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How do Adaptive Pajamas Help the Elderly?

Adaptive pajamas have numerous benefits. They help the elderly to be comfortable, look good, and make assisted dressing easier for their caregivers. With discreet, fully open back pajamas and nightgowns that open in the back, have Velcro closures or snaps, they provide easy access when changing or dressing an elderly man or woman who is a bedridden patient. Sophisticated, soft, and expressly designed, adaptive pajamas and nightgowns are a wonderful comfort that an elderly loved one will find especially meaningful.

Comfort and convenience

Designed with end of life or palliative care in mind, pajamas that open in the back povide the illusion of regular mens or womens pajamas. Discreet back velcro closures ensure a secure, loose fit while attractive print and style details enhance the overall appearance of the adaptive pajamas and sleepwear. High quality fabrics and trims are important, so adaptive pajamas provide the ultimate comfort next to sensitive skin.

Men and women’s styles available

Adaptive pajamas and nightgowns are available for both men and women in styles that are designed for easy-on and easy-off convenience. They are also a great alternative to unattractive mