Struggling to find practical, stylish velcro clothes for yourself or an aging parent or senior loved one?
You’re not alone. Many caregivers share their frustrations with me over the limited, unflattering options out there.
But there are solutions. Quality adaptive clothing brands now offer fashionable velcro-closure shirts, pants, and dresses specifically designed for older adults.
When choosing velcro clothes for seniors:
- Aim for sturdy, tightly-woven velcro that will withstand wear and tear.
- Softer, more flexible velcro is also ideal to avoid noise and irritation.
- For those with limited mobility, side and back openings provide the easiest access.
- Front closures and adjustable waists offer adaptive support too.
- Prioritize natural fabrics like cotton and bamboo that are breathable and comfortable for sensitive skin.
The right velcro clothes lend confidence, dignity, and independence. They make dressing and bathroom use easier for the elderly while allowing them to maintain their personal style.
This guide shares my top picks to help you find adaptive, accessible options that meet your loved one’s needs and preferences affordably.
Types of Velcro Clothing for Seniors
Velcro isn’t just used on shoes and shirts. It can be applied to almost every type of clothing. Here are some of the most common types used by seniors.
1. Velcro Closure Pants
This type of adaptive clothing simply replaces the metal zipper with a safe and simple Velcro strip. Using a zipper can be as difficult as tying a knot when you suffer from a serious joint condition.
Seniors may be unable to firmly grip the zipper head and may even hurt themselves while trying. Velcro closure pants work just as effectively and are easy to use.
In terms of appearance, Velcro closure pants look like any normal pair of pants. The Velcro isn’t visible, and nobody could tell the difference. They come in many of the same styles, materials, and colors as traditional pants.
2. Velcro Closure Shirts
The shirts are designed with the same technique in mind but replace the buttons near the shirt’s collar. Buttons are another problematic design technique that seniors can struggle with.
With a Velcro enclosure, they can seal the top of their shirt and have some confidence in their appearance.
These are also available as full dress shirts with patches of Velcro running down the separation in place of buttons. Some styles will use faux buttons on the outside for the sake of appearance. Velcro dress shirts are perfect for the workplace or formal events.
3. Velcro Shorts
Depending on where you live, you might have particularly hot summers. A reliable pair of Velcro shorts will make the heat easier to endure. Or you might feel more comfortable in a pair of shorts.
In either case, you can keep them closed and in place using Velcro. Any potential zipper, button, or string on the shorts is removed, and a simple Velcro patch is left in its place.
4. Velcro Bras & Undergarments
Bras and undergarments can be some of the most difficult clothing for seniors to wear or take off. It can be difficult for many of us, even when we’re younger. Velcro changes it from a tedious task to a simple maneuver.
Bras can even be sealed in the front to make managing the connection easier. The traditional metal hooks or buttons are replaced with a Velcro patch.
Where to Buy Velcro Clothing
Velcro adaptive clothing is readily available at most large retail or clothing markets nationwide. Of course, some outlets will have access to better brands or a larger variety.
Ordering through an online retailer will give you the greatest selection, but you won’t be able to try on the clothes at the store. Here are a few of the biggest sources of Velcro clothing.
Resident Essentials
Use code Grace20 to save 10%
With over 20 years of experience, Resident Essentials
specializes in adaptive clothing featuring velcro closures, offering a wide selection of velcro pants, robes, dusters, shoes, and undergarments for both men and women. The velcro modifications simplify dressing for people with disabilities or limited mobility.
Resident Essentials caters directly to nursing homes and facilities, providing free services like shipping, name labeling, and rewards programs.
Their decades of focus on velcro-adaptive clothing makes Resident Essentials a leading choice for families and caregivers seeking quality, easy-to-wear velcro options to improve daily living.
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!
MagnaReady
MagnaReady specializes in clothes that rely on magnetic closure devices.
Why Do Some Seniors Struggle with Dressing Themselves?
Aging can negatively impact the body in a myriad of ways. Seniors may struggle with dressing due to a lack of strength, flexibility, or movement. These are most often the symptom of a disability, such as cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s, or arthritis.
Dozens of other diseases and disabilities could impact a senior’s ability to fully dress.
