Elderly Clothing
From LoveToKnow Seniors
Several companies specialize in designing elderly clothing pieces that meet the needs of aging adults.
About Elderly Clothing
As people age, it's a fact that their clothing needs and fashion preferences change. Many factors impact the type of attire older adults might choose to wear, including the type of activities they engage in on a regular basis, as well as health factors.
Comfortable Clothing for Older Adults
For many seniors, comfort is the primary factor that influences clothing preferences. After retirement, there is no longer a need to dress for the professional environment on a regular basis. Those who have spent years wearing business suits or uniforms often look forward to the freedom to dress as they see fit once their dress choices are no longer limited by company dress codes.
While looking good is still important for seniors, other factors also enter into the decision making process when selecting attire. Rather than choosing fabrics that require dry cleaning or extensive items, mature individuals seem to be more interested in choose clothes that are easy to care for. Seniors who are no longer in the workforce typically favor comfortable, casual items that are low maintenance for everyday dress.
Adaptive Clothing for Seniors
Many people experience health problems as they age that require the use of adaptive clothing. Seniors who might be limited in terms of dressing themselves and performing other functions of daily living if limited to standard clothing choices are often able to maintain their independence much longer as a result of utilizing adaptive clothing items.
- Seating Dressing Options – Older adults who experience a loss of mobility or balance can benefit greatly from clothing that allows them to get dressed or changed clothes while remaining seated. These items typically have open backs, making the act of getting dressed as stress free as possible for individuals who cannot or should not stand up.
- Easy to Fasten Clothing – Seniors who experience arthritis, osteoporosis, or other health problems that limit their manual dexterity find dealing with standard clothing fasteners to be difficult, frustrating, and in some cases impossible. Elderly clothing items often fasten with Velcro or snaps rather than buttons or zippers, reducing the stress and difficulty associated with getting dressed for many seniors.
- Incontinence Concerns – Seniors who experience incontinence problems need clothing that helps camouflage their problem as well as being designed to allow for [Easy Access Clothing for the Elderly|easy access]] and quick changes on a regular basis.
- Slip Resistant Shoes – For elderly persons, it's important to take positive steps to reduce the risks of falling. Shoes that have special slip-resistant soles can be beneficial to seniors who are afraid of falling or who have conditions that increase their risk of experiencing falls.
- Special Needs Footwear – Foot problems are very common in the senior population, with elderly individuals often needing orthopedic shoes, diabetic footwear, shoes with velcro closure, and other special accommodations.
Purchasing Elderly Clothing
There are several resources for purchasing elderly clothing items. Some items are available from local and online durable medical equipment companies. Additionally, a number of online retailers specialize in attire that meets the needs of elderly customers.
Resources for ordering elderly clothing that meets the needs of seniors simply looking for comfort as well as those who need adaptive attire include:
- Adaptive Clothing Showroom
- Buck and Buck
- Care Apparel
- Clothes for Seniors
- Healthy Feet Stores
- Markell Shoe
- PPN, Inc.
- Silverts
Pictures of Clothing for the Elderly
If you need more fashion ideas, visit our senior fashion gallery: Clothing for Mature Women.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 3,444 times. This page was last modified 00:11, 3 December 2008.
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