Wherever possible, ask the person what they would like to put on. Someone with dementia can still choose what they would like to wear. Too many options can be confusing, so you could offer them the choice of only two items of clothing at a time.
Speak to the person about what clothes might be most suitable for what they are doing later, and what the weather is like. Is what they plan to wear suitable? If not, gently suggest alternatives. Respect the person’s choice of what to wear.
As long as it doesn’t harm them, you should accept the person dressing in an unusual way, or wearing clothing that may be viewed as out of place. If the person is determined to wear clothing that does not ‘match’ for example, respect their choice.
Problems with dressing, and practical help
People with dementia may have difficulties dressing. As well as making choices, physically putting on clothing can be more difficult, especially if they have any mobility issues. It may help to look for clothes that are easy to put on and take off.
This may be clothes with larger neck and arm openings, front fastenings, Velcro fastenings, magnetic buttons or poppers rather than buttons or no fastenings – or to make some adaptations to the clothes they already have.
You could use photographs of outfits to give the person a prompt of what goes with what, or make choices about what they wear, which will help them to feel like themselves.
What a person with dementia wears may help them understand where they are and what they are doing. For example, if they are dressed formally they may think they need to go to work. If they are dressed in clothing they usually relax in, this will remind them that they are not at work. Similarly, wearing nightwear may make the person think that it is time for bed. It is good to change into day-wear even if they are not going out or having visitors, to maintain a sense of routine.
If someone is not enjoying wearing something it may cause them distress or discomfort. This could be because it is physically uncomfortable, they are sensitive to certain textures, they don’t like it, or it is new and seems unfamiliar.
