Published July 20, 2022

As we age, we may experience changes in our physical health. Our eyesight and hearing can decline, our mobility can decrease, and/or we may need more assistance with day-to-day tasks. In general, aging can cause a natural decline in functional status and can decrease the ability to perform these tasks. Activities of daily living (ADLs) are necessary and routine tasks that most individuals can perform without assistance (Edemekong, 2022). These include skills such as eating, ambulating, continence, dressing, personal hygiene, and mobility.

ADLs encompass skills necessary to independently care for yourself. In addition, ADLs are used to indicate a person’s functional status, and inability to perform ADLs can result in the dependence on others and/or assistive devices. The inability to accomplish ADLs may lead to unsafe conditions and a poor quality of life (Edemekong, 2022). Quality of life encompasses physical wellness, purpose, connectedness, security, and autonomy.

For the purposes of this fact sheet, the focus will be on dressing. Dressing provides independence and autonomy. You can choose what clothes you want to wear, as well as when and how you want to wear them. The way you dress is an extension of your creativity and how you present yourself. Additionally, whether shopping with friends, or complimenting others on how they dress, clothing and fashion can also be topics of conversation that connect others. Recognizing these components and how they relate to ADLs, such as dressing, are important to maintaining a good quality of life.

Adaptive Clothing

For some, physical limitations may also limit clothing choices. Buttoning shirts or pants, tying shoes, or lifting arms to put on clothing may not be options for some people as they age. One solution to address these challenges with dressing is adaptive clothing.

Adaptive clothing is specifically designed for individuals with physical disabilities, mobility issues, cognitive challenges, and sensory sensitivities (Koop, 2022). Adaptive clothing offers apparel with options such as Velcro, magnetic buttons, side zippers, or seamless items to reduce pressure on the body (Press, 2018). Other options include snap-on buttons, slip-on shoes, or belts that can be put on with one hand. Adaptive clothing provides these adjustments while still looking like normal clothing.

Benefits of Adaptive Clothing (Silverts, 2019)

Adaptive clothing can be beneficial to both the individual as well as caregivers. There are two categories for adaptive clothing: (1) assisted dressing, which is clothing that a caregiver can help the wearer put on; and (2) self-dressing, which is clothing that a more independent wearer can put on themselves (Koop, 2022).

Some retailers of adaptive clothing may let you find clothes based on a specific condition such as Alzheimer’s disease or wheelchair use. Using key terms such as “adaptive clothing” while looking online can help find potential retailers. In addition, more stores have started making adaptive clothing lines that are functional, practical, and modern.

Overall, adaptive clothing helps individuals maintain independence by creating a sense of self-reliance. Adaptive clothing can also benefit caregivers by making dressing easier and less time consuming. For caregivers, it is important to consider that the need for adaptive clothing may also indicate that an individual may need more assistance with ADLs and have rising care needs.

AARP also has a list of adaptive clothing lines in their article here.