Activities for Dementia Patients: Getting Dressed

Activities for Dementia Patients: Getting Dressed

If your loved one has dementia, he or she may start forgetting where they have put their keys, or a doctor’s appointment here or there. Later on, they may forget the names of relatives they haven’t seen often or how to drive from the store to their house. Eventually they may forget your name, or even the familiarity of their own home. They may forget how to do basic tasks for themselves like eating, going to the bathroom, and showering.

Getting dressed can become increasingly difficult as dementia patients progress in their disease. Some dementia patients will forget if they are getting dressed or undressed while putting clothes on. Others will forget to change their clothes or will wear too many clothes at once.

For High Activity (Early Stage) Dementia Individuals:

• He or she will dress themselves frequently with occasional errors.
• He or she may need help with small details (buttoning buttons, etc).
• He or she understands the goal of the task .
• He or she may only need periodic cuing on what to do next.

For Middle Activity (Middle Stage Dementia) Individuals:

• He or she may need help for basic steps/details (may put a shoe on the wrong foot or miss a button or two).
• He or she may not understand the goal but will have some awareness of tasks.
• He or she will most likely need step-by-step cuing on what to do next.
• He or she may not be able to match colors or choose clothing appropriate for weather.

For Late Stage (Low Activity Dementia) Individuals

•  He or she will need physical help with all steps.
• He or she will not understand the purpose of the task or the task itself.
• Caregiver will need to physically assist the individual  with hand-over-hand guidance.

Ways That Caregivers Can Help:

• Set the clothes out in a pile, with the first thing your loved one needs to put on being on top of the pile and the last thing they need to put on being on the bottom.
• Break down the task with your loved one, focusing on one item of clothing at a time. If your loved one is putting on their shoes, put one shoe on for them (if the shoe has laces, tie them). Then have your loved one put on the other shoe and see if they can lace them properly. Slip-on shoes, however, are generally more practical for individuals with dementia.
• Remove old, torn, and tattered clothing from their wardrobe.
• Separate clothing designed for warm weather from clothing designed for cold weather to avoid confusion.
• Some dementia individuals will not get changed into clean clothes if the room is especially cold. Make sure the temperature of the room is comfortable.

Clothing tips for Seniors

• Bright colors and bold patterns can be distracting for dementia individuals. Choose simple or solid patterns and contrasting colors.
• Choose shoes with non-slip soles. Slip-on shoes are recommended for individuals with dementia.
• Buttons, hooks, snaps, and zippers can be difficult for dementia patients. Try attaching velcro tape to their clothing instead to make it easier to dress and undress.
• Some individuals with dementia may want to wear the same outfit every day. If this is the case, buy them several identical outfits so they can continue to wear clean clothing.
• Some individuals with dementia will undress themselves at random. If your loved one is undressing, try to see if you can find a reason for their behavior:

– Are they feeling too warm?

– Do they need to use the restroom?

– Are they tired and trying to get ready for bed?

– Are they uncomfortable?

How Can Oxnard Family Circle Help?

At Oxnard Family Circle, we have specifically trained staff that can help with all aspects of personal care, including dressing, feeding, toileting, and showering. We have a Memory Care area designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. You can be assured that your loved one will be safe in Oxnard Family Circle’s Memory Care Unit with specially trained staff to help discourage wandering. High activity Memory Care individuals are able to enjoy all areas of Oxnard Family Circle ADHC.

Through patience and assistance, you can help your loved one continue to get dressed even in late stages of dementia. Caregivers should always seek respite when possible to help prevent burnout, and day programs in your area like Oxnard Family Circle ADHC is here to help caregivers every step of the way.