4 minute read
Caregiver Corner
ADAPTIVE
Get Dressed With Ease CLOTHING
BY KIMBERLY BLAKER
As a caregiver, if you're assisting your family member with dressing, you may be in search of clothing options that make the process easier or allow your loved one more independence. In the past, adaptive clothes were hard to find, offered limited choices and focused on function without consideration to style. Now many more options are available to fit specific needs or fashion preferences.
Women's Adaptive Open Back Gabardine Pants $51 Tommy Hilfiger Magnetic Bomber Jacket $90
Buck & Buck Snap Back Sweat Top $30 Velcro Side Fastener Bra $50
1. ALTERNATIVE FASTENERS
Traditional clothes fasteners like buttons and even zippers can be difficult for older adults and even for a caregiver trying to help them. Common alternatives to simplify this both for caregivers in assisting and for individuals to dress include velcro and magnet fasteners along the seam.
• Tommy Hilfiger has an adaptive line with many features, including a whole section for easy closures like magnets, velcro, and one-handed zippers. • Buck & Buck is an adaptive clothing line that includes shirts for men that look like button-ups but use velcro in the front and even have velcro cuffs. • Target has adaptive clothing, such as the Velcro Side Fastener Bra with front closure for ease.
2. OPENINGS ON THE BACK AND SIDE
As a caregiver, it can be easier to dress someone when the fasteners are on the back or sides, providing the wearer more privacy. In addition, clothes that open on the sides or back are much easier to put on and take off, even when the wearer is seated or lying down.
• Silverts has Alzheimer’s Kits for women and men that include anti-strip jumpsuits with closures on the back. • Ovidis has adaptive pants with back panel access, like the
Sophie pants for women. • Buck & Buck has a large selection of all types of clothing with closures on the back.
Buck & Buck Short Sleeve Sport Shirt with VELCRO® $38 Silverts Women's Adaptive Open Back High-Low Top $45
NIKE Flyease $68 – $200
Silverts Womens Zipper Easy Access Shoes $116
3. WORKAROUND MEDICAL DEVICES
Seniors may require specific medical devices like braces, catheters, monitors or wheelchairs which interfere with traditional clothing. Specially designed clothing makes dressing and undressing easier and more comfortable while not interfering with medical function or needing to check devices.
• Silverts has wheelchair-specific clothing, like the Wheelchair Gabardine Pants for Men. These allow you to dress from a seated position and are designed to be comfortable and keep everything covered while sitting. • Elder Wear and Aids also has a wheelchair-friendly adaptive clothing section with pants, dresses, shirts, and more. • Buck & Buck offers urinary catheter clothing, which allows for easier access when emptying or checking the collection bag.
4. ADAPTIVE FOOTWEAR
Proper footwear that's easy to get on and off and is also comfortable is essential. Shoes should have a wide opening and have a simple fastener. They should also have enough room for potential swelling, be stable and non-slip, padded to reduce foot stress, easy to walk in and fit around braces or any other devices around the foot.
• Nike has an adaptive sneaker line called Flyease that is easy to get on and off one-handed. • Zappos is a large shoe retailer which has a section where you can filter for all the adaptive shoe brands they offer in one place. • Those with diabetes may benefit from Silverts diabetic footwear.
Looking for Answers?
Call LIFE’s SeniorLine (918) 664-9000
LIFE’S ADULT DAY HEALTH
Safe, affordable daytime care for older adults. Call (918) 664-9000 for more information or visit www.LIFEseniorservices.org LIFE’s Adult Day Health is following active safety protocols.
• All bills paid • Inside hallways • Emergency call system • Subsidy available • Quiet location • Small pets welcome
(918) 455-8400
5001 S. Hickory • Broken Arrow, OK (SE of 111th St. & 161st E. Ave.)
Treetops Apartments
Independent Senior Living
Treetops does not discriminate against individuals with handicaps.
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Club LIFE welcomes individuals diagnosed with early memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other related disorders. Club LIFE is designed to enhance memory, improve physical strength and balance, stimulate brain function and provide social support. In addition, Club LIFE supports caregivers through personal consultation, education about early memory loss and support groups.
