As occupational therapists in the rehabilitation centre, we often encountered problems during the dressing or undressing of people with hemiplegia (half-sided paralysis). Below are some important tips to make this daily activity run more smoothly.
General advice
- Some people with hemiplegia have problems with the order of everyday actions: apraxia. They no longer know how and in which order they should put on their garments. Putting the items of clothing in the correct order goes a long way to helping them
- When dressing, we recommend that you always start with the paralysed side. When undressing it's the other way around: first bring the garment over the healthy side. In this way you avoid twisting the paralysed arm and causing damage to the shoulder. It's also just easier to do it that way. A small reminder: you must take good care of the paralysed limb and keep it 'warm': insert it first when dressing and remove it last when undressing.
Underwear
Women often have difficulty putting on a bra. The method in this videoclearly explains how you can put on your bra with one hand. Too difficult? Then choose a bra with a magnetic front closure.
Tops
- When putting on a shirt, a person with hemiplegia on one side often has problems closing the button on the sleeve of the side that is not affected. This can be remedied by sewing together this button with elastic thread. This is how to make an elastic sleeve cuff.
- A cardigan or shirt with magnetic buttons is even easier. Make sure that the velcro or magnets are always properly closed when you put the garment in the washing machine.
Pants
- Pants with buttons and zippers require a lot of skill from people with hemiplegia. Pants with an elastic waistband offer a solution to this problem. This also makes going to the toilet easier and safer. So Yes has fashionable trousers with elastic for both women and men.
- There are a lot of trousers with magnetic fastening or velcro, allowing the trousers to be effortlessly taken on and off one-handed.
- Do you wear an orthosis? Then choose trousers with wide legsto hide the leg device.
Shoes
- When putting on stockings and shoes, put one leg over the other and let the paralysed arm hang as loosely as possible.
- For shoes with laces, it is possible to thread the lace so that it can be tied with one hand. However, this requires a lot of practice and skill.
- There are also shoes with Velcro or special fasteners such as elastic shoelaces or Zubits.
- Billy Footwear's shoes are easy to put on and take off one-handed thanks to the long and easy-to-handle zip. The ideal solution for people with hemiplegia. They also look very fashionable.
Jackets
Unzipping a jacket with one hand is not easy. A jacket with magnetic zipper can solve this problem. Simply hold the two ends together until they snap together and pull upwards. You can also see how the zipper works in the following video.
There are a lot of videos on YouTube where people with half-sided paralysis demonstrate how to dress or undress most easily. Of course, you can always contact us with all your questions.
See you later,
Sofie en Jessie
