Do you suffer from incontinence? Are you wondering about the best clothes to wear to make things easier?
Here’s what you need to know about adaptive clothing and why it’s a perfect fit for people suffering from incontinence.
What Is Adaptive Clothing?
These are specially designed clothes to make things easier for people who have a hard time dressing. Adaptive clothing can help older adults spend much less time on tiring tasks like getting dressed. It allows them to continue enjoying independence when it comes to dressing themselves effortlessly.
Why Do Incontinent People Need Adaptive Clothing?
Urinary incontinence happens when a person leaks urine accidentally. It can happen to everyone, but it’s more common in elderly people, especially women.
It may happen due to many reasons, including vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, or constipation. Also, there are some medications that may cause bladder control problems.
Yes, elderly people suffering from incontinence also require adaptive clothing. That way, it’s easier to remove or put on the clothing when they need to relieve or are done relieving themselves.
If they wear regular clothes, they might end up staining or damaging them. Therefore, adaptive clothing for senior citizens with incontinence is very important.
What Types Of Adaptive Clothing Help People With Incontinence?
Are you looking to buy adaptive clothing for your elderly loved ones with incontinence?
Here are some of the most popular types of adaptive clothes you need to consider.
1. Velcro Clothing
Remember, frequent changing is necessary for an elderly person suffering from incontinence. Therefore, there should be enough underwear and different types of clothes.
That’s where Velcro clothing comes in handy. They are easy to wear and remove when necessary. There is no unnecessary buttoning or unbuttoning. They are perfect for elderly people who are suffering from incontinence.
2. Clothing With Magnetic Closures
They are perfect for elderly people suffering from incontinence because they are easy to dress and undress. Since there are no buttons or clasps, it’s easy to remove magnetic closure clothing when the need arises.
They can be used on different types of clothes, so your elderly loved one isn’t limited to one type of fashion, especially if they are suffering from incontinence.
3. Elastic Waist Pants
Senior citizens also require independence as they dress in their old age. Therefore, elastic waist pants are perfect for anyone suffering from incontinence.
They are easy to pull up and pull down whenever the need arises. Even better, they are not tight-fitting, so your loved one will feel at ease wearing them throughout the day.
4. Open Back Clothing
When your elderly loved one is suffering from incontinence, you may never know when they need to relieve themselves. As such, it’s important to consider clothes with an open back. That way, they will have an easy time relieving themselves whenever possible.
Of course, senior citizens deserve respect even in their old age, so you need to invest in open-back clothing that is respectable to your elderly loved ones. The most popular types are open-backed gowns and open-backed shirts.
How Does Adaptive Clothing Make Caring For People With Incontinence Easier?
If you are wondering whether or not you should invest in adaptive clothing for your elderly loved ones suffering from incontinence, here are a few reasons to do it immediately.
1. Easy Dressing
Thanks to adaptive clothing, it’s now easier for your elderly loved ones to dress up whether or not they are sitting down in a wheelchair, lying down, or moving around. So, the dressing doesn’t have to be a huge chore, thanks to these amazing clothes that are easy to put on and take off.
2. Reduces Risk Injury
Due to the various types of adaptive clothing available, your elderly loved one can dress faster without rolling, repositioning, or lifting. As such, there is a considerable risk of injury to your senior loved one and yourself as the caregiver.
3. Reducing Awkward Joint Movement
If your elderly loved one suffers from arthritis or any other joint-related disease as well as incontinence, it’s easier to help them dress using adaptive clothing. Since it reduces joint movement, it’s easier to dress up with little to no movement.
4. Easier To Dress When Using A Lifting Machine
Does your elderly loved one need to use a lifting machine when getting in and out of bed? Well, it’s also easier to dress them up using adaptive clothing regardless of the lifting machine. You don’t have to compromise your loved ones’ position as they dress up.
5. Avoid Disrobing
When your elderly loved one is suffering from incontinence, it may be easy for them to stay without clothes since there is a lot of effort in dressing up and down every time. However, with adaptive clothing, they can dress up anytime they feel so without necessarily disrobing.
