One of the most common symptoms of dementia is loss of memory, which leaves many people feeling helpless and frustrated. For example, a person with dementia may forget how to dress or remember how to do so in the morning but not be able to perform the task at hand when they get up in the evening. This can make dressing an arduous process for those living with this disease.
However, there are ways that you can help your loved one stay safe while also making it as easy as possible for them to get dressed each day. You want them to feel comfortable and safe but don’t want to hurt their feelings by doing all the work yourself. Our memory care community in Statesville, NC, is here to help! Here are six things we do that make it easier for residents with dementia:
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The Right Clothing
When caring for someone with dementia, it can be challenging to find suitable clothing. These patients may have trouble dressing and may have a hard time remembering what clothes they have on. As such, they must be able to wear comfortable clothes that are easy to put on and take off.
Memory care communities provide clothing options that make dressing easier for dementia patients by doing one simple thing. We have team members who help our residents get dressed daily (or at least as often as possible). This allows them to get used to having someone else do their laundry or ironing, so they don’t develop bad habits like over-washing their clothes or using too much heat when drying them off to ensure everything looks nice again.
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Adaptive Clothing
Adaptive clothing can help make dressing easier for people with dementia or other disabilities. The garments have Velcro closures, zippers that are easy to operate, and pockets in the front for personal items. These features allow you to keep your loved one’s routine intact by enabling them to dress without assistance from a caregiver.
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Simplifying Closets
A memory care community can help simplify your loved one’s closet by removing unnecessary clothing and accessories, such as jewelry and scarves. This will make it easier for them to dress without getting frustrated or confused by their options.
To further simplify their closet, consider removing items that are too complicated for them to put on (such as jackets with many buttons). You can also consider removing a few pieces that don’t fit anymore due to weight gain or loss over time.
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Designated Dressers
Some communities have designated dressers to help residents get dressed. These are usually team members trained to help dementia patients with clothes and accessories, such as shoes and jewelry. They may also be responsible for assisting with bathing or showering if that needs to happen before getting dressed each morning.
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Assistive Technology
Assistive technology can be a great help in dressing. For example, some people with dementia may have difficulty remembering to put on their clothes or shoes. A smartwatch could remind them when it’s time to get dressed and guide them step-by-step by providing verbal cues.
Conclusion
We hope you found this post informative and helpful. We’re here to help make dressing easier for your older loved one, no matter what stage of dementia they are in. If you have any questions about how we can help, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!