Get Dressed Easier
by Rosanna Scott
Getting dressed in the morning can leave you feeling worn out before the day even starts, especially if you have trouble with morning stiffness. Follow these tips to make getting dressed easier.
Prep at night. If you’re typically less stiff in the evening assemble your outfit the night before you wear it. Lay out your clothes in the order that you’ll put them on.
Have a seat. Sit down while you dress. If one arm or leg is more stiff or painful, place it into the piece of clothing first, says Marsha Dresbach, occupational therapist at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima, Ohio. When undressing, remove the stronger arm or leg from the clothing first, then slip out your achy arm or leg. Letting your stronger limb take the lead will provide support.
Loosen up. Fuller cut clothing with larger openings will enable you to easily slip garments over your head or step into them.
Eliminate buttons. Go for Velcro, elastic waistbands, hook-and-eye or zipper closures on pants, skirts, shirts and undergarments. For an easier grip, choose front zippers or use a zipper pull. If buttons are a must, use a button hook available from stores and Web sites offering assistive devices. Shop specialty stores. Several stores offer fashionable clothes designed with Velcro, pull loops and flexible materials for easier dressing.
Get help with your feet. Sock and shoe aids, available through stores and catalogs that sell assistive devices, eliminate the need to bend or stoop. Elastic shoelaces allow you to slip your shoes on and off.
(Arthritis Today, May-June 2006)
