Adaptive Clothing Information
Adaptive clothing is clothing designed for people with physical disabilities, the elderly, and the infirm who may experience difficulty dressing themselves due to an inability to manipulate closures, such as buttons and zippers, or due to a lack of a full range of motion required for self-dressing. Adaptive clothing typically offers rear-closure designs so that an individual can be dressed more easily by a carer. For example, rather than buttons and zippers, Velcro may be used for garment closures.
Adaptive pants designed for dressing a wheelchair user while the wearer remains seated.
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Special needs
Adaptive clothing often addresses such problems as edema, incontinence and inappropriate behavior issues associated with Alzheimer's disease. Different styles of adaptive clothing are best suited to an individual with disabilities based on the nature of the wearer's ailment. For example, a person who is unable to lift his arms above shoulder level would need a different clothing solution than a person suffering from incontinence. Special needs clothing can be difficult to find. For that reason, some seek to employ the services of a dressmaker to transform ready-made clothing into garments which suit their unique needs.
Adaptive clothing products range from clothing protection for dining to tear-resistant shirts and pants. Clothing protector vests are one of the most common forms of adaptive clothing as they are the most adaptable to different conditions. Most contemporary designs attempt to give a sense of dignity to the clothing item by moving away from older terrycloth designs to ones that more closely mimic typical articles of clothing. Adaptive clothing describes but is not limited to: clothing proctor bibs and vests, bandannas, shirts, lapkins, jumpsuits, elastic waist pants, and capes. Companies such as Golden Wear Clothing, Professional Fit Clothing, Dignified Bibs, Buck and Buck, Silverts, and Adrian's Closet all provide variations of adaptive apparel and incontinence products.
Another important Demographic of society that is rapidly growing is children with special needs such as limited range of motion, impaired dexterity and contractures, G-tube feeding, Wheelchair, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Developmental Disabilities, Toilet and changing needs, Catheters and Colostomy bags, IV tubes, Autism and Rigidity. There are companies that make clothing for children with special needs using the following adaptations: flat seams to reduce friction, discrete adaptions to make the clothing look as normal as possible, easy access with snaps, velcro and stretchy fabric, roomy seat to accommodate diapers for all ages, longer rise in the back to accommodate sitting in wheelchairs, elastic waist for increased comfort and ease in dressing and meeting safety and flammability standards. In addition the same companies can also make custom clothing tailored for specific needs and challenges of each customer. Some examples of companies that make clothing for children with special needs: Adaptations by Adrian; Mini Miracles Children's Clothing; The Callhans; Talon Clothing.
Alzheimer's disease
Main article: Locking clothingDementia associated with Alzheimer's disease often causes patients to disrobe at inappropriate times. Adaptive clothing for Alzheimer's patients usually features rear closures for the purpose of making it difficult to remove articles of clothing without the assistance of a care giver.
Edema
Edema is a swelling of the feet and legs, which can lead to difficulty and discomfort when wearing conventional footwear. Adaptive shoes are loose fitting, adjustable in size, and offer non-restrictive Velcro closures.
Incontinence
Individuals suffering from incontinence require clothing that can withstand rigorous and repeated washing. Shoes for incontinent individuals are designed to be washable and to not readily absorb moisture.
Stroke
Stroke frequently causes varying degrees of paralysis, leading to an inability to operate buttons and zippers. Adaptive clothing for stroke patients will use velcro, as it can be manipulated more easily with one hand.
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