In some cases, adaptive clothing may be enough for seniors who struggle dressing. Some seniors who were unable to get dressed due to arthritis can now get dressed themselves using Velcro and other adaptive styles.
However, other seniors will still require the assistance of a care provider to change clothes. Adaptive clothing for seniors and the elderly will make the job much easier for both parties.
How Does Velcro Clothing for Seniors Make Dressing Easier for Older Adults?
Zippers and laces can be problematic regardless of your age. Many older adults have experienced joint damage or are suffering from joint disease. The most common example of this is arthritis.
Conditions like these make it nearly impossible for a person to properly handle a lace or a zipper. It may also be severely painful for the senior.
Velcro is one of the several types of adaptive clothing that can effectively replace laces and zippers. Many of the best shoes designed for seniors rely on Velcro instead of laces.
The same goes for pants, shirts, and some jackets. It’s always faster and easier to work with clothing that uses Velcro.
The most common place you’ll find Velcro attached is the closure. Having Velcro on the closure is what makes the clothes easy to take on and put off. It may even be combined with other adaptive clothing techniques in the same article of clothing.
These combined benefits make dressing even more approachable for older adults.
Velcro clothing may also be designed to help with a particular condition that an older adult might have. Some seniors need to wear special equipment or have other physical needs that a designer needs to consider.
Regardless of their conditions, there is some type of adaptive clothing that will make their life more manageable.
We all want to think we look good when we take the time to get dressed. That doesn’t necessarily change once you grow older. It’s important that everyone has a variety of clothing options available to express themselves and feel confident.
The market for Velcro clothing has skyrocketed over the years, and more brands than ever are producing adaptive clothing.
There’s now more than enough Velcro clothing to accommodate everyone’s personal style. Some seniors have existing articles of clothing modified to include a Velcro closure. This means seniors don’t necessarily have to change their style because of a certain condition.
How Does Velcro Clothing Make Life Easier for Caregivers of the Elderly?
Seniors aren’t the only people who benefit from Velcro clothing. It makes the job a lot easier for the caregiver as well. Fast and simple closures mean less time can be spent on getting dressed.
It’s particularly helpful for professional caregivers, volunteers, and family members.
Caregivers who are new to the job will quickly appreciate how easy it is to dress someone using Velcro. The fast process helps build confidence for everyone involved.
The right Velcro clothing can help the seniors regain a measure of independence in their daily lives. More independence for the senior will mean more freedom for the caregiver.
You don’t necessarily need to cover every article of clothing with Velcro to see a noticeable improvement. Even just one or two difficult pieces of clothing will cause a difference.
FAQs
Q: Can You Make Your Own Velcro Clothing for Seniors?
A: Absolutely. It’s fairly easy to modify existing clothing with Velcro patches. Many people remove the buttons and zippers entirely from the clothing and then attach Velcro in their place.
It has all of the benefits of commercially-made adaptive clothing and may even cost less. It also means that you can help seniors modify their favorite pieces of clothing rather than replace their wardrobes.
Q: How Can You Add Velcro to Existing Clothing to Make it Easier for Seniors?
A: Adding Velcro to clothing can be a very simple process if you purchase the right products. The easiest method is to purchase Velcro strips that already have an adhesive side.
You will remove the strip covering the adhesive and attach it to the clothes. The adhesive requires at least 24 hours to fully set, so prepare ahead of time and don’t wear the clothes on the day you modify them.
If you have the sewing skills, then you can sew a patch of Velcro for a more permanent solution. A patch of Velcro that is sewed on is less likely to break over time.
Q: Does Medicare or Medicaid Pay for Adaptive Clothing for Seniors?
A: No. Despite the clear benefits associated with adaptive clothing, they will not cover the cost of adaptive clothing. Luckily, adaptive clothing from most brands is not incredibly expensive.
And if you choose to add Velcro to existing clothes, then you can cut down on costs significantly.
Conclusion
Adaptive clothing helps seniors maintain some dignity and confidence in their abilities. It also benefits caregivers who assist seniors with dressing. Velcro can be used on shoes, shirts, pants, and undergarments to seal the closure without buttons, zippers, or strings.
If you’re a senior or a caretaker, then we strongly suggest investing in a few pieces of Velcro clothing. Or you could even get creative and add the Velcro yourself.
