Q. Iām a concerned daughter-in-law writing on behalf of her 87-year-old mother-in-law. Her vision is declining due to glaucoma. While she is taking it in stride, Iāve noticed that she seems disheartened recently. She has always been a rather dignified person. She would never dare leave the house before āputting herself togetherā and feels that loungewear should only be worn in the privacy of oneās home. Her wardrobe is filled with fine clothing, many of which require intricate fastening. Recently, she answered the door in complete disarray. Her cardigan was misbuttoned, her pants didnāt match, and she was wearing two different shoes. While she tried to laugh it off, I could tell that she was discouraged about her inability to dress herself properly. Do you have any dressing tips to help someone with low vision?
A. I have much respect for your mother-in-law and can appreciate her sense of fashion, even in her late 80s. Wouldnāt we all be better off if we refused to leave the house before āputting ourselves together?ā I love it.
I would start by ensuring her closet is well-organized. Group similar colors together and purchase closet dividers to help her stay organized. Alternate sections between dark colors and light colors so that she can distinguish easier between dark-colored clothing.
As youāre organizing her closet, gently suggest that she downsize her more intricate clothing. Guide her towards shirts and pants that donāt require much buttoning or fastening. Focus on open-front cardigans that she can layer over a knit t-shirt. Suggest no-button trousers that she can easily pull on. Many brands now offer comfortable clothes that are still very fashionable.
Add flat, brightly colored stickers to the insoles of your mother-in-lawās shoes to help her distinguish between pairs. Choose different colors for different pairs of shoes.
Ensure your mother-in-lawās closet is brightly lit. Increase the bulb wattage if possible. Offer to help her select outfits for the upcoming week. Then, hang the entire outfit on one hanger and place them in the front of her closet.
Technology can also assist your mother-in-law dress successfully. Look into digital closet apps, where you scan every item of clothing and then tag it with pertinent information. Color reader apps allow users to scan an item of clothing, and then the app names the color aloud.
If your mother-in-law has limited technical skills, you can add textured stickers or clothing tags to her clothes. Such stickers can convey information such as color or care instructions. There are individual handheld devices that scan and identify colors, such as the āColorino.ā
Finally, if your mother-in-law has difficulty seeing to get appropriately dressed, consider adaptive equipment to make the process easier. Zip pulls, or button loops, are specifically designed to help grab and hold small buttons or zipper pulls with ease. Long shoe horns with a handle help guide the foot into a shoe in a seated or standing position.
With the proper tools and a little organization, you can set your mother-in-law up for successful dressing. These tips should allow her to maintain her independence while also preserving her dignity as she can continue to choose to wear the clothing she prefers.
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