considering buying adaptive clothing for a loved one, consult with them throughout the process so that you make sure you’re buying garments that match their personal taste and lifestyle. Some common features of adaptive clothing include:

Magnetic Closures – Rather than being secured by buttons, laces, or zippers, many adaptive clothing options use magnetic closures or snaps. These are easier for people with limited strength or dexterity to manage, and make it easier to open and close shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, and shorts without discomfort or injury.

Open-back Shirts – Open-back shirts and dresses are designed like hospital gowns. The back remains open so people can easily dress or undress themselves without having to reach their arms over their heads or stand up.

Slip-on Shoes – Slip on shoes can be put on and taken off in a simple, hands-free motion. They do not use laces, buckles, or straps.

Soft Fabrics – Most adaptive clothing is made from soft, sensory-friendly fabrics that have flat seams and limited decoration or design features. This makes the clothing more comfortable for people with sensory issues or people who spend a lot of time lying down or sitting in a wheelchair.

Wheelchair-friendly and Accessible Designs – There are many different types of adaptive clothing that are easy for people in wheelchairs to put on, wear, and remove. They may include elastic waistbands, higher waists, wrap-around or open-back designs, and openings to facilitate access to medical equipment. Some feature zippers or snaps along sleeves to provide access to ports, IVs, and bandages, and others can be easily unsnapped to provide caregivers or family access to other parts of the body to provide medication or treatment and take vital signs.

Who Should Consider Adaptive Clothing?

Adaptive clothing is specifically designed for people who have trouble dressing and undressing themselves. This may be due to physical limitations, limited mobility, age, medical conditions, or cognitive disabilities. For instance, people who have Alzheimer’s or dementia may not be able to handle all activities of daily living on their own.

If they need medical care, grooming or hygiene care, or bathing or toileting assistance, adaptive clothing may make it easier for their caregiver to provide these services. Other people who should consider adaptive clothing include people who:

Have mobility limitations, who are in wheelchairs, or who use assistive mobility devices
Have sensory sensitivities
Have cognitive difficulties or who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia
Have medical needs or who wear medical devices
Have age-related challenges that affect their ability to dress or undress themselves
Spend a lot of time in bed or in a seated position
Are incontinent
Are recovering from an accident, injury, illness, or surgery

Tips for Finding the Right Adaptive Clothing for Your Elderly Loved One

If possible, you should involve your loved one in choosing their own clothing. This will give them a greater feeling of independence, and ensure the clothing is tailored to their personal taste, lifestyle, and specific needs. Some of the most important factors to consider when choosing adaptive clothing are:

Fit and Comfort – First, consider your loved one’s comfort and personal style. Find clothing that is made from natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and bamboo. Avoid scratchy or synthetic fabrics or any materials that need to be dry cleaned or that require special care. The clothing should be loose without being baggy, and should be easy to put on and take off. The clothing also shouldn’t be too tight, especially if your loved one spends a lot of time lying down or in a wheelchair.

Layers – Consider buying clothing that can be easily layered, so your loved one can put items on and take them off if their temperature changes.

Accessibility – Look for features that enhance accessibility, like hook-and-loop fasteners or magnetic closures, loose sleeves, open-back shirts and dresses, and side-opening pants. Do not choose clothing with buttons or clothing that can only be put on by raising the arms over the head. You should also avoid clothing that has narrow neck openings or that is made from stiff material with no stretch or give.

Independence – Consider your loved one’s independence when choosing clothing. Try to choose clothing items that facilitate independence and that your loved one can put on and take off by themselves.

Safety – Ensure your loved one’s safety by choosing slip-on, slip-resistant shoes, clothing that isn’t too long or loose, and clothing that doesn’t have bulky or uncomfortable fasteners or decorations.

Health – Consider your loved one’s medical needs, and choose clothing that allows easy access to areas where your loved one will need medical treatments or attention.

Maintenance – Finally, choose clothing that is easy to care for, machine washable, and made from durable fabrics.

Benefits of Adaptive Clothing for Seniors

When you invest in adaptive clothing for an elderly loved one, you can improve their comfort, sense of independence, safety, and quality of life. Adaptive clothing allows your loved one to maintain their dignity while getting dressed and undressed, and can help them avoid discomfort and challenges. Some of the biggest benefits of adaptive clothing are:

Ability to dress and undress with less reliance on or assistance from others
Improved self-esteem and sense of control over their daily lives
Enhanced comfort when dressing, undressing, moving around, lying down, and sitting
Greater ease of movement and lower risk of tripping and falling
Reduced irritation and discomfort
Increased dignity and quality of life
Greater durability and lifespan and reduced maintenance of clothing
Enhanced convenience for senior caregivers
Faster, easier access to medical devices or areas that need medical attention or treatment

Hire an In-Home Caregiver for Assistance With Daily Living Tasks

At Placita In Home Care, our caregivers can enhance your loved one’s comfort, safety, and independence by providing custom in-home caregiving services. We can assist your loved one with the activities of daily living, including getting in and out of bed, getting dressed and undressed, bathing and toileting, personal grooming and hygiene, medication reminders, and meal preparation and eating.

We also provide companionship and transportation to medical appointments. To schedule a consultation for in-home care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.