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Man selecting adaptive clothing for seniors.

The Best Adaptive Clothing for Seniors

14 minute readLast updated October 19, 2023
Written by Chacour Koop

If an aging parent is struggling with buttoning their shirt or putting on their shoes, getting dressed can become challenging for them and their caregivers. Fortunately, adaptive clothing for seniors — which can lessen frustration and improve comfortability — ­is more accessible than ever before. You can find stylish, easy-to-put-on clothes for elderly loved ones and apparel designed for specific conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease at popular stores or online. This article outlines types of adaptive clothes for seniors and where to find options in order to reduce the daily hassles of getting dressed.

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What is senior adaptive clothing?

Adaptive clothing is specifically designed for people living with physical disabilities, mobility issues, cognitive challenges, and sensory sensitivities. For seniors, it’s sometimes called geriatric adaptive clothing or just geriatric clothing.

Think simple and easy: Velcro pants for seniors that eliminate tricky buttons, shoes that slip on without sacrificing support, dress shirts with magnetic buttons, pants specifically designed for people who use wheelchairs or remain in bed for long parts of the day. Easy-access clothing for elderly loved ones and clothing for seniors with limited mobility can be especially helpful for family caregivers.

Retailers will often separate adaptable clothing for seniors into two categories:

  • Assisted dressing, which is apparel that a caregiver helps the wearer put on
  • Self-dressing, which is apparel that a more independent wearer can put on themselves

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Where to find clothing for seniors who are elderly or disabled

In recent years, popular companies like JCPenneyKohl’sTarget, WalmartTommy Hilfiger, and Zappos have all started selling adaptive clothing lines, meaning you can shop for your loved one at familiar stores.

Magnetic, snap-on, and Velcro clothing for seniors

Snap-on adaptive clothing for seniors

Sometimes, handling small buttons or lining up zippers can be difficult for seniors. For those with limited mobility or hand dexterity, several brands sell magnetic, snap-on, or Velcro clothing for seniors designed to enable self-dressing or assistive clothing to help caregivers.

Here are some specialized online stores where you find easy clothes for seniors to put on themselves or with the help of a caregiver:

Adaptive clothing for seniors with dementia

Dressing a senior with dementia

Adaptive clothing brands sell apparel specially designed for seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These clothes can lessen confusion or discourage untimely undressing.

  • Ovidis. This clothing line offers apparel for an array of needs, but the company was founded upon the shared experiences of caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. If you need clothing to help prevent disrobing, the company sells anti-strip jumpsuits for women and men.
  • The Able Label. This online store sells clothing with elastic waistbands, pull-on pants, and Velcro fastenings as part of its line of clothing for people with dementia. They’re based in the United Kingdom, so shipments to the U.S. can take a few days longer.

Adaptive bras, underwear, and shoes

Adaptive shoes for seniors

Putting on shoes, bras, and underwear can be very challenging for seniors. A few companies specialize in making this easier for people with limited mobility.

  • Slick Chicks. This clothing line specializes in adaptive clothing for senior women. They sell bras, underwear, and loungewear for people with limited mobility, especially those who use wheelchairs or struggle to stand up or bend over. Their products include leakproof underwear for urge and stress incontinence that fastens along the side and bras that fasten in the front with Velcro.
  • Friendly Shoes. This shoe line has comfortable, sturdy footwear for people who are elderly, disabled, or diabetic — with fashionable options. Their selection includes shoes with discreet zippers, eliminating the need for tying shoestrings while enabling easy access.

In addition, there are other innovative products for seniors that may make your loved one’s life easier beyond adaptative clothing.

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When dressing seniors becomes difficult

While adaptive senior clothing can help your loved one remain independent, it may indicate that their care needs are rising. If your loved one is having trouble with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, toileting, or maintaining hygiene like they used to, it could be time to consider whether they need extra assistance.

Assisted livingmemory care, and care home communities offer help with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting. Additionally, these communities often have access to physical therapists and occupational therapists, who can help improve a resident’s mobility and independence.

For seniors who want to continue living in their home, home care services can help them stay safe, and the extra assistance can reduce the chances of caregiver burnout. To help you find the most suitable option for your loved one, you can reach out to a Senior Living Advisor at A Place for Mom. They can answer your questions about senior care and help you find options nearby — all at no cost to you.

Disclaimer: A Place for Mom received no compensation from the makers of these products and makes no formal endorsement as to their quality. Readers are urged to conduct their own research.

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Meet the Author
Chacour Koop

Chacour Koop is a former copywriter at A Place for Mom, where he published articles focused on Medicare, Medicaid, dementia, and wellness with a hope that other families can use the information to improve their lives. As a former family caregiver, Chacour Koop strives to bring practical knowledge about senior care to readers who are navigating this complex topic. Before writing about senior living, he was a journalist with bylines in The Associated Press, Miami Herald, Sacramento Bee, and dozens of other publications. He earned a degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Edited by

Danny Szlauderbach

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

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