What is Adaptive Clothing?

Whether you struggle to grasp your shoelaces in the morning or can’t grab the buttons to put on your shirt, clothing can be a problem for many. Those aging, have disabilities, or struggle with other items may have trouble wearing or putting on clothes in the morning. One solution to this issue is adaptive clothing – but what is this form of clothing? How does it help?

Adaptive clothing is a step forward for those who struggle to find comfortable clothes or dress themselves with ease. If you’re interested in learning more, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about why adaptive clothing matters, how it improves quality of life, and the various forms of adaptive clothing on the current market.

Why Does Adaptive Clothing Matter?

Adaptive clothing, a form of special needs clothing, is a valuable addition to society. This is especially true for seniors who tend to lose mobility as they age, particularly if they are inactive in their younger years. Loss of mobility makes it tricky to do things like tying shoes, putting on shirts, and more. It can be a frustrating and discouraging experience. 

Adaptive clothing is critical because it restores a sense of freedom to individuals who might be unable to put their clothes on traditionally. It allows them to shop online for clothes they like, style them to fit their taste, and put them on without assistance from anyone else.

The best part about adaptive clothing is that it restores a quality of life once lost to those with limited mobility and various disabilities. It makes a difference in the lives of those who need them.

How Does Adaptive Clothing Improve Quality of Life?

Personality traits tend to guide fashion choices. Thus, people often use what they wear to express who they feel like they are on the inside. When someone loses the ability to dress, they feel like they are losing a part of their ability to express themselves. Adaptive clothing brings that back.

Adaptive clothing also provides comfort. Those who don’t like tight-fitting pants or shirts can use this form of disability clothing to select styles that better fit their bodies and comfort levels.

Finally, adaptive clothing improves quality of life by allowing seniors and those with disabilities to more easily dress themselves. It promotes general inclusivity and permits people to feel more like they can do anything. Adaptive clothing works to break down barriers in the lives of many.

Types of Adaptive Clothing

Adaptive clothing isn’t just one type of product, there are multiple innovations for clothes from the feet to the head that have emerged on the market over the years. Each offers a different level of assistance to the person who wears them.

Let’s talk about various forms of adaptive clothing available for purchase. Although there are more than these three types of handicap clothing, these are some of the most common. On top of this list, there are also forms of adaptive clothing that are catered to fit the specific person who needs them.

Magnets Instead of Buttons

A common swap on clothing for disabled individuals is the replacement of magnets on shirts with buttons. Instead of dealing with tiny buttons and holes, all an individual must do is press the ends of the shirt together and wait for the magnets to snap together. These shirts often have buttons sewn on the front to keep the appearance of a traditional shirt.

Magnets reduce the amount of time spent getting ready and make it even easier to take the shirt off at the end of the day. Since the swap is so simple, many can take their favorite buttoned shirts and add magnets, making regular clothes into adaptive clothing.

Shoes Without Laces

The older a person gets, the more difficult it becomes to complete simple activities like tying one’s shoes. Bending or kneeling to knot the laces can lead to muscle cramps, strains, and more. Plus, limited mobility comes with age. Shoes without laces allow the user to quickly tighten footwear without getting into an uncomfortable and often impractical position. 

These shoes often fit wider than traditional shoes and are fitted with a velcro strap. All the individual must do is step into the shoe and pull the strap across until it’s tightened to their liking. From there, they secure the shoe with velcro and continue about their day. Velcro shoes are also easier for caregivers to slip on and off a patient. 

Open-Back Tops and Pants

Open-back pants and tops are a valuable addition for those who are in a wheelchair chair or use a mobility aid and cannot bear weight or handle the constriction that comes with traditional pants. Each provides easy access to various flaps to make it easy to function throughout the day.

Adaptive pants with an open back typically have an opening cut out of the back, covered with a flap for modesty. This flap is held in place by several snaps. The individual wearing the pants may remove them with ease, and they are simpler for a caretaker to manage.

Open-back tops are similar to open-back pants. They’re placed on with snaps at the shoulders, making them much simpler to put on and take off. They provide full coverage and many different styles to help the wearer feel as fashionable as possible.

Final Thoughts

Whether you struggle to remove clothes in the evening or can’t tie your shoes, adaptive clothes are valuable to any life. They allow independence to seniors and those with disabilities, permitting basic tasks that restore dignity to an individual. They also allow an expression of self through unique fashion, something many lose over time.

Adaptive clothing is meant to fit a vast array of needs, and more and more designs appear every day. As more time passes, we’re sure to see new advances in clothing that allow those who struggle to get dressed to wear clothes and shoes while expressing themselves and gaining back a part of themselves that once was lost. 

Are you looking for adaptive clothing because you are caring for a loved one? Don’t forget to check out our caregiver resources for more information about services you can contact for help.