As we get older, there are many things that start becoming a challenge, including dressing up every day. Simple everyday tasks like waking up and changing into new clothes become a task. There are many issues that the elderly start facing while wearing the clothing items that they own. 

Sometimes, the clothing items can be too tight for their bodies, leaving a rash behind every time they wear them. Or perhaps the item is too complicated to wear at that age. To make the lives of the elderly easier, the fashion industry came up with a solution. That is – adaptive clothing. 

This type of clothing was designed specifically for the elderly as well as for those with disabilities. These are often velcro clothing that makes it easy to dress the elderly. They look exactly like the other clothing items do, but are easy-to-wear and more comfortable. 

Adaptive clothing allows the elderly to get dressed with very little or no help. 

Features of adaptive clothing

Helpful for those with specific health conditions

As people age, they often develop certain health conditions. There are a few people who are required to wear medical devices on their bodies at all times like monitors or maybe leg braces. It is crucial that the clothing items of those suffering from such conditions are extremely comfortable.

Old people who have some skin conditions are also always in search of clothing that is soft and easy to change-into. Adaptive clothing is available to suit the needs of such elderly people with specific health conditions they might be facing. 

Openings and closures are designed carefully

When you are old, you cannot work around the opening or closing zips and buttons that are specially located on the backside if you are alone. It is simply impossible. Adaptive clothing is designed in such a way that it is extremely easy to remove and wear this type of clothing.

To make it easier for elders to get dressed, these types of clothing items are often equipped with zippers on the side or they have closures that use soft velcro. You can also find ‘button-down’ shirts in the market. These shirts have magnetic closures but look exactly like button closures. 

Plenty of attractive options are available

Many are under the impression that since adaptive clothing is stitched keeping in mind the ‘elders’, the styles would be boring and dull. On the contrary, when it comes to adaptive clothing, it offers you the best of both worlds.

These clothing items are not only functional but also fashionable. These items are created keeping the recent trends in mind. You can find them in bold colours, prints, and also various styles. From denim to flat seams, ask for what you want and you will get it. 

How adaptive clothing helps caretakers?

For elder people, not everyone can get up and get dressed on their own. When they have some sort of medical condition, it obviously is difficult. You will find that many older people with caregivers taking care of them. 

When it comes to dressing the elderly, it can get a little tricky for caregivers as well to get them dressed. With adaptive clothing, things become a lot easier for the caregiver as well. 

Since easy accessibility and wearability is the aim of adaptive clothing, it becomes much less strenuous for caregivers to dress their patients. 

Here’s how caregivers can benefit when they dress the elderly aka their patients in adaptive clothing: 

  • It takes less time to dress their patients as well as undress them. It is also very easy to do the same. 
  • Not everyone is comfortable getting undressed in front of others. When you have adaptive clothing, you add a layer of privacy and comfort for both the patient and the caregiver, making it convenient. 
  • It is a lot safer than regular clothing. Caregivers won’t feel the added pressure of the clothing being too tight or fabric being uncomfortable. 
  • The ease of dressing boosts the confidence of those caregivers who are just starting out. 

Conclusion

We can say that adaptive clothing is a blessing in disguise for both elders and their caregivers. It helps the elders feel free and comfortable throughout the day while giving caregivers a respite too. Moreover, these items may be deemed reasonable expenses and get reimbursed against a disabled person’s NDIS plan.