Senior Care in Indianapolis, IN – What Used to Be Routine, has now Become a Burden

Sometimes normal tasks like bathing, dressing, and even eating are difficult and confusing for the elderly. An illness, advanced age, and physical ailments can lead to confusion and forgetfulness. If your elderly parent is experiencing some of these differences in their life, you should be more aware of how you can help them. Often, an elderly loved one needs more care than you are able to give them. If you need the extra help, hiring senior care services is an excellent way to give your senior parent some trained assistance as well as giving you some extra time. Some basic issues that can disrupt someone’s routine for getting ready for the day include:

• Side effects of medication, stress, depression, or illness
• Forgetting to change clothes, loss of fine motor skills, or fatigue
• Embarrassment for the need to receive help, lack of privacy, loss of understanding

These and other issues can make basic tasks like getting dressed extremely burdensome for some. Keep reading to find out more about what you can do. Here are some helpful tips:

• Choose clothing that is easy to put on and remove – including clothing with easy to use zippers, Velcro, and elastic waistbands. Clothes should be loose fitting.
• Any type of underpants or undergarment (bra) should be soft and loosely constructed. Women who have worn an undergarment like a bra may be embarrassed by not wearing one. Try to provide an undershirt or t-shirt.
• If a person likes to wear the same clothing each day, consider purchasing multiple outfits of the same clothes.
• Slip-on, non-skid shoes with Velcro closures are easy to take on and off
• Jogging suits and sweatpants, sweatshirts are easy to put on and easy clean.

Types of Clothing for Elderly People

Ultimately, the best type of clothing for a person is something that is easy to wear and put on. Getting dressed can be made easy by making sure the person is sitting down – standing increases the chances of falling. You or the hired caregiver should be patient and calm when helping your parent dress, because staying relaxed will ease any of their feelings of anxiety or discomfort.

If they cannot decide what to wear, offer one or two alternatives. Keep the options simple and short, as too many choices can be confusing. Offer encouragement and positive comments about the person’s clothing and appearance. Building their self-esteem will not only give them a positive boost, but can help them start the day with a smile. A senior person may be feeling less than about their body, and it’s important for them to feel confident and beautiful in their own way. Doing your elderly mother’s hair for her or helping your elderly father to shave might help them feel better about themselves.