Many aging adults living with Alzheimer’s become frustrated and confused when people attempt to assist them with basic tasks such as dressing. Even well-intentioned efforts can seem intrusive. If your senior loved one is having difficulty getting dressed, here are several strategies for simplifying this process so he or she can continue dressing with minimal assistance.
Limit Clothing Choices
Too many clothing options can be confusing. It may be best to clear your loved one’s closet and leave only two or three items on hangers. If your loved one shows a preference for a specific clothing type or color, make sure to stock up on these. For example, buying a number of identical shirts could prove helpful if your loved one insists on wearing the same garment multiple times.
Look for Comfortable, Loose-Fitting Clothes
Style should take a back seat to comfort. Clothing should be loose fitting and easy to pull on and off to limit frustration, making the process of getting dressed and undressed as easy as possible. This also applies to socks, underwear, and shoes.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Barrie Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Replace Zippers with Velcro
Fumbling with closures is often the most frustrating part of getting dressed. However, many seniors are still reluctant to request help with these efforts. Replace zippers, buttons, and other closures with Velcro, and stock up on sweatpants and other garments that have drawstring closures.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Label Drawers Clearly
All dresser drawers should be clearly labeled for aging adults who are still capable of dressing themselves almost entirely on their own. You may even want to put up pictures of the items each drawer contains so confusion is minimized. Small efforts like these allow seniors to feel confident and in control.
Coach Your Loved One
Patience is important when helping a senior with Alzheimer’s get dressed. Any coaching you do should be done in a clear voice and with very basic instructions. Try breaking each part of the process down into small increments. Rather than telling your loved one to put his or her shirt on, ask your loved one to put his or her arm into a single sleeve.
Although helping seniors with Alzheimer’s dress themselves can be a challenging and time-consuming endeavor, it’s certainly worth the effort. This basic task can keep your loved one active, engaged, and able to manage an essential part of self-care.
Every senior living with Alzheimer’s deserves high-quality Alzheimer’s care. Barrie families can rely on the caregivers at Home Care Assistance to keep their loved ones safe while managing the symptoms of the disease. Using our Cognitive Therapeutics Method, our caregivers help seniors regain a sense of pride and accomplishment while promoting cognitive health. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at 647-970-3803.