How to Build a Wardrobe for the Differently Abled? - Joe & Bella Skip to content

How to Build a Wardrobe for the Differently Abled?

Building a wardrobe for differently abled individuals goes beyond just choosing clothes. It's about creating a collection of garments that are not only functional and comfortable but also enhance the wearer's independence and confidence. This guide explores the essential aspects of designing an adaptive wardrobe, focusing on the unique needs of differently abled individuals.

Understanding Clothing for Differently Abled Individuals

Carefully choosing clothing for differently abled individuals is a crucial factor in everyday comfort and self-expression. Adaptive clothing addresses specific physical and cognitive conditions such as limited mobility, sensory sensitivities, and the need for easy dressing and undressing. The right clothing can significantly impact the lives of differently abled individuals, offering them greater independence and participation in various activities. Certain clothing choices can be the key resource to unlock independence and dignity for many differently abled individuals.

What to Look for When Creating an Adaptive Wardrobe? 

Creating an adaptive wardrobe requires careful consideration of the unique needs of differently abled individuals. When looking for adaptive clothing, first think through what problems and situations you want the clothes to solve. Here’s what to look for:

Knowledge About Types of Adaptive Clothing 

Adaptive clothing encompasses a wide range of garments designed to cater to various needs. This includes clothes with innovative closures that may include Velcro, magnets, zippers or snaps. Elastic waists, open-back designs, and garments with adjustable features and specialty fabric are key features of adaptive clothes. For wheelchair users, there are specially designed pants and dresses that are ergonomically designed to both feel better in a seated position and look better while seated. Magnetic buttons and zippers are ideal for those with limited hand dexterity. There are even clothes that make assisted dressing easier for those individuals who need help with dressing. Other adaptive clothes may accommodate extra access points for medical devices, incontinence products, or for doctor’s visits.

Comfortable Fabric for Limited Mobility 

For individuals with limited mobility, especially those in wheelchairs, comfort is especially key. Fabrics should be soft, stretchable, and non-irritating to the skin. Avoiding hard seams and tags that can cause discomfort or pressure sores is essential. Adaptive apparel brand Joe & Bella, for example, only uses carefully sourced fabric that is appropriate for individuals with skin sensitivities. Their fabric is both breathable and durable to ensure the clothes can be worn often and washed easily.

Ease of Use for Caregivers 

Clothing that can be easily managed by caregivers is vital. Think about features like snap closures, wrap-around designs, and open-back garments, which make dressing and undressing less physically demanding for both the caregiver and the individual.

Many caregivers report that the dressing process is a twice-daily routine that’s often full of tension and frustration, negatively impacting their relationship with their care recipient. Adaptive clothing can help make dressing easier, quicker, safer and simpler, for both the caregiver and care recipient. 

Easy to Manage 

For people with limited mobility or paralysis, ease of use is paramount. Garments with side zippers, snap buttons, and magnetic buttons enable these individuals to dress independently, fostering a sense of self-reliance. Joe & Bella positions side zippers and snaps on their pants to avoid pressure points for comfort while locating them in an easy-to grasp position. Long zipper pulls are easy to grab. Joe & Bella’s Everyday Magnetic Button Down is a wonderful option for those with limited mobility; thanks to hidden magnets behind the buttons, this shirt can be easily secured with just one hand, even with limited finger dexterity. 

Consider Incontinence 

Incontinence is common among differently abled individuals. Adaptive clothing for incontinence includes features like waterproof fabrics and discreet openings, providing practical solutions while maintaining dignity and comfort. Joe & Bella’s CareZips® adaptive pants for men and CareZips® adaptive pants for women are designed to make accessing incontinence products easier and more dignified. These pants include a patented inseam zipper that opens from the inside of one knee to the other. They’re also designed to hide any appearance of incontinence products, giving the wearer the confidence they deserve.

Loose Fitting Clothes to Hide Medical Devices

Many differently abled people rely on medical devices such as urinary catheters and ostomy bags. Adaptive clothing should be designed to conceal these devices discreetly, with extra room or special pockets so as to ensure comfort and privacy.

Clothes that Encourage Independence and Confidence

Adaptive clothing should not only be functional, but also fashionable, encouraging independence while boosting confidence. Garments with easy-to-use features like magnetic buttons, featured, for example, in Joe & Bella’s Everyday Magnetic Button-Down Shirt, empowers individuals, enhancing their self-esteem and willingness to engage socially.

Where can you get Adaptive Clothing for Disabled Individuals?

One notable provider of adaptive clothing is Joe & Bella. They offer a range of adaptive clothing options designed to meet the needs of disabled individuals. Their collection includes tops and bottoms for men and women with accessible features, comfortable fabrics, and stylish designs that cater to both functionality and fashion.

Conclusion 

Building an adaptive wardrobe for differently abled individuals requires understanding their unique needs and choosing clothing that offers comfort, ease of use, and independence. The right clothing can significantly enhance the quality of life for differently abled individuals, providing them with the freedom to express themselves and participate actively in their communities. Selecting the appropriate garments can help make their daily lives more comfortable and dignified. And, contemporary adaptive-apparel brands like Joe & Bella offer premium styles that look and feel like clothes that people have always worn.
Testimonial Testimonial
Quote Icon

Your design team knocked it out of the park! I never thought adaptive clothes could be so fashionable.

Related Articles

Related Article - 10 Disability Aids to Enhance Comfort and Independence for the Elderly

10 Disability Aids to Enhance Comfort and Independence for the Elderly

Related Article - 15 Gift Ideas for Osteoarthritis Patients

15 Gift Ideas for Osteoarthritis Patients

Related Article - How to Assist a Stroke Patient Getting Dressed: 7 Tips For Easier Dressing

How to Assist a Stroke Patient Getting Dressed: 7 Tips For Easier Dressing

Related Article - How to Choose the Best Winter Clothes for the Elderly?

