Help With Dementia Clothing.

[sarahmitz123]

My mum is a bit /a lot senile & cuts her clothes 'cos they irritate. I am trying to source knickers that maybe have a velcro-like tab so that she can adjust according to discomfort. Anyone have an idea where I can get such a thing, or is it Dragons Den?????

[sherrardk]

Could you just buy some ordinary knickers and do the Velcro bit yourself?

[Elina]

Hi Sarah, I have never heard of this behaviour. So, to your mums problem. Could you not cut them at each side & sew some half/ one inch wide elastic on?

[ubasses]

Does she explain how they irritate?, could it just be the labels but she cannot work that out. It might be worth cutting them out to see what happens.

[Elina]

Good idea Ubasses. Could be frilly extras too round the leg. I can't stand frilly extras. Slogging brand are very comfortable.

[Elina]

Sloggi not slogging! Predictive text .. sorry.

[Robinia]

Can she manage buttons? Some maternity knickers have adjustable elastic

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maternity-Adjustable-Elastic-Waistband-Underwear/dp/B0087Z0334

Or maybe the ones with elastic inside the cotton would feel more comfortable than those with it sewn on

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tunnel-Elastic-Cotton-Briefs-Knickers/dp/B00B8PGKU0

[RATTER15]

These days, "senile" and "Dementia" are two different issues. Senile is age related confusion, Dementia is a disease of the brain and often not related to age at all. Its been many years since I have heard anybody described as "senile" I hate it. :-(

Just saying!

[EDDIE51]

I am struggling to envisage how having Velcro in your knickers would be any use or how you could 'adjust' them. Surely it could only be of use to make them easier to take off ?

[Eve]

Maybe a size larger might make them a bit more comfortable and ones with easy to cut out labels at the back (so there isn't a bit left that could irritate more) and softer bits round the legs rather than clingy elastic.

Cotton modal ones I've had before have been lovely and soft and you can get extra comfort knickers, Primark usually have some with no seams etc... so cheaper to try. If I have the money though, I find M&S the most comfortable and best wearing.

I find washing with some Oxi powder can soften materials too.

I avoid anything too synthetic though as they tend to get too hot when it's warm.

[woofgang]

I have read through this twice and don't really understand. Are the clothes too tight? itchy? hard to get on and off? Velcro is very stiff and not really suitable on knickers. If you could be more specific about the problem then you might get more useful answers.

[RATTER15]

To be honest, I have worked in the field of dementia for 10 years and never encountered or heard of this problem. I agree, more info would help. Maybe it is just that your Mum does not like wearing certain items of clothing maybe?

[jennyjoan]

Elina I loathe Sloggi as I find them very restricting (fibromyalgia pain) - I just buy soft cotton ones (sorry Bridget Jones) and in your mum's case I would buy next size up to that what she normally wears. They are very comfortable and they come in 5 packs (I know me cheapie cheapie) truly they are comfortable and since they are cheap if she has any wee accidents they are cheaply bought. Oh by the way Sainsburys.

[sarahmitz123]

Thanks all for your responses. Of course, I've tried several of the solutions offered ie cut & resew... maybe there is no solution, she'll just cut & cut & cut....... Thanks once again all.

[sarahmitz123]

Thanks Ratter 15. I'd rather my mum be senile & not demented.You may know what's what, but consider people's feelings!!!

[woofgang]

sarah, i still don't understand the problem...I am a retired occupational therapist and I used to deal with problems like this at work. Maybe I could be of more help if you explained a little further about what is making your Mum uncomfortable...only if you want to of course

[RATTER15]

sarahmitz123, I dont see what I have said to step on anybodies feelings, I just clarified the meanings of two words that "you" used.

Sorry if that offended you.