As the holidays approach and you shop for older loved ones who may be living in assisted living or residing at home with caregivers, Aging Wisely offers gift giving guidance to help you. You can check out our Senior Gifts Guide and our latest post on The Best Gifts for Seniors in 2014 . Today, we asked Wendy Black of Silvert’s Adaptive Clothing and Footwear to share some information about specialty senior clothing. As you’re considering senior gift buying for the holidays or just looking to help loved ones, specialty senior clothing can be a worthwhile purchase to make day-to-day life easier and more comfortable.

Why Senior Clothing?

Specialized senior clothing is designed to be easy to slip on and comfortable. Companies offering specialized senior clothes try to offer attractive styles with easy washability and dressing in mind. Comfy leisure wear, dress fashions, and versatile coordinates can help making dressing easy and provide better daily functionality. Nowadays, there are a variety of styles to suit different needs and fashion preferences.

Clothes for Seniors: What to Look For

Clothing for elder women and men should be fashionable while taking into consideration comfort and ease of dressing. This helps those who have issues with dexterity or need help with their ADLs. Elastic waists in pants and skirts offer easy pull on comfort and allow for weight fluctuation. Loose comfortable fitting clothes make dressing and undressing that much easier.  This may allow the elder to maintain greater independence longer, or make it easier for caregivers. In the winter warmer fabrics, cardigan sweaters, shawls and bed jackets help keep the chill away for seniors with poor circulation. There are several specific categories of specialty items described below.

Shoes for Senior Women & Men

Senior Shoes & Senior Slippers for Foot Problems

Hammer toes, bunions, swelling feet & ankles, diabetes, and edema are just a few of the concerns some elders face that should be taken into account when purchasing shoes for seniors. VELCRO® brand fasteners offer a wonderful solution by making shoes and slippers adjustable to every size and shape of foot. Often one foot may be wider or more swollen then the other or foot swelling fluctuates on a daily basis. Wider and extra wide widths slippers and shoes accommodate senior foot irregularities such hammertoes or bunions.

Senior Fall Prevention Shoes, Slippers and Socks

Skid resistant non slip shoes and slippers help prevent falls. Slip resistant soles provide better traction indoors and outdoors. Non slip socks are wonderful for providing warmth and assisting in fall prevention. Hospital slipper socks offer gripper bottoms that help prevent slips on smooth floor surfaces, and these are great in assisted living or nursing facilities as well. Slip resistant senior shoes, slippers and socks are also terrific for offering fall prevention assistance during wheelchair transfers.

Orthopedic Shoes and Slippers for Seniors

Orthopedic Shoes and Slippers offer the utmost in senior foot comfort.  Soft cushioned insoles can be removable for orthotics. Orthopedic shoes come in extra wide widths and offer lightweight comfort.  For elders with foot, back and other problems, orthopedic shoes may offer the best comfort and minimize aches and pains.

Bras for Senior Women

The comfort and functionality of a bra is of utmost important for elder women and those residing in care facilities.

Comfort Bras

As seniors age skin can become more delicate and fragile. As a result smooth and soft fabrics should be considered when purchasing. Wide comfortable bands on bras and built up shoulders on bras also add to the comfort and reduce chafing and skin tears.

Front Closure Bras or Front Hook Bras for Elderly Women

When hand dexterity and upper arm mobility become reduced due to arthritis, paralysis, Stroke, ALS or other physical challenges, front closure bras are the best solution. Back closure bras can be a struggle when dealing with impaired mobility so this is another important consideration to provide the senior woman with greater independence.

Wendy Black is the Director of National Sales and Marketing for Silvert’s Adaptive Clothing and Footwear. They specialize in attractive, comfortable senior clothing and shoes for elders.

Contact Aging Wisely if you need help with suggestions for adaptive products for elder loved ones or would like a comprehensive assessment for complete tips, resources and planning.