This Quality Adaptive Clothing Helps Older Adults Get Dressed Easily

Adaptive clothing can be an absolute game changer, helping older adults to get dressed easily.  I know that my older relatives have relied on it to stay independent and stylish as their needs changed.

At ElWell, we’re impressed with the quality adaptive clothing choices available which improve quality of life and mirror conventional clothing. This article looks at these, as well as best buys for comfortable adaptive clothing and adaptive underwear that are perfect for self isolation. Lastly, we’ve looked at some DIY adaptive clothing solutions. Here’s to dressing easily and well!

Quality adaptive clothing that’s fashionable and comfortable can make a great gift. If you want some more unique gift inspiration then check out our article on the best gifts for older people.

What Is Adaptive Clothing?

Getting dressed can become more difficult as people get older. Limited mobility, wheelchair use, difficulty bending down and conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and dementia can all make this daily routine harder.

This is where adaptive clothing can help. As the name suggests, it adapts clothing to make dressing easier for people who need it. Inclusive clothing can be life changing for seniors who live alone, don’t want help getting dressed, are in an assisted living facility or want to reduce their amount of home care support.

Let’s look at how adaptive clothing works, and our favourite adaptive clothing brand.

How Adaptive Clothing Works

Adaptive apparel is designed to go on and off easily, making getting dressed easier for your elderly loved one. If you’re considering it for your older parents (or yourself) then this table explains how adaptive clothing works.

Mobility Problem	Adaptive Clothing Solution
Zips and buttons are hard to grasp and do up	Easy but secure touch discreet velcro fastenings and closures are used. Ideal for older adults with less strength and dexterity in their fingers
Senior has limited strength and balance ability	Limited strength and balance increases the risk of falling over. Wrap style skirts and dresses make for quicker, easier and safer dressing for women. Velcro fly fastenings for men mean there is less risk of falling over
Clothing closures need a full range of motion	Closures are easy to reach, helping people with limited mobility
Seniors with cognitive difficulties find it hard to get dressed	Colour co-ordinating on the inside of adaptive apparel can help seniors get dressed correctly
Jewellery and accessory closures are hard to grasp, open or close if someone has limited hand mobility	Magnetic closures, clip on options and velcro fastenings ensure people can still feel fully dressed. After all, accessories can make an outfit!

Where To Buy Adaptive Clothing

At ElWell, we’re big fans of The Able Label. This UK-based company was started by Katie Ellis who, like us, was inspired by her grandparent to start her company. Katie’s grandmother had Parkinson’s disease, and getting dressed was difficult.

The Able Label uses quality fabrics, discreety adaptive clothing designs and innovative fastenings to help seniors with limited movement, cognitive decline, or restricted finger dexterity stay independent. Plus they offer VAT exemption.

Stylish Adaptive Clothing For Women

Just because we’re getting older doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice on style! In our opinion, The Able Label’s adaptive clothing fuses quality, practicality and value. Here is our pick of The Able Label’s adaptive clothing for women.

Adaptive Clothing Blouses And Tops

Comfortable Adaptive Clothing For Self Isolation

We’re all spending more time at home now, which calls for comfortable adaptive clothing. Our best buys for comfortable and accessible adaptive clothing during this time are below.

The Easy Pull On Adaptive Lounge Trouser

You will want to wear these all day, every day! These Natalia straight leg lounge trousers are made from stretch fabric and have an elasticated waistband with pull cord, for the perfect fit. Helping senior women stay stylish and get dressed easily, even during lockdown.

The T-Shirt That Helps You Avoid Overhead Dressing

There’s more to the Tabby Jersey Tee than meets the eye. It opens at the front and fastens securely with velcro so you can avoid overhead dressing. £39.95 and up to size 22.

Great for people with limited mobility, it’s easy to get on and off. It also has a high neckline and side vents which allow the tee to open further when seated for added comfort.

Adaptive Nightwear For Seniors

Front Opening Velcro Nightdress & Adaptive Pyjama Set

Comfortable And Practical Adaptive Underwear For Seniors

Adaptive Bras

Lots of older women have to start putting on their bra back to front, doing it up at the front and then shuffling it round (or rely on someone else to do the fastening for them). Adaptive bras are easy to put on and do up, so senior women can once again do this daily dressing themselves! Ideal for people with poor eyesight or arthritis in their fingers.

We like the Comfi Bra. Like the name suggests, it’s comfortable! Non-wired, non-padded it has a front velcro fastening and padded shoulder straps. Also great for women who are recovering from any type of breast surgery.

Women’s Underwear With Built In Pads

As we get older, urinary incontinence becomes more common. These leakproof briefs help keep seniors comfortable, dry and secure. With a built in absorbent pad, these heavy duty 100% cotton high waisted briefs are machine washable so there’s no need for other products. Making them an environmentally-friendly investment worth making.

The Super Absorbent Washable Full Brief Knickers come in black and white for £19.96.

Adapted Jewellery

My great aunt was super stylish and always prided herself on dressing well. As she got older though, she found the clasps on her jewellery difficult to open and close. So what did she do? She found adapted jewellery, which used strong magnetic closures instead of the conventional closures. Meaning she could continue to wear the bling which made her feel so good throughout her old age. 

The Able Label have some great options for adapted jewellery, using magnetic clasps and clip on earrings.

Adaptive Clothing For Men

If my dad is anything to go by, he isn’t fully dressed unless he has belt on. But belts can be tricky to do up as men get older.

This adaptive leather belt looks exactly like you would expect, but uses hidden velcro to secure. Costs £29.95.

At ElWell, we’re passionate about educating people on fall prevention – as so many falls are preventable. Backless slippers are a huge falls risk for the elderly. So we’re always keen to hear about slipper alternatives.

These super soft wool blend socks have a non-slip grip sole and are a great alternative to slippers for the elderly (and much safer, as backless slippers cause a lot of falls in the home). Available for men and women, these non slip slipper socks cost £10 per pair.

Buy And Try – Return For Free

You can find adaptive clothing at The Able Label online (or order their catalogue). They offer free returns, so you can buy and try with no pressure.

DIY Adaptive Clothing And Accessories

We love The Able Label! But if you want to get crafty and try to DIY some adaptive clothing for your favourite senior, then here are some easy tips for people with limited hand mobility.

Make Your Own Adapted Handbag

Intricate closures (zips, small buttons etc) on bags can be hard to do up for people with arthritis. Remove the zip and replace it with easy to touch poppers or  a large button and a big hoop made out of fabric.

Make Your Own Adapted Jewellery

If your parent has a necklace or bracelet that they love but can no longer wear due to the clasp, then this DIY tip could help. Get some thin elastic (choose one which matches the colour of the necklace – there are metallic options available). Thread it through the clasp and tie a loop. Hey presto, you’ve made a secure fastening which allows the necklace or bracelet to be placed over head or wrist.

Make Your Own Adapted Trousers

As we get older, getting to the toilet in time and then undoing the requisite zips and buttons can be difficult. Change the fly, replacing the current clasp with a hidden velcro fastening. If your sewing isn’t the best, you can even buy ready cut velcro which is sticky on the reverse and can be attached to the trousers.

Conclusion

The daily routine of getting dressed can become harder as we get older. Adaptive clothing can really help here, giving seniors more independence. Adaptive clothing is a great option for people with limited mobility who struggle with conventional clothing, are in a nursing home or assisted living facility or want to reduce their dependence on carers to help them get dressed. There are some fantastic quality adaptive clothing solutions out there.

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