Dressing: Tips, Equipment and Techniques
This Fact Sheet accompanies the Dressing class in the Techniques for Everyday Tasks classroom.
Problems with dressing may be caused by:
- Forgetting that it is time to change clothes
- Loss of understanding how to get dressed
- Inability to recognize parts of the body
- Room temperature that is too hot or too cold for dressing
- Distractions from people, clutter or noise
- Lack of privacy
- Poor lighting
Physical aspects of dressing
- Encourage person to do as much of the dressing as possible
- Place matching outfits together
- Place accessories with the clothes they go with
- Let the person sit while dressing
- Give verbal cues
- Give visual cues
Environmental aspects of dressing
- Have room at a comfortable temperature for dressing
- Make sure there is privacy
- Make sure the environment is calm without distractions
- Make sure everything is ready to be used
Tips to increase or maintain cooperation with dressing
- Have the same dressing routine every day
- Allow enough time
- Talk with a calm voice
- Label closets and drawers
- Lay out the clothes in the order they should be put on
Use short and simple instructions
- Give verbal or visual cues with dressing
- Use a pantomime technique with dressing
- Don't force a person to change clothes
- Try distracting the person if there is resistance
- If given a choice of clothes to wear, keep it simple
- Use simple garments
- Use pants with elastic waistbands
- Make sure the clothes are comfortable
- Use slip-on shoes with non-skid soles
- Remove dirty clothes to avoid confusion
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