Many daily tasks become more difficult with age, which often means increased reliance on others for help. If you or your loved one struggle with the dressing process, you’ve likely experienced firsthand the frustration and sadness that comes with the loss of independence—and potentially saying goodbye to some favorite outfits.
But there’s good news: Getting dressed is quickly becoming less of a concern for older adults and those who care for them, thanks to a growing number of adaptive clothing manufacturers. Adaptive clothing offers alternate closures, loose-fitting styles, stretchy fabric and other inventive – and hidden – technology to aid seniors with limited strength, mobility or dexterity, all while maintaining their dignity and independence.
Adaptive clothing from Joe & Bella
From magnetic clothing and slip-on shoes to hidden zippers and more, seniors have more options than ever before. New adaptive apparel brand Joe & Bella was founded to “bring more dignity, joy and ease to the lives of older adults and those who care for them.” Family-created and led, Joe & Bella provides adaptive clothing for men and women across many categories of clothing and apparel, including:
- Women’s tops, pants, undergarments, footwear and sleepwear
- Men’s tops, pants, sleepwear and footwear
Joe & Bella founders watched their parents struggle more and more to maintain their independence and dignity once they were moved into an assisted living facility. From that experience, they developed a company dedicated to helping seniors feel in control of the daily task of dressing while destigmatizing adaptive clothing. Their stylish lineup of apparel helps seniors express their individual style, maintain their dignity and even give back to the caregiving community (a portion of every purchase goes to frontline caregivers throughout the U.S.).
Editor’s note: Joe & Bella are offering a special, exclusive coupon code for Seasons readers. Simply enter “SEASONS10” at checkout on joeandbella.com for 10% off your first order!
Benefits of adaptive clothing
Adaptive clothing – and specifically the adaptive line from Joe & Bella – is designed for older adults and those who care for them. Special features like magnetic closures, open-back tops, elastic bands and hidden zippers lessen strain for both parties, provide easier access to IVs or incontinence products, improve comfort for the wearer, and give seniors an increased sense of dignity during the dressing process.
Joe & Bella’s award-winning CareZips technology allows the wearer to keep their pants and shoes on while going to the bathroom or changing incontinence products, and allows for caregivers to more easily change briefs without causing unnecessary strain on themselves or their loved one. CareZips is incorporated into all adaptive pants from Joe & Bella.
Some of Joe & Bella’s best-selling products include:
- Two side zippers and a third inseam zipper that provide full-frontal access from waist to knees
- Easy-grasp zippers
- Flexible, elastic waistband
- Four-way stretch performance fabric for maximum comfort
- Magnetic zipper for one-handed use
- Longer zipper tab for easier gripping
- Polyester and spandex blend for softness, stretch and added warmth
- Overlapping flaps that open in the back and snap securely on the shoulders (including sweaters, blouses and even men’s polos)
- Sleeve and side zippers that don’t require arm lifting during recovery
- Longer zipper tab for easier gripping
Shopping for adaptive clothing
The Joe & Bella website makes it easy to identify the best items for your older adult, explains how to operate each, and even offers step-by-step instructions for certain items. And most clothing items come in sizes ranging from small to triple extra-large to fit nearly every body type.
Browse the site today to shop for the older adult in your care, or take advantage of the knowledge shared in the blog section to learn if adaptive clothing may be right for you and your loved one.
Don’t forget to use the code, “SEASONS10” for 10% off your first order. Visit joeandbella.com to view all collections and start shopping today.