How to Choose the Best Winter Clothes for the Elderly?

Related Article - How to Deal with Arthritis in Winter?

How to Deal with Arthritis in Winter?

Related Article - Gifts Ideas for Patients With Alzheimer’s

Gifts Ideas for Patients With Alzheimer’s

Related Article - What to Wear to Chemotherapy Sessions?

What to Wear to Chemotherapy Sessions?

Related Article - 10 Gifts for People With Parkinson's

10 Gifts for People With Parkinson's

Related Article - Easy to Put on Clothing for Elderly

Easy to Put on Clothing for Elderly

Related Article - Adaptive Fashion for Autistic Children with Sensory Processing Differences

Adaptive Fashion for Autistic Children with Sensory Processing Differences

Related Article - Adaptive Fashion for All Ages

Adaptive Fashion for All Ages

Related Article - 6 Comfortable Nightgowns for Bedridden Patients

6 Comfortable Nightgowns for Bedridden Patients

Related Article - 15 Useful Gifts For Disabled People

15 Useful Gifts For Disabled People

Related Article - Home Care for People with Disabilities: A Complete Guide

Home Care for People with Disabilities: A Complete Guide

Related Article - Why do Hospital Gowns Open in the Back?

Why do Hospital Gowns Open in the Back?

Related Article - Hospital Gown Colors & Their Meanings

Hospital Gown Colors & Their Meanings

Related Article - Best Sock Puller Assistance Tools For Seniors

Best Sock Puller Assistance Tools For Seniors

Related Article - 24 Homemade Father’s Day Gift Ideas

24 Homemade Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Related Article - 31 Father’s Day Activities to Do with Your Dad

31 Father’s Day Activities to Do with Your Dad

Related Article - Best Long-Sleeve Nightshirts For Women

Best Long-Sleeve Nightshirts For Women

Related Article - Adaptive Clothing for Post Mastectomy: Re-defining Style and Comfort

Adaptive Clothing for Post Mastectomy: Re-defining Style and Comfort

Related Article - Adaptive Wear Options for Seniors in Florida

Adaptive Wear Options for Seniors in Florida

Related Article - 21 Signs of Elderly Decline

21 Signs of Elderly Decline

Related Article - How To Recover From Surgery Faster?

How To Recover From Surgery Faster?

Related Article - Why Do Dementia Patients Take Their Clothes Off?

Why Do Dementia Patients Take Their Clothes Off?

Related Article - 11 Chair Exercises For Seniors With Music

11 Chair Exercises For Seniors With Music

Related Article - 11 Tips on Setting Boundaries With Difficult Elderly Parents

11 Tips on Setting Boundaries With Difficult Elderly Parents

Related Article - 19 Must Have Home Medical Supplies For Seniors

19 Must Have Home Medical Supplies For Seniors

Related Article - 17 Best Senior Craft Ideas: Simple, Creative and Useful

17 Best Senior Craft Ideas: Simple, Creative and Useful

Related Article - 14 Best Christmas Gifts For Older Parents and Grandparents

14 Best Christmas Gifts For Older Parents and Grandparents

Related Article - How To Remove Urine Smell From Elderly Clothing?

How To Remove Urine Smell From Elderly Clothing?

Related Article - 30 Homemade Mother's Day Gift Ideas

30 Homemade Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Related Article - 21 Mother’s Day Celebration Ideas to Do With Your Mom

21 Mother’s Day Celebration Ideas to Do With Your Mom

Related Article - 25 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Grandmas and Older Moms

25 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Grandmas and Older Moms

Related Article - Cousin Alan's Magnetic Shirt

Cousin Alan's Magnetic Shirt

Related Article - 19 Fun Activities for Seniors Living with Dementia

19 Fun Activities for Seniors Living with Dementia

Related Article - 24 Things That Are Useful for the Elderly

24 Things That Are Useful for the Elderly

Related Article - US Weekly: Buzz-O-Meter: Joe & Bella x Hilarity for Charity Collaboration

US Weekly: Buzz-O-Meter: Joe & Bella x Hilarity for Charity Collaboration

Related Article - 10 Things Old People Like to Do

10 Things Old People Like to Do

Related Article - ADL & IADL Guide for the Elderly

ADL & IADL Guide for the Elderly

Related Article - 11 Must Have House Dresses for the Elderly

11 Must Have House Dresses for the Elderly

Related Article - What Causes Arthritis Flare Ups? Symptoms and Treatments

What Causes Arthritis Flare Ups? Symptoms and Treatments

Related Article - Best Shoes for Swollen Feet

Best Shoes for Swollen Feet

Related Article - Heat Edema: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Cure?

Heat Edema: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Cure?

Related Article - 11 Gift Ideas for Older Women Living Alone

11 Gift Ideas for Older Women Living Alone

Related Article - 7 Best Bras for Older Women

7 Best Bras for Older Women

Related Article - How to Take Care of the Elderly in Your Home?

How to Take Care of the Elderly in Your Home?

Related Article - 7 Items Nursing Home Patients Need

7 Items Nursing Home Patients Need

Related Article - 7 Safety Checklist for Elderly Living Alone

7 Safety Checklist for Elderly Living Alone

Related Article - Stylish Outfits for Older Men: What Do Senior Men Like to Wear?

Stylish Outfits for Older Men: What Do Senior Men Like to Wear?

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU
Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.