5 Things That Make Getting Dressed Challenging For Seniors

By Jamie Shapiro | October 11, 2024 | Comments Off on 5 Things That Make Getting Dressed Challenging For Seniors
Personal care at home offers routine support for seniors aging in place.

Personal care at home offers routine support for seniors aging in place.

If your senior parent is living alone at home they may find it harder to get dressed as they get older. Seniors often struggle with everyday tasks like showering and getting dressed as they get older because of things like medical conditions or side effects from medication.

If you have noticed that your mom or dad seems to be wearing the same clothes frequently or not wearing clothing that fits or is adjusted correctly, they may need personal care at home services. Personal care at home is specialized support that helps seniors with tasks like showering or getting dressed.

Even  if your mom or dad isn’t saying that they have difficulties getting dressed, if they have any of these challenges, it’s a good idea to talk to them about personal care at home services:

 

Limited Mobility

One of the biggest challenges seniors face is limited mobility. As seniors age, their muscles and joints can become stiff or weak, making it hard to move freely. Reaching up to pull on a shirt or bending down to put on shoes can be painful or nearly impossible for your mom or dad.

Arthritis, joint pain, or even past injuries can add to this difficulty. If your parent has trouble with mobility, they may struggle with everyday movements needed to get dressed, such as pulling up pants or fastening buttons.

 

Loss of Balance

Balance issues are also common among seniors, and they can make getting dressed more dangerous. Something as simple as standing on one foot to put on pants or shoes can be risky. If your mom or dad has balance problems, they may worry about falling while trying to get dressed, which can cause them to avoid doing it altogether.

To help, you can suggest sitting down while dressing and using a sturdy chair or bed for support. Or get personal care at home so someone is there to help them get dressed each day.

 

Decreased Hand Strength

If your mom or dad is losing grip strength or hand strength as they get older, they’re not alone. Seniors often lose strength in their hands, which can make it difficult to handle clothing. Fastening buttons, zippers, or even pulling socks onto feet can become frustrating. Seniors with arthritis or other conditions may find these tasks especially painful.

Clothing with easy-to-use features like Velcro or stretchy fabric can make dressing easier for seniors with decreased hand strength. Personal care at home providers can also be a big help.

 

Memory Problems

For seniors living alone with memory issues, such as those with early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, remembering how to get dressed can become confusing. They might forget the order in which to put on their clothes or struggle to remember where they’ve placed their clothing. This confusion can make getting dressed take much longer and feel overwhelming.

Laying out clothes in the order they should be worn or creating a simple routine can help seniors with memory issues. Keeping their wardrobe simple, with fewer options, can also make the process less stressful.

 

Difficulty with Vision

Poor eyesight is another factor that can make getting dressed hard for your senior parent. Fading vision can make it difficult to see small details like buttons, zippers, or matching colors. Seniors with vision problems might also struggle to spot stains and wrinkles or even tell which clothing item is front or back.

Good lighting in the dressing area can help, as well as organizing clothes in a way that makes them easier to find and use. High-contrast colors or using tactile labels can make it easier for seniors with vision problems to dress themselves independently.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Wilmette, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 948-0860. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette, and the surrounding areas.

Jamie Shapiro
Latest posts by Jamie Shapiro (see all)
Posted in Personal Care at Home