Clothing tips for your loved one with dementia

July 15, 2016

Sweater_SeniorAs the weather continues to warm up, you may be reorganizing your closet–putting away the heavy sweaters and winter coats and bringing out the swimsuits and lighter clothes for summer. You may want to do that for your loved one with memory impairment, too.

Alzheimer’s and dementia affect judgement, and that means mix-ups can happen. Your loved one may no longer be able to weigh factors like the season or the occasion. he or she may choose a heavy sweater on a sweltering day or wear sequins for a casual outing.

Even those of us without memory loss will have trouble picking the right clothing from time to time. For people with memory loss, an abundance of options can easily overwhelm. You can help by simplifying the choices. Pare down your loved one’s closet and leave only a limited number of appropriate choices. Put away the clothes that are out-of-season. If you find outfits your loved one will never wear–an evening gown or business suit, for example–consider giving them away, or store them elsewhere. Make sure all of the clothes are easy to put on in the morning and take off at night.

Additionally, remember that as we age, we experience a decrease in circulation and metabolism. As a result, many older adults feel colder than usual. While turning up the thermostat is tempting, keeping a light sweater always in reach is a great way to keep them comfortable without overheating others who may be sharing their living space.