Dressing and Grooming

culled from:http://www.alz.org

Dressing

Plan plenty of time when dressing or grooming someone with Alzheimer's. Rushing the person can cause anxiety and frustration.

As the disease progresses beyond the early stages, choosing and putting on clothes can be frustrating for the person with dementia. The person may not remember how to dress or may be overwhelmed with the choices or the task itself.
To assist:

• Simplify choices.
  Keep the closets free of excess clothing. A person may panic if clothing choices become overwhelming. If appropriate, give the person an opportunity to select favorite outfits or colors, but try offering just two choices.
• Organize the process.
  Lay out clothing in the order that each item should be put on. Hand the person one item at a time while giving simple, direct instructions such as "Put on your shirt," rather than "Get dressed."
• Pick comfortable and simple clothing.
  Cardigans, shirts and blouses that button in front are easier to work than pullover tops. Substitute Velcro^® for buttons, snaps or zippers, which may be too difficult to handle. Make sure that clothing is loose fitting, especially at the waist and hips, and choose fabrics that are soft and stretchable.
• Choose comfortable shoes.
  Make sure the person has comfortable, non-slip shoes.
• Be flexible.
  If the individual wants to wear the same outfit repeatedly, buy duplicates or have similar options available. Keep in mind that it is important for the individual to maintain good personal hygiene, including wearing clean undergarments, as poor hygiene may lead to urinary tract or other infections that further complicate care.