What are the special features in adaptive clothing?

Are you are taking care of your grandparents who are no longer physically strong enough to take care of themselves? Do you have any relative who is offering from certain health problems that confined him to a bed or wheelchair? Then, you must have an idea about how difficult it becomes while taking them to the toilet or undressing for the shower. Conventional clothes are restrictive on the movements as compared to adaptive clothing.

Adaptive clothing used to imply those garments that enable people with physical limitations as well as mobility issues to get dressed up independently or with the help of a personal caregiver.

This kind of clothing comes in a wide variety of styles that suit the needs of an individual. Apart from the day time wear like skirts and tops, shirts and pants, additional clothing items like capes, robes, footwear, and undergarments also form a part of the wardrobe essentials. Specialized items are also available, like anti-strip jumpsuits for individual suffering for Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as compression socks for diabetic patients.

What is assisted adaptive garments?

Assisted adaptive clothing helps a caregiver to disrobe and dress the individual under his care with ease. It prevents any kind of injury as well as allows the individual to feel comfortable. These are required for patients who cannot take care of their own and always need additional help throughout the day. Such features in adaptive clothing makes them comfortable for the wearer.

Glossary terms for accessible clothing

1. What are back-flap pants?

These pants are designed with quality fabric that usually overlaps at the seats as well as attached using snaps on both sides to allow self-toileting for individuals on the wheelchair which is one of the features in adaptive clothing added.

2. Which are known as the Cut-away garments?

The seat of the garment is ‘cutaway’ in a special style, making it easier for the caregiver. It also provides comfort to the wearer as well as adds some features in adaptive clothing.

3. What are the foot orthosis?

This comprises a custom-made foot-bed or inserts that are easily fitted into the shoes. It is commonly termed as ‘orthotics,’ which offers enough support to the foot by simply realigning the joints present in the foot and redistributing the ground reaction forces while running, standing as well as walking which adds one of the features in adaptive clothing concept.

4. What is the plus size clothing?

Plus size clothing is also termed as Outsize garments in some countries. They are usually oversize clothes and preferred for female clothing items. The sizes usually vary from one country to another. The starting size also varies accordingly. Like, the starting size is 10 in the UK, 14W in the US, 40 in Germany, 42 in France and 16 in Australia.

5. What is side snap pant?

The special kind of pant features snaps at the waistband on both the sides. Hence, providing enough room for comfortable dressing and care it also makes the waist area quite adjustable and adds one of the features in adaptive clothing arena.

6. What are the rear closure clothes?

These are known for being the special kind of clothing items that are designed to remain open at the back for facilitating people to dress up who cannot move their arms or raise their arms to put on the shirt or dresses. Those who are confined to the bed or wheelchair need this kind of clothing.

7. What are the side zip garments?

The side-zip clothes feature proper slippers on both sides, thus, ensuring ease while dressing up as well as in the process of transfers in toileting.

What are the special features in adaptive clothing?

1. Pants

• • The backend is completely open up.
  • Elastic Waist
  • Extra fabric attached at the backside
  • Sides are open up
  • Reinforced seat
  • Facility for additional nylon handles, enable a personal caregiver to ensure safe transfers.
  • Legs can be directly inserted into the pants in a seated position

2. Shirts

• • Completely open up so that individuals can slide their arms instead of lifting overhead.
  • Snap, magnetic, hook, loop and overlapping closures

3. Footwear

• • Use of loop and hook closures.
  • Proper support.
  • Non-constrictive socks for diabetic patients to ensure complete relief to swollen ankles and feet.
  • Soles with the slip-resistant feature.

The best part of adaptive clothing

Several retailers selling adapted clothes like to point out that comfort and function are undoubtedly priority in case of designing this kind of clothing, but fashion is also something that cannot be overlooked at any cost. Proper clothing is something that makes us feel and look good. So, it’s also the same when it comes to a person with physical disabilities or senior citizen. Nowadays, the designers of adaptive clothing make it a point as well to design clothes that make the wearers feel good. If someone doesn’t like the way he is dressing up, it is almost difficult to make him habituated in using the same.

Most of the time, it is found that senior citizens and patients having certain kind of medical issues avoid using adaptive clothing because they think that it will make them appear different from normal people. Moreover, honestly speaking when it comes to adaptive clothing, it feels like they are designed for someone who is just not normal like us. But the concept of adapted clothes is brought forward with the simple motto of making the process of dressing easier for patients who are suffering from certain kind of medical problems or senior citizens who lack physical mobility.

What are the factors you should consider in adaptive clothing?

When you are purchasing adaptive garments or customizing the same, make sure that you take care of certain factors like material, durability, design, and fashion. If possible, you should let the person for whom you are purchasing your clothes decide what he wants. When it comes to the pricing factor, it is needless to say that this kind of clothing is a bit pricier in compared to conventional clothing, but with so many brands designing adaptive clothes it has now become quite affordable. If you want to buy clothes for any of the senior citizens in your home or someone you know in your circle, you can visit sites such as residentessentials[dot]com.

To know more about the specialties of adaptive clothing and why you should convince a disabled individual or aged person to adopt the same, stay tuned to our channel.