Dressing

DRESSING

Velcro closures can replace standard buttons on clothing, and Velcro tabs can replace buckles or shoelaces on footwear. Some types of trainers and other sports shoe are made with Velcro tabs. 

Velcro can be purchased as strips at fabric, haberdashery or remnant stores and as adhesive “dots” or “buttons” from stationery suppliers

Exercise clothing (e.g. track suits, shell suits and similar) with elasticated waist-bands are easier to push down and pull up when dressing, undressing or toileting..

A long zip­ fastener sewn into a side seam of trousers or sports clothing and extended down the leg can permit easier dressing and undressing as well as toileting.

A double loop of ribbon or tape (one attached to a belt loop, the other encircling the wrist) makes it easier to lift and lower a pair of trousers when your grip isn’t so good, or when only using one hand.

A simple pushing or pulling tool to help pull clothing closer to you without stretching can be made from a wire coat hanger straightened out and then bent at either or both ends. Wrap the ends with masking tape to help avoid tearing clothing and to provide a better grip.

A circular key ring can be attached to a zipper tab that has a hole in it, allowing fingers or thumb to easily gasp the tab and close the zipper.

Depending on what they are attached to, sticky zippers will slide more easily if rubbed with the lead from a lead pencil, wax from a child’s crayon or candle or lubricated with some spray-on furniture polish or silicone-based stain preventer.

Buttoning can be eased by using elastic loops in place of buttonholes and sewing buttons on with elastic thread. The centre of each button (front and back) can be touched with clear nail polish to seal the threads and make the button stay on longer. This works especially well with buttons on cuffs.

Buttons can also be fas­tened to buttonholes for appearance and Velcro patches placed on the back for closure.

A man's pre‑knotted necktie can be adapted with an elastic band, a plastic or metal clip glued or sewn on the back of the knot might be easier to place on a buttoned collar.

Canvas shoes can be adapted by sewing a zipper down the side. Any shoe repair shop can modify a pair of shoes in this fashion.

Heavy fishing line pulled through zipper tabs and tied in a loop (the knot can be sealed by gently melting it with the heat from a lighted match) makes it easier to pull the zipper closed. This idea works especially well on men's or women's slacks. The loop is invisible and also washes well.

A gastrostomy tube can be covered easily with a body‑size tube-bandage. This will protect clothing from getting soiled by the tube. A 10‑ to 12‑inch‑wide piece is cut and slipped over the head and arms.

Always use shoes that have the same heel height as those worn when leg braces (supports) were fitted. If you don't your feet and ankles may be tilted up or down, which will throw you off balance.

A foot that stiffens so much that it's hard to get a shoe on can be more easily slipped into a shoe if the back of the shoe is cut vertically and loosely laced.

Check the soles on sports shoes before purchase. Some brands have soft cushion bubbles on the soles that can make you unsteady, look for firm, flat soles instead.

If one side of the body is weaker, it takes less effort to dress this side first. For example, put the weaker arm into the shirt sleeve first, the stronger arm next. Whenever possible, sit while dressing so you can safely rest as needed.

If you have difficulty buttoning a shirt or blouse, get a larger size, keep it buttoned all the time and put it on as if it were a pullover shirt.

Tube socks (socks without heels that stretch to fit the foot) are easier to put on than those with heels. Socks with a little acrylic fibre in them are also easier to put on for winter wear than socks made of 100 percent wool.

Updated Wednesday 3 Feb 2010