The growing senior population has resulted in more fashionable adaptive clothing manufacturers offering high-quality, affordable, easy-access clothing. Workable, stylish clothing is now available in a wide variety of styles to meet various dressing challenges.
Finding Fashionable Adaptive Clothing Manufacturers for Elderly People
Manufacturers typically inventory a wide variety of adaptive clothing for seniors in order to help meet the needs of an aging population. Some seniors who might benefit from adaptive clothing include the following:
- Alzheimer's patients
- Arthritis patients
- Disabled individuals
- Nursing home residents
- Wheelchair-bound individuals
- People with foot problems
- People experiencing incontinence
- Full-figured individuals
Tommy Adaptive by Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger's adaptive line is primarily for people with disabilities but has features that can make dressing easier for seniors who have limited range of motion. Magnetic closures, VELCRO, and adjustable hems make this stylish clothing easier to put on and take off. Since Hilfiger clothing is generally more expensive to begin with because of the designer label, expect to pay more for these adaptive items. For example, a sweatshirt is around $70 and a shirtdress is around $120.
JLine Adaptive Clothing
JLine, available through the Silvert's website, offers casual, fashionable adaptive clothing such as jeans and shirts all featuring easy closures with magnets, making the clothing much easier to put on and take off. This clothing is appropriate for those utilizing wheelchairs, but also for seniors with arthritis or other conditions that can make the process of dressing difficult or painful. Button-up collared shirts start around $60 and jeans are around $50.
Target
Mass retailer Target launched an adaptive clothing line for both women and men. This is one of the best sources for fashionable clothing that is adaptive at a reasonable price. Not all the line is targeted to ease of dressing for seniors as some items are adaptive to people with sensory processing issues. Browse their offerings to find clothing appropriate for easier dressing. With shirts that start around $15 and jeans starting around the same price, this collection is one of the most affordable available that maintains a stylish look.
Silvert's Offers Easy Wear, Easy Care Clothing
Silvert's has provided easy-wear, easy-care clothing for men and women since 1930. Their inventory includes dresses and separates, nightwear, bras, outerwear and footwear. All of their fashions are designed for easy care in both personal laundries and the rough and tough environment of an industrial laundry. Their prices are moderate and they offer gift certificates.
Buck & Buck Offers Velcro Clothing for Seniors
Buck & Buck was created by a nursing home worker who knew first-hand how difficult it was to find fashions that could be customized to meet the specific needs of an individual in a nursing home setting. For example, Buck & Buck will convert a front-opening garment so that it also has a back-opening option. In addition to special alterations, they also offer free labeling and hemming.
Professional Fit Clothing Meets the Needs of an Aging Population
Professional Fit Clothing prides itself on having stylish, adaptive fit clothing to meet the needs of all ages. Their inventory includes the basic easy-access separates as well as a variety of easy-to-wear accessories such as suspenders, belts and neckties. They offer free labeling. They will also customize a garment for a nominal fee.
Comfort Clothing Offers Adaptive Pants and Shorts for Senior Men
Comfort Clothing offers a basic line of dresses, separates, underwear, socks and hospital gowns with easy dressing features. All of their garments are easy-care, high-quality designs which will be long-lasting when washed in group care industrial laundry facilities. Free labeling is available.
Medical Issues and Self-Dressing
It can become very difficult for an individual to dress himself when he becomes physically or mentally challenged with Alzheimer's, arthritis, muscle weakness or other medical issues. Getting fingers to move easily enough to button a button, zip a zipper or tie a shoelace can become impossible.
In addition to movement issues, individuals may also develop special medical issues that make it difficult to be comfortable in standard off-the-rack fashions and shoes. For example:
- An individual who has trouble standing may not be able to step into pants.
- A foot condition could cause swelling of the feet throughout the day, requiring a shoe or slipper that can adapt to the foot's changing size.
- A person who requires the assistance of a caregiver to get dressed may prefer garments that close in the back, instead of in the front.
Adaptive Clothing Makes Dressing Easier
For many years, people with dexterity problems or medical issues were faced with the choice of either wearing shapeless clothing that resembled hospital gowns or relying on someone else to dress them. Several fashionable adaptive clothing manufacturers have developed clothing that is easy to get on and off. This "adaptive" clothing is designed in such a way that it still maintains the look of clothing that does not have these easy-access features. For example:
- Velcro-type closures instead of buttons
- Open-back blouses, shirts and dresses with Velcro-type closures that still retain the traditional button styling on the front
- Lap-over back style garments with snaps for the individual who cannot raise their arms
- Zippers with easy-to-grasp pull tabs
- Pants with side zippers
- Seatless pants for the incontinent individual
- Shoes with Velcro-type closures instead of shoelaces
- Slippers that adjust in width to accommodate swollen feet and ankles
This easy-access clothing also makes it easier for family and group caregivers to provide dressing assistance.
Shop for the Best Features
Each manufacturer has developed their own customized features for their adaptive clothing. You may find that the clothing from one manufacturer is better at meeting your particular needs. For example, most adaptive clothing manufacturers offer Velcro-like front closures; however, some closures require more physical strength than others to operate. If you can't find what you need - ask. Most manufacturers are willing to customize a design to meet specific needs.
