Article - Dressing Without Stressing

Mark Twain once said "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." There is truth hidden in the humor. How you look affects how you feel, how you behave and how people respond to you. The daily routine of getting dressed is an opportunity for personal expression and helps to strengthen feelings of self worth. It's not hard to see that when arthritis, a stroke or other physical challenges make the task of dressing a dreaded chore, frustration and low self esteem may not be far behind.

No matter what the physical difficulty, looking your best will help you feel better about yourself. You may have to change how you approach the task, but the end result will be worth it. The staff at Dynamic-Living.com offers the following tips and tools to help make getting dressed easier.

What's in the closet already?

1. Eliminate clothing that is worn, dated or doesn't fit. Even if you can get them on, these clothes won't help you look your best.

2. Look over your remaining outfits and set aside those that are no longer easy to get on. Consider updating these outfits with closures that are easier to use. A local tailor or dry cleaner can make some of the following changes to help you wear these clothes again:

• Replace buttons with buttons sewn into an easy press to close material.

• Exchange snaps or buttons for large hook and eye closures.

• Replace tiny zippers with a press to close fabric or a wider zipper with larger pull tabs.

• Make openings larger and easier to negotiate by replacing existing zippers with longer ones.

• Sew loops onto the side of trousers and underwear so that you can pull them up using a reacher or finger.

If the outfits you've set aside can't be modified for easier dressing, seriously consider whether they are worth keeping.

3. Reorganize the closet while you are sorting and as you bring clothes back from the laundry and dry cleaners. Organize by color or hang matching slacks, blouses and sweaters together. The morning selection will be easier and less fatiguing when you don't have to rummage in your closet to make an outfit.

What to look for in new clothes?

Everyone's physical challenges and dressing requirements are different. While buttoning buttons and zipping zippers are frustrating for some, others may have difficulty getting arms through armholes or feet into pant legs. Read through these tips to select the ideas that may work for you.

1. Look at the closures:

• Clothing with press to close tabs, oversized zippers or snaps.

• Clothing with large openings that can be slipped over your head or stepped into

• Flexible pull-over blouses and dresses without fasteners or shirts and dresses with front closures.

• Ponchos and shawls that can slip on easily, instead of jackets.

• Clip-on ties.

• Front fastening or stretchy sports bras.

• Pants, dresses and skirts with elastic waistbands.

• Wrap around skirts and dresses slip on very easily and can accommodate weight changes.

2. The choice of fabric can also make a difference:

• Stretchy fabrics allow for greater freedom of movement. Silky fabrics are easier to slide in and out of.

• Going a size larger will make openings easier to maneuver in or to pull over braces or wraps on your arms or legs. If you are using a wheelchair, bagginess is not as important as the ability to undress easily for toileting. At the same time, consider that very loose clothing might be easy to get into, but may get in the way if frequent transfers are necessary.

• Wearing many thin layers to stay warm can be more comfortable than stiff and bulky fabrics.

• Cotton and wool are comfortable as well as absorbent, but may not last through frequent and harsh washings. A cotton/polyester blend will transfer heat better than a 100% polyester fabric.

• Avoid thick seams if you are sitting for long periods of time.

Dressing tools and techniques can keep you more independent.

You may want to contact an Occupational Therapist who will be able to assess your needs and suggest possible solutions for your particular situation. You may also find that experimenting is the best way to find a technique that will make dressing yourself easier. Other ideas to consider:

• Give yourself plenty of time. Rushing only increases frustration.

• Check the room temperature. Being too hot or too cold may wear you out faster and/or stiffen your muscles.

• Dress in front of a mirror. Locating sleeves and matching buttons to buttonholes becomes much easier when looking at your reflection.

• Play soothing music can set a relaxed pace and help you hum through the task at hand.

• Some people find dressing safer and easier while lying down, especially when pulling up pants. Sitting while dressing will help you to conserve energy.

• Lean against a wall or steady yourself by holding onto a firm post if you need to stand while getting dressed.

• Try dressing a disabled limb first. Reverse the sequence when undressing, taking the garment off the good limb first.

• Fasten buttons with a Button Hook.

• Extend your reach to pull up pants, put on a jacket, and remove socks with a Dressing Stick with a hook at the end or short Reacher.

• Use a Long Shoe Horn to help put on shoes.

• A long handled sock aid will help you pull on socks without bending.

• Wear sneakers with press to close tabs or replace the laces with Elastic Shoelaces.

Try out different methods to help make dressing easier. Experiment with different positions, different fabrics and dressing aids.

Always give yourself plenty of time, especially when you are trying something for the first time. Don't give up just because your first attempt did not meet your expectations. Keep trying, and with practice and creativity, you will find a method that works for you.

© Copyright 2005 Dynamic Living, Inc.
Dynamic Living Newsletter may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

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