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Are you a caregiver for a senior who has
compromised mobility? It is very
difficult to dress someone if they are unable to raise their arms due to a
stroke, arthritis or some other disability.
Perhaps the senior that you care for is in a wheelchair and unable to
stand.
What should you be looking for in clothing
and shoes for the senior in your life?
Seniors often have delicate skin that can be easily torn or chaffed so
it’s important to look for clothes that are not restrictive, that don’t have
prominent tags and have seams that are not raised.
Another area that is of concern is trying
to dress or manoeuvre the person single-handedly. Caregivers may also be unsteady on their feet
or unable to easily move the senior so clothes that can be put on or removed without
having the senior stand is most helpful.
When you’re shopping for your senior look
for clothing that is “adaptive” or “open backed”. That means that the clothes are made in such
a way that the person being dressed can remain either seated or lying
down. It will make it much easier for
the caregiver to dress them.
In order to reduce the frustration for the
senior in your life, look for clothing that has wider sleeves, Velcro or snap
closures, clothes that are looser fitting and pants that are designed to
accommodate incontinence protection.
Remember that seniors feel changes in
temperature more than younger people so choose clothing that is warm for winter
and cool for summer. If the long-term
care facility is air conditioned, the senior may prefer to wear warmer clothes
even during the summer.
Choosing clothes that are washable and
preferably wrinkle-free will make less work for the caregiver (always an
important feature).
Shoes should not have leather or deep
ridged soles nor should they be slide-on slippers or sandals. The shoes should
be wide enough to accommodate swelling without being restrictive; they should
have a Velcro closure and provide support for walking.
It does take a bit of extra work finding
the appropriate clothes that will make life easier for you and your senior but
it will be worth it. Your senior will
feel comfortable and look good and adaptive clothing will mean less physical
and emotional stress for both of you.
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