Adaptive Clothing: What Is It and How Can It Help?
If you or the person in your care has ever experienced difficulty with getting arms up and into a shirt; struggled with removing clothing in time for toileting needs; or suffered from clothing that was too restrictive on your movements then adaptive clothing options could be for you.
Adaptive clothing refers to items designed to enable someone with physical limitations or mobility issues get dressed more easily, either independently, or with the help from a caregiver.
Adaptive clothing refers to items designed to enable someone with physical limitations or mobility issues get dressed more easily, either independently, or with the help from a caregiver. Consideration is given to how the clothing is placed on the body, and how the garment is secured.
As a caregiver, being able to dress and disrobe the person in your care with ease is something that can help prevent injury, allows the person in your care to feel more comfortable, and can make your day run a whole lot smoother.
Adaptive clothing comes in a variety of styles to suit your needs. In addition to daytime wear such as pants, tops, and skirts, additional items such as robes, capes, undergarments, and footwear help round out the full wardrobe essentials. Items can even be quite specialized, such as anti-strip jumpsuits for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s who may have a tendency to disrobe; or compression socks for people with diabetes. There are a wide variety of options available within adaptive clothing designs.
Most people don’t give much thought to how to get their bodies into the clothes they wear. But, when you’re a caregiver trying to assist the person in your care get dressed, the challenges become obvious. Think about trying to help dress an aging parent, someone with limited mobility, or someone experiencing pain and you’ll quickly realize the benefits of adaptive clothing.
Many retailers of adaptive clothing like to point out that although functionality and comfort are the priority in adaptive clothing design, it’s also important to design clothing that is fashionable as well. It’s important that the person wearing the clothing feels good about what they are wearing.
In some cases, adaptive clothing gives the person in your care increased independence because they are able to fasten the adaptive clothing easier than they could regular clothing.
When purchasing adaptive clothing, or altering clothes yourself (for those crafty DIYers), look for materials that are comfortable, well-made, and durable. If possible, have the person in your care help decide which clothing items they would like and try them on before purchasing.
Dressing the person in your care can be made easier with the help of adaptive clothing styles. It’s important to take a look at your options and find the styles that fit your needs.
Even with adaptive clothing, taking care of a person’s daily needs can be challenging. Not to worry, Personal Care services can help you with that.