By Taylor, RN & Chief Customer Happiness Officer at Joe & Bella
Getting dressed is something most of us take for granted, that is, until it becomes difficult. For many older adults, the simple act of dressing can become increasingly challenging due to various age-related physical and cognitive changes. Understanding these challenges helps us create better adaptive clothing solutions and communicate more effectively with our customers.
Reduced Dexterity and Fine Motor Skills
As we age, many people experience decreased hand dexterity and finger strength. This makes manipulating small buttons, hooks, and zippers particularly frustrating. Even pulling up pants or reaching behind to adjust clothing can become difficult tasks.
Limited Range of Motion
Arthritis and joint stiffness become dramatically more common with age. Prevalence rises sharply after age 50, and by ages 65 to 74, an estimated 44% of adults live with arthritis, a figure that continues climbing into the mid-70s and beyond. These conditions can make it challenging to:
- Raise arms overhead to put on shirts
- Bend to pull on pants or socks
- Twist to fasten back closures
- Maintain balance while standing to dress
Decreased Strength
Muscle mass naturally declines with age (a condition known as sarcopenia), making it harder to perform the pulling, tugging, and adjusting movements required for dressing. This is especially true for heavier garments like jeans or winter coats.
Sensory Changes
Vision changes can make it difficult to distinguish colors or see small details like buttons. Touch sensitivity may decrease, making it harder to feel if clothing is on correctly or detect wrinkles that might cause discomfort.
Cognitive Changes and Dressing
For those experiencing cognitive decline, remembering the proper sequence of dressing (e.g., underwear before pants) can become confusing. This leads to frustration and sometimes abandonment of the task altogether.
Too many clothing options or complicated garments can overwhelm someone with cognitive changes, making the dressing process stressful rather than routine.
Some individuals may have difficulty recognizing which garments are appropriate for weather conditions or occasions, or even identifying which clothes belong to them.
Why This Matters for Joe & Bella's Adaptive Clothing Design
Understanding these challenges informs every aspect of our adaptive clothing design:
- Hidden magnetic closures replace difficult buttons
- Strategic openings reduce the need for full range of motion
- Premium, lightweight stretch fabrics decrease the strength needed to dress
- Color choice and tactile differences aid those with sensory changes
- Simplified designs reduce cognitive load
Most importantly, this knowledge helps us maintain dignity in our approach. Our customers aren't "struggling," they're experiencing natural changes that our thoughtful designs accommodate.
By focusing on solutions rather than limitations, we help our customers continue to express themselves through fashion while supporting their independence and confidence.
Be Happy, Dress Easy
Taylor, RN & Chief Customer Happiness Officer
About the Author:
Nurse Taylor Donaldson is Joe & Bella's Chief of Customer Happiness and a former geriatric nurse. Known to our customers as "Nurse Taylor," she brings a frontline caregiver's perspective to everything we do, helping ensure our products hold up not just in concept, but in the daily reality of getting someone dressed with limited time, limited mobility, and a lot on the line. Have a question or a topic you'd like her to cover? Just reply to this email.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, physical therapist, or occupational therapist to conduct a personalized fall risk assessment and recommend specific interventions for your unique needs.