Dressing

  • Recognize the importance of clothing for comfort and self-esteem.
  • Select easy-to-wear clothing - avoid tight-fitting clothes, zippers, buttons.  Replace buttons with velcro.
  • Limit the number of clothing choices - only a few outfits in the closet at a time and store away off-season clothing.
  • Put complete outfits on one hanger.
  • Make separate areas for dressing and undressing.
  • Lay items on the bed in the order that they should be put on.
  • Accept change in dress and grooming as the person's ability to make decisions changes.
  • Remove the hamper from sight to prevent access to dirty clothing.
  • If the person continually wears the same thing, create a reason to change, "you look so nice in blue..." and then remove the old clothes after they change, when the person is not watching.
  • If the person is reluctant to change or undress, create a reason, e.g., "you'll probably feel so much better in clean, fresh clothes ... this new shirt sure smells nice."  Or "let me help you put on these fresh clothes so that we can go to the ice cream parlor."
  • Choose washable, no iron clothing that is one size larger than needed.
  • Provide visual cues to help them change or dress, e.g., clean pants ("Mmm, these pants must have just come back from the laundry; they smell so nice!")
  • Don't argue over, or worry about, how the person looks - choose your battles!  (Don't get hung up on coordination issues)
  • Don't rush them.
  • Buy duplicates, if possible, of favorite clothing.
  • Try privacy screens to enhance feelings of security.
  • Avoid "over the head" items to decrease anxiety.
  • Remove soiled clothing immediately.
  • Contrast the colors of top and bottom to provide a visual cue to lessen difficulties with toileting and undressing.
  • Start undressing by taking off shoes - it's less threatening than taking upper clothing off.
  • Undress the person from under a covering, such as wrapping a towel around their waist before removing pants.
  • For total hands-on care, always explain each step of what you're doing (but avoid long explanations or arguments).  Speak conversationally in between.  ("Boy, it sure is nice outside today.  Maybe you can sit outside for a while after you're dressed.")