Dressing and undressing

If you find dressing difficult, there are a number of things you can try to help you remain independent with dressing.

Choosing appropriate styles and fabrics, as well as using special techniques or equipment can all help to make dressing easier:

• Skirts and trousers with elasticated waistbands are often easier to manage than those with fasteners.
• Loose fitting, stretchy clothing without fastenings, such as T-shirts, will often be easier to manage and eliminates the need to fasten buttons or zips.
• If choosing clothing with fasteners, make sure the fastener is easily accessible, such as being at the front.
• Magnetic or velcro fasteners are usually easy to manage. Shirts, trousers, bras and skirts are available ready made with these types of fastenings, you may need to search the internet for suppliers.
• Or you could adapt your own clothing, for example, velcro dots can be used instead of buttons to fasten a shirt. There may be organisations locally that can make alterations for you, you can search for these on the internet, although they will charge for any alterations they carry out.
• Clothes made from knitted or 'jersey' fabrics are often easier to manage than stiffer, woven fabrics.
• Smooth, slippery fabrics such as silk are usually easier to get on and off, as they glide easily over your skin or other layers of clothing.
• Bras can be difficult to fasten at the back, and hook and eye fastenings can be difficult to manage. Front fastening bras are available, and are usually easier to manage. You could also consider a fasten-free bra, which is pulled on over your head or up from the floor.
• Zip fastenings can be quicker and easier than buttons, although open ended zips can be difficult to align and fasten if you have pain or stiffness in your fingers. Extended tabs or loops can be added to zip tags to make them easier to grip and fasten.

There is equipment available to assist with a variety of tasks around the home including dressing and undressing. For more information visit the Equipment section of this website. 

Or you can visit the Safe+Well website which can help you better understand which daily living aids might be best for you and where they can be purchased.