Adaptive clothing allows older adults and disabled people to maintain their independence without sacrificing their fashion sense.
Unlike regular clothes, adaptive clothing is much safer to use, simpler to wear and take off, and more convenient for caregivers, allowing them to do their jobs better.
It’s a no-brainer choice, especially considering that some adaptive clothing comes with assistive technology.
In this short guide, you will learn about the key benefits of adaptive clothing, how and where to use it, and how to pick clothes for yourself or a loved one.
What Is Adaptive Clothing and Why Is It Important?
Adaptive clothing is thoughtfully designed for older people, people with disabilities, or individuals with specific medical needs. Adaptive clothing is even used by pregnant women (maternity clothes) and those recovering from surgery or an injury. It allows you or your loved one to stay independent and maintain dignity, even with disabilities or medical conditions.
Some key features of adaptive clothing are Velcro, magnets, and snap fasteners. These replace traditional buttons and eliminate the need to raise one’s arms while changing clothes. In some cases, a caregiver’s assistance may not be needed at all.
As a result, adaptive clothing, especially the ones from Joe & Bella, make day-to-day outfit changes simpler and much less painful and stressful for the wearer.
Examples of Adaptive Clothing That Feature Assistive Technology
Here are a few examples of adaptive clothes that use assistive technology to make dressing simpler and more convenient.
1. Wheelchair Friendly Clothing
Adaptive clothing for wheelchair users open at the side, with zippers or easy-open closures like snaps to keep them secure on each side. This design allows the wearer to put on adaptive pants easily, even while seated in a wheelchair.
In the same vein, some adaptive clothes, like open-back tops, have velcro or snaps at the back. This design allows for the shirt to be worn without causing discomfort when being put on and off since it allows the wearer to dress without raising arms overhead.
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2. Magnetic or Velcro Closures
Shoes with traditional laces can be painful to put on, especially when movement is limited by disability or aches. Adaptive shoes solve this issue by utilizing Velcro in combination with larger foot openings.
This thoughtful, innovative design makes it easy to put on the shoes, regardless of age or disability.
Adaptive clothing brands like Joe & Bella feature similar designs in their collections. They remove traditional buttons and replace them with magnets, making it easier for the wearer to change clothes.
Instead of fiddling with buttons, the wearer simply needs to place the two ends next to each other.
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3. Clothing with Hidden Openings for Medical Devices
Hoodies and jackets are typically inaccessible to people with medical aids or limited mobility. With assistive technology, particularly zippers and flaps, these clothing pieces are made more accessible.
The same technology applies to some adaptive shirts, which can have side or stomach openings for feeding tubes or for other medical needs.
4. Sensory-Friendly Clothing
Not all disabilities are purely physical. Adaptive clothes, such as compression wear, can help people with autism or sensory disorders feel comfortable by providing consistent, gentle pressure.
Having garments that have no tags on them removes any chance of skin irritation and reduces the chance people with sensory issues get triggered. This also benefits those who spend most of their time seated or in bed, as it reduces the chance of irritation and developing bed sores.
5. Adaptive Undergarments
Briefs with special hidden openings are available for people who need to attach a catheter. It does this while remaining both safe and easily accessible.
Some bras and underwear have side or front openings instead of the typical back openings, helping people who can’t reach the back use bras much more easily.
6. Adaptive Socks
Socks can be a safety hazard for older people and those with balance issues. Fortunately, adaptive socks, such as gripper socks, have slip resistant coatings to make them grip a floor much better.
These socks also tend to have a wider opening and a less tight fit, which helps users feel more comfortable putting them on and taking them off without help.
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How Adaptive Clothing Enhances Daily Living
Adaptive clothing helps older people and people with disabilities maintain a relatively normal lifestyle. Here’s how they achieve that goal.
Convenient Dressing Routines
Adaptive clothes can significantly speed up the dressing-up process. They use more convenient fastening methods, such as magnetic closures instead of buttons.
Taking off the clothes is also a lot faster because of these assistive technologies integrated directly into adaptive clothing.
Improved Comfort
Feeling comfortable in your own clothes is key to feeling confident. Adaptive clothing is generally very comfortable, with no extra tight spots or itchy fabrics to get bothered by.
Additionally, most adaptive clothes are comfortable enough to be worn around the house. This reduces the need for constant changing to get into more comfortable clothes.
Support for Medical Devices
Instead of uncomfortably fitting medical devices like catheters under or around regular clothes, adaptive clothes adjust and accommodate them.
Independence and Dignity
One key feature of adaptive clothes is that they give older people and those with disabilities the confidence to do more things independently.
The main benefit of this is maintaining one’s dignity, given that they don’t need a caregiver’s help for everything. It also keeps their cognitive state more active since they’re doing more things on their own.
Choosing Adaptive Clothing for Your Needs
There are four key factors in choosing the best adaptive clothing for you or your loved one’s specific needs.
- Size and fit: Getting the proper sizing can keep clothes comfortable without being too large.
- Features and utility: If you need to attach any medical device, look for one that accommodates it.
- Build quality and durability: Getting clothes once that last long will save you more money in the long run.
- Style: Having a functional and comfy shirt with features is wasted if it isn’t good-looking on the person.
Joe & Bella: Your Partner in Adaptive Clothing
Adaptive clothing from Joe & Bella can keep you or your loved one safe and comfortable while also looking stylish.
Their collections offer the perfect blend of durability, fashion-appropriate for seniors or people with disabilities, comfort, and features.
Instead of buying generic hospital gowns or unpleasant-looking 3XL clothes, getting adaptive clothing from Joe & Bella can provide you or your loved ones independence, style, safety, and dignity.
Final Thoughts
Keeping safe while looking stylish is a value often overlooked today. Fortunately, adaptive clothing allows older adults and individuals living with disabilities to regain their independence while looking fashionable and feeling comfortable.
Just remember to pick clothes based on their function, style, fit, features, and durability to have the best experience with adaptive clothing.
Are you ready to experience comfort and style? Discover Joe & Bella’s adaptive clothing collection, featuring assistive technology solutions that help seniors and people with disability look and feel their best.
Just remember to pick clothes based on their function, style, fit, features, and durability. Joe & Bella makes amazing adaptive clothes that use assistive technology solutions to help seniors and people with disabilities.
Shop the collection today!
This blog post was written by Ben Graham – Vice President of Marketing at Joe & Bella, an adaptive apparel brand that focuses on creating innovative and fashionable apparel.
Joe & Bella has appeared in USA Today, Us Weekly, Chicago SunTimes, Next Avenue, NPR and Caregiving.com. Joe & Bella’s clothes balance style and function, offering premium options for those who don’t want to sacrifice on style or quality in order to wear adaptive clothing. Prior to working at Joe & Bella, Ben was the Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at Collaborata, a Chicago based startup that brought corporate partners together to find solutions to business problems with research. Collaborata projects focused on topics like caregiving, diversity and equity. Collaborata clients include AARP, Procter & Gamble, Bank of America, Target, Nike, among others. Ben spent many years, along with his family, providing care for his two grandparents who lived for nearly a decade in assisted living and memory care. Ben lives in Chicago with his partner Nate and his beautiful dog Maize. To learn more about Joe & Bella, please visit www.JoeAndBella.com