Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia requires creativity, patience, empathy, and the ability to step outside of your reasoning and logic, realize why a specific behavior is happening, and then learn how to manage it effectively. That’s certainly the situation with a loved one who won’t change his or her clothing, regardless of how dirty or unkempt an outfit has become.
There are many explanations why someone with Alzheimer’s may insist upon wearing the same outfit, including:
Judgment or memory problems, for example, losing track of time or thinking the clothes were recently changed
The comfort and familiarity of a specific bit of clothing
A need to maintain control
Struggles with the task of changing clothes
Feeling stressed from the choices associated with selecting an outfit
Fatigue and physical pain
The inability to detect the scent and to see stains on clothes
Our care team has some suggestions for how to help someone with Alzheimer’s:
First off, don’t ever argue or try to reason with someone with Alzheimer’s.
Purchase additional outfits that are the same as the one your senior loved one insists on wearing.
When the senior is bathing or sleeping, remove the dirty clothing from the room and replace it with clean items.
Make getting dressed as easy as possible, using only a few easy choices to put on and take off, and permitting as much time as necessary for dressing.
Offer clothing options in solid colors rather than patterns, which could be distracting, confusing, or visually overstimulating.
Take into account any timing issues: is the senior exceedingly tired or aggravated at a particular period of the day? If so, try incorporating dressing into the time of day when they usually feel the calmest and most content.
Evaluate if your feelings are exacerbating the problem in any respect. For example, is it a question of embarrassment driving the demand for your senior loved one to clothe themselves in a certain way?
Remember that wearing a comfy outfit for an added day may be preferred over the emotional battle involved forcing a change of clothing. When it truly becomes a concern, however, give us a call! Sometimes, an older adult feels more comfortable being helped with personal care needs such as dressing and bathing by a skilled in-home caregiver instead of a family member. Modern Health Home Care care experts are experienced and trained in helping those diagnosed with dementia maintain personal hygiene with kindness and compassion, and they are always available to help.
Contact us at 215.995.2012 to learn more about our Alzheimer’s care in Philadelphia and the surrounding communities.
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