What Is Adaptive Clothing And How Can It Make Elderly Care Easier

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If you care for an elderly relative or loved one, you should consider whether or not adaptive clothing can make providing care easier for you, as dressing an individual with special needs of mobility problems can be challenging. Adaptive clothing is clothing designed specifically for individuals with certain disabilities like mobility problems. There are many different types of adaptive clothing available that can accommodate individuals with various health problems and mobility restrictions. 

The following are a few examples of conditions that are common in the elderly that can be made more manageable with the assistance of adaptive clothing:

Incontinence

Incontinence is one of the most common conditions with which elderly individuals suffer. Individuals experiencing bladder control issues often need to wear adult incontinence aids on a regular basis, and these incontinence aids can sometimes be visible when worn with traditional clothing. They can also cause comfort issues unless they are accommodated with adaptive clothing.

Adaptive clothing designed for those suffering with bladder problems is designed to be looser around the hips and in the groin area so that incontinence aids can be worn easily and comfortably. 

Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, and Brain Disorders Affecting Memory

Elderly individuals suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia will sometimes disrobe at inappropriate moments due to forgetfulness or confusion. For these patients, adaptive clothing has been designed to lock in place so that it can only be removed by a caregiver. 

Arthritis

Patients with arthritis often have trouble or experience discomfort when attempting to manipulate clothing fasteners like buttons and zippers.

Adaptive clothing designed for individuals with arthritis typically features fasteners that are easier to manipulate. For example, adaptive clothing often uses fabric fasteners or hook and loop fasteners that can be fastened simply by applying a small amount of pressure. 

Parkinson's Disease and Other Movement Disorders

Those who suffer from Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders like paraplegia and multiple sclerosis have trouble bending or flexing into the positions that are necessary to dress with traditionally designed clothing. These patients have trouble with muscle and joint movement that can make dressing almost impossible without the assistance of adaptive clothing.

Adaptive clothing designed for patients with movement disorders often features open backs and snap closures that make it unnecessary for the elderly to bend or rotate the joints excessively in order to get dressed. While this clothing makes dressing easier, it still typically requires the assistance of a senior home care attendant for individuals to get dressed. 

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13 October 2015

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