9. How can I help my client choose suitable clothing?
Key points
Clothing style
Think about the type of clothes your client likes to wear and try to keep this the same, even if they become incontinent or struggle with dressing for the toilet. Keeping their usual style can help people feel good about how they look. You may need to negotiate with your client, encouraging them to adapt their clothing to be more practical and manage their toileting independently.
Small changes can be made to clothes so they are easier to manage, without changing the style too much. For example, if a man usually wears trousers with a belt, he might not like wearing jogging bottoms. Instead, his trousers could be altered to an elasticated waistband, so they are easier to pull up and down but still look like his normal style. If using a continence pad, the underwear needs to be able to hold the pad snugly to the body.
Velcro can be used in place of buttons and hooks, making it easier for your clients to get their clothes on and off and dress independently.
“It could be, are we dressing or is there a dress code? And the code then welcomes the suggestion of what are the things that we need to wear that are going to be comfortable, not make the person feel inferior or awkward, but are adaptable or can be easily manipulated in a time when you have to take some pretty quick action”.
Take your time
People with dementia may become flustered if they are rushed. Give them enough time to change out of wet or soiled clothing and be led by your client as to how much help they want. Encourage them to choose the clothes they want to wear rather than making the choice for them, helping them to stay in control.
“It’s not a five minute job, you need to give that person plenty of time to: ‘Okay, I need to take my wet clothes off, I need to put my dry clothes on, I need to make sure that I’m not putting my wet clothes back on’. And just not necessarily taking over. I mean, they might want you to, they might go: ‘Yes, just do it for me, I’ve had enough’. And that’s absolutely fine. But again, being led by that person: ‘Right, do you want to do that? What can I do to help? Can I take your wet clothes away and pop them in the machine?’ Or: ‘Can I put your wet clothes here so that you can pop them in the machine, but so they’re away from the dry clothes?’, because that person might still want the independence of popping their clothes in the machine”.
Laundering
Have a good supply of clean, dry clothes, nightwear and bedding. Your client may need to have a few more items of clothing or pyjamas if they are frequently becoming soiled or wet. Their family may need to be asked to replace clothing.
You might suggest to your client or family members that some clean items of clothing, such as pants and trousers, are kept in the toilet so that they are close at hand if needed.
Practical Tips
- Adapting clothes can help someone maintain their preferred style of dress and independence
- Have a supply of clean clothes readily available
- People may take longer to wash and get dressed as their dementia progresses
- Try not to rush your client as it can get them flustered or confused