For seniors who suffer from arthritis and those with mobility problems, finding clothes that fit and/or that can adapt to their needs can be difficult. Try putting on a pair of regular pants if you have a leg brace or your child has spina bifida. It can be a real challenge if not impossible. They just are not made for that use. That’s where adaptive clothing fits in.

Adaptive clothing is exactly that. It is adapted to the wearer’s needs. For example if you have arthritis and have a difficult time with buttons and snaps. This can be extremely frustrating especially when you are used to doing simple tasks on your own. Seniors can start to feel like they are starting to lose some of their independence. The solution is to find clothing that replaces these with Velcro. This can be done without sacrificing the overall look of the garment and help to restore a seniors all important independence and self esteem.

For people in a wheelchair adaptive clothing is again specially designed for the wearer. With this type of clothing the backs of shirts can be designed with longer seams and the fronts made shorter so that the fabric will not bunch up. Something as simple as pockets can be a challenge for someone in a wheelchair. Pockets are placed lower in the leg so they can be more easily accessed without standing. Pants can also be made so that the wearer can be dressed while they are still seated.

These can be the most common types of issues that adaptive clothing can help to address but they are not the only ones. Alzheimer’s disease, for example, can cause a patient to try to disrobe themselves at inappropriate times. Clothing that is designed with closures in the back can help to prevent them from doing this so that only their care given can dress and undress them.

Edema is another condition that can effect the types of clothing a person is able to wear and where adaptive clothing can help. Those with Edema have swelling in the feet and legs which can make the wearing of traditionally designed shoes difficult and uncomfortable. In this case shoes that are made to be loose fitting, adjustable and with Velcro closures are a great improvement for the patient.

For individuals who suffer from incontinence their clothing needs to be made to withstand repeated washing. Even the shoes for these patients are specially designed to resist moisture yet are able to withstand rigorous washing.

It any case it is important to find a clothing manufacturer or designer that is familiar with many of the challenges some with special needs faces in terms of their wardrobe. Apparel that is specially adapted yet stylish is also an important when looking for adaptive clothing. Even though the clothing is different the wearer should not feel that they look out place. They should feel confident and comfortable in the clothes that they wear.

It may take a while to find the right designer who understands these needs but it will be worth it. The clothes really can make the person.