Help with getting dressed

Indie_Kid

I only have this problem sometimes:

After a bit of an accident last year, (I had the same one a few years previously) I've had nothing but problems with my neck, shoulders and arms. A few times I've gone to put something over my head (like a t-shirt) and have managed to hurt myself. I have tried shirts; but the buttons are difficult to see and put through the button holes.

I am not always able to lift my arms without my shoulders cracking - sometimes this is painful; other times not.

Does anyone know where I can buy suitable clothing that I a) don't have to put over my head (I do have a few zip up tracksuit tops; but it's more things like t-shirts, etc) & b) is easily for a visually impaired person to do up?

I do have a few t-shirts that have zips on them - these are ok to do up; as they are quite baggy. Something like that will do.

wiccanlou

You can get a device that helps you pull buttons through the holes I think I have seen it in the bettaware or kleenez catalogues. I have a few tops that I have bought from tesco that have a wide neck and I can pull them alll the way up my body to put on, just checked for you. Hope this helps

jewelly

Would it help to put your arms into Tshirts before lifting it over the head. It vastly reduces the strain on the upper arms and shoulders. I've seen people doing it that way when they have had arthritis.

Also, do you actually need to see the buttons to put them through buttonholes? I tend to do mine by feel only.

Tiddlywinks

I'm living with a shoulder, arm and hand injury at the moment and putting my arm in certain positions is agony - it's like someone has stabbed me:eek:. My fingers sometimes don't work too well either. I have found that tops and dresses with lots of lycra (stretchy material) are much, much easier to put on. They have more 'give' but also they fall back into shape after they have stretched so they don't get ruined.

Wallis and QVC (shopping channel) have some funky looking dresses and tops that are stretchy and just pull on with no buttons at all. They also wash really well and don't need ironing - not everyone can live with the 'lively' colours though;). I wear the dresses with leggings or thick tights and then am good to go with very little effort (or pain).

GlasweJen

There are techniques that can help with putting on tops for people with arthritis, perhaps try youtube for videos?

I put my arms in first and then over my head. To get tops off I grap opposite corners and straighten my arms (if that makes sense), this is throw back to an old injury (broke my collar bones) so I don't actually need to do this any more but I still do as it's so easy.

Savvy_Sue

GlasweJen wrote: »

To get tops off I grap opposite corners and straighten my arms (if that makes sense), this is throw back to an old injury (broke my collar bones) so I don't actually need to do this any more but I still do as it's so easy.

that's how my grandma taught me to take tops off, saying "Skin a rabbit!" as I did so!

However I don't know about the OP, but if you can't get your arm above shoulder height I'm not sure this will work.

And I don't know if it's one shoulder or both affected, but I find I have to put bad arm through armhole first, then lift vest over head with 'good' hand, then wiggle 'good' arm around until I can get it through the other armhole. same with shirts / cardigans / coats: pull sleeve up bad arm, keeping it straight, pull it around back, then push good arm down the rabbit hole ...

I'm getting better at this, but I haven't attempted anything with sleeves which doesn't button up the front!

bbjohnny

Hello I am new around here.

I am quite creative and make a lot of adjustments myself for my child's difficulties. In this case I would buy a tee-shirt one size up, slit it down at the neck, and incorporate a velcro seal so it could be stepped into then slipped together once on.

I bet if you look in your local newspaper you can find a local seamstress who does wedding dress adjustments and stuff. Ring a few and see if you can find one who will adjust some clothes for you. Hopefully you get DLA and that can pay for things like this.

I hope that's a helpful idea.

GlasweJen

You can do the "skin a rabbit" technique stretching your arms out the way, not just up the way. Just need to bend your head to get that out at the end.

Indie_Kid

Thanks for your help. I do have a few t-shirts that I can get over my head; but they're rather baggy. One issue I have is that I have limited movement in my neck, arms and shoulders.

GlasweJen

Have you tried something like those blouses that are ready buttoned and stretchy that go over the head? They can be quite nice fits - I have a few from new look.

Also V neck t-shirts would be easier than round necks, lycra better than cotton in general and zippers instead of hoodies.

jewelly

bbjohnny wrote: »

Hello I am new around here.

I am quite creative and make a lot of adjustments myself for my child's difficulties. In this case I would buy a tee-shirt one size up, slit it down at the neck, and incorporate a velcro seal so it could be stepped into then slipped together once on.

I bet if you look in your local newspaper you can find a local seamstress who does wedding dress adjustments and stuff. Ring a few and see if you can find one who will adjust some clothes for you. Hopefully you get DLA and that can pay for things like this.

I hope that's a helpful idea.

I don't think a weekly payment of DLA is appropriate for a difficulty that is only occasional.