Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia requires patience, empathy, and creativity, the capacity to step away from your own reasoning and logic and realize why particular dementia challenges are happening, and then to determine how to effectively manage them. That’s certainly the situation with a family member who will not change his/her clothing, regardless of how unkempt or dirty an outfit may have become.
There are many explanations why an individual with Alzheimer’s may insist upon wearing the same outfit, including:
- Judgment or memory problems, such as losing track of time or thinking the clothes were just recently changed
- The comfort and familiarity of a specific item of clothing
- A desire to exert control
- Problems with the task of changing clothes
- Feeling overwhelmed from the choices related to selecting an outfit
- Physical pain and/or fatigue
- The inability to detect scent or to clearly see stains on clothes
Our Alzheimer’s care team has some strategies to assist:
- First of all, don’t ever argue or attempt to reason with someone with dementia.
- Purchase extra clothing that is the same as the outfit your senior loved one insists on wearing.
- When the senior is bathing or asleep, remove the soiled clothing from the room and replace with clean items.
- Make getting dressed as easy as possible, with only a few choices which are very easy to put on and take off, and allowing as much time as needed for dressing.
- Provide clothing options in solid colors instead of patterns, which can be distracting, confusing, or visually overstimulating.
- Take into consideration any timing issues: is the older adult extremely tired and/or irritated at a specific period of the day? In that case, try incorporating dressing into the time of day when she or he usually feels the most content and calm.
- Determine if your own feelings are exacerbating the situation in any way. For example, is it a matter of embarrassment that’s driving the demand for your loved one to clothe himself/herself in a certain way?
Understand that wearing a comfortable outfit for an extra day might be preferred as opposed to the emotional battle involved with forcing a change of clothing. If it truly becomes an issue, however, contact Independence-4-Seniors Home Care, the leaders in dementia care in Hinsdale and the surrounding areas. Sometimes, an older adult feels more comfortable being assisted with personal care needs such as dressing and bathing by a skilled in-home caregiver instead of a family member. Our care experts are experienced and skilled in helping those diagnosed with dementia maintain personal hygiene with compassion and kindness, and they are always available to help.
Give us a call at (630) 323-4665 for additional helpful tips or to arrange an in-home consultation.