Activities of Daily Living Dressing

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Dressing is a private activity for most of us and onewhere we are used to making our own decisions aboutwhat to wear. If people with dementia need assistancewith dressing, it should be offered in a tactful andsensitive way to enable them to maintain theirdignity and make their own choices for as long asthey can.

It is important to allow plenty of time if you arehelping someone to dress so that neither of you feelsrushed. Try to use the opportunity to communicateabout what you are doing and anything else ofinterest. If you can make it an enjoyable activity theperson with dementia is more likely to feel relaxedand confident.

Encourage independence

Encourage the person to remain independent anddress themselves for as long as they can. Ways ofhelping may include:

• Laying out clothes in the order the person will putthem on.

• Removing dirty clothes to prevent confusion.

• Reminding them which garment goes on next orhanding them the appropriate clothes.

• Giving instructions in very short steps, whensomeone is more confused, such as, ‘Now put yourarm through the sleeve’.

• Being tactful if someone puts something on thewrong way round. On the other hand, you mayboth be able to have a good laugh.

• If the person with dementia lives on their own,steps such as labelling drawers with their contentor putting whole outfits together for a particularday may be helpful.

General tips

• Make sure the room is warm.

• Try to encourage the person to use the toilet beforegetting dressed.

• Try to follow the routine they are used to. They mayprefer to put on all their underwear first orcompletely dress their top and then their bottom half.

• If they resist your efforts to help, it may be better toleave them for a little while rather than causedistress. They may be more amenable if you tryagain a little later.

• The person may not be able to tell you whetherthey are hot or cold. Several layers of thin clothingmay be better than one thick layer. You can thensuggest removing one layer if it gets too warm.

Choice

Ask the person what they would like to put onwherever possible. People with dementia need thedignity of having some choice in what they wear.However, too many options could be confusing. Itmay be better to make suggestions one at a time. Ifthe person lives on their own and has lots of clothesselect those they are most likely to wear and put themin an accessible place. It will then be easier for theperson to choose.

Activities of Daily Living & Other Problems

Dressing

Our clothes are very much part of our personality. Enabling someone withdementia to choose what they wear and retain their particular style ofdressing is a way of helping them to preserve their own identity for as long aspossible. As dementia progresses, the person may need more assistance withdressing. Here are some suggestions.

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Activities of Daily Living

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Throw out or put into storage clothing that is eitherseldom or never worn. Reducing the number ofchoices a person can make can make the task ofdressing much easier. Eliminate unneeded accessories.

Buying clothes

If you are buying clothes for the person withdementia, take them with you, wherever possible, sothat they can choose the style and colours they prefer.

• Check their size. They may have lost or put onweight without you realising it.

• Look for clothes that are machine washable andneed little ironing, as this will save time.

• Look for clothes which are easy for the person tomanage, particularly if they are living on their own.For example, larger neck openings and frontfastenings or no fastenings at all.

• If you are caring for a woman, front fastening brasare easier for you both to manage. Never let her gowithout a bra as this could lead to soreness anddiscomfort. Avoid self-supporting stockings, asthese can sometimes cause circulation problems.

• For men, boxer shorts may be easier to managethan Y-fronts.

• Shoes with laces may be hard to manage. Well-fitting slip-on shoes may help the person to remainindependent a little longer.

• Slippers should not be worn for more than a fewhours as they do not offer enough support.

Adaptations

You may be able to adapt some clothes to make themeasier to put on and take off.

• Longer zips are always helpful and velcro fasteningsare easier than buttons or hooks if the person canget used to the way Velcro works.

• You can sometimes replace shoelaces with elastic.

Changing clothes

Some people may be reluctant to undress, even to goto bed, or to change clothes. You may have to use avariety of strategies to persuade them to change. Forexample, you may need to remove dirty clothing andsubstitute fresh clothing when they are washing. Orthe person may agree to change because someone isvisiting or because you would like to see them insomething new. Try to find an opportunity withoutcausing the person distress. Make sure they changetheir underwear frequently.

Bizarre clothing

As long as it does no harm, it is probably better toaccept rather bizarre clothing or clothing that is outof place rather than have a confrontation. If someoneis determined to wear a hat in bed or a heavy coat insummer, try where possible to respect their choice.

Other aspects of grooming

Help the person with their hair once they are dressed.Women may like make-up if they are used to it, or adab of perfume. If someone likes wearing brooches orbeads, this may be another opportunity for choice,and if they enjoy having their nails painted, youmight do this at some point in the day.

Men may need reminders or help with shaving, andeventually you may need to do it for them. If they usean electric razor, they will probably be able to managefor longer.

Compliments

Helping someone with dementia to look nice is animportant way of maintaining their confidence.Compliment the person on the way they look andencourage them to be proud of their appearance.

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