Therefore, you need to invest in the best adaptive clothing for your loved one suffering from incontinence for these and more benefits.
Where Can You Buy Adaptive Clothing For Incontinence?
Since adaptive clothing is specially designed for people suffering from various ailments, especially incontinence, you need to make sure you find the best clothes for your elderly loved ones.
Even some of the high-end stores carry these clothes. Regardless of your budget, you should be able to find the best adaptive clothing for anyone suffering from incontinence effortlessly.
Here are some of my favorites:
Ovidis
Use code GWG10 to save 10% off regular prices.
Ovidis is a specialty manufacturer of clothing for people with physical or cognitive difficulties. They offer unique and innovative designs for easy and stress-free dressing by older adults, the disabled, or their caregivers.
Zappos
Zappos offers much more than adaptive shoes. They offer many adaptive clothing items as well from many of the popular adaptive clothing brands. Plus, they have an Advisory Council that reviews and selects the items they choose to sell.
Dignity Pajamas
Dignity Pajamas has created a nice niche in adaptive sleepwear for men and women. They offer many styles of sleep shirts, pajamas, and gowns with open backs and velcro closures.
Amazon Adaptive Clothing
Being one of the world’s largest retailers, Amazon offers a wide selection of adaptive clothing from many of the most popular manufacturers. Another benefit to purchasing from Amazon is their easy to navigate website and generous return policies.
Etsy
Etsy is a great place to find one-of-a-kind adaptive clothing pieces that aren’t mass-marketed. Some Etsy sellers even offer custom-made items for special situations or will make special sizes for larger or smaller people.
JCPenney
JCPenney offers a decent selection of adaptive clothing made by standard clothing manufacturers like St. John’s Ba, a.n.a., and Worthington. Plus sizes are available too.
You can also find adaptive clothing through brands dedicated specifically to the craft. A few examples include:
Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive
Perhaps a surprising addition to the list is well-known fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger who has a line of adaptive clothing for both adults and children. His shop is a great choice for the more fashion-forward person.
Seven7 Adaptive
This company focuses on creating stylish denim jeans that use adaptive technology like Velcro or elastic waistbands. Several of their styles are even wheelchair-friendly!
RELATED: Ultimate List of Top Adaptive Clothing Brands and Retailers
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Types Of Clothing Hide Briefs And Adult Diapers?
If your elderly loved one is wearing adult diapers or briefs, it’s important to find the right clothes that will hide these items. Well, loose clothes are always a good idea. Even better, they can wear jeans, especially high-waisted jeans for the best results.
For elderly female loved ones, dresses, leggings, skirts, joggers, and sweatpants are also a great idea. Remember, hiding away adult diapers is a great way to make your elderly loved one feel respected even in their old age.
Therefore, give them their dignity back by ensuring they wear the right type of clothes.
2. What Can A Man Wear For Incontinence?
If your elderly male loved one is suffering from incontinence, the best clothes for them would include clothes with magnetic closures at the front or Velcro zippers.
On the other hand, pants with elastic waists are perfect for pulling down quickly and whenever necessary.
3. Is Adaptive Clothing Covered By Medicare Or Medicaid?
No adaptive clothing is not covered by any type of insurance. You will have to buy these clothes out of your pocket. Therefore, make sure you invest in the most durable clothes for your elderly loved one with incontinence to avoid repeat purchases.
Also, you need to buy clothes that are easy to wash and clean.
Final Thoughts
Over the years, adaptive clothing has become useful for most people, especially senior citizens. Now, they don’t have to suffer through the indignity of incontinence or feel bad when someone has to clean them afterwards.
With these types of adaptive clothing, they can easily relieve themselves whenever necessary. Even better, they can retain their independence and dignity in their old age.
Adaptive clothing for senior citizens suffering from incontinence has definitely come a long way. Therefore, take time to find the best adaptive clothes for your elderly loved ones and make sure they retain their independence when it comes to dressing themselves.
Note that, with little to no movement when it comes to wearing adaptive clothing, they don’t necessarily have to ask for help.
