Adaptive clothing is designed around the needs and abilities of people with varying degrees of disability. It could be due to age, a temporary issue (e.g.: recovering from surgery) or a permanent physical disability.
It may not always be evident that a loved one struggles to get dressed. However, with reduced mobility, arthritis or cognitive issues, daily dressing in traditional clothing can become a source of frustration. There may be problems with buttons, shoelaces or the inability to get a good grip on a tiny pants zipper.
Consequently, people find workarounds to the issue but not a solution to the problem. The following are some clues that a switch to adaptive clothing is required:
Unfastened clothing
This may seem an obvious sign, but it can manifest in subtle ways: a sweater where the buttons are not fastened (but they are cold); shoe laces that are snagged, broken or dirty (yet the condition of the shoe doesn’t show signs of age) indicating that the shoes are being slipped on/off without being laced/unlaced or wearing zippered pants, but the zipper is consistently down.
Wearing the same thing daily
Everyone has their favourite shirt or pants; however, if you find they are wearing the same outfit every time you see them, or the clothes are perpetually dirty, it could be that this is because it’s the only thing in their closet that they can quickly put on in the morning.
Another common clue is when they are consistently dressed in bedclothes or robes when you visit. Bathrobes, slippers, loose pyjamas and nightgowns usually fit bigger/looser and are easier to wear, decreasing the daily frustration of buttons and zippers. They may also say, “I wasn’t expecting visitors, so what’s the point of getting dressed today?”
Inappropriately dressed for the temperature
Dressing in layers can be problematic and frustrating for the average person (so many extra things to keep track of, too hot/cold). Add arthritic fingers and/or balance issues to a bulky, zippered winter jacket, gloves and winter boots, resulting in a reluctance to leave the house.
If you notice a senior parent wearing lightweight clothing or avoiding layers on frigid winter days, this could be a sign that they are having trouble getting dressed.
While none of these signs are conclusive, if it seems a common occurrence or you see a combination, it could be a sign that your parent could benefit from a switch to adaptive clothing wardrobes. For more information about the Kelowna senior services or Kelowna seniors home support, please contact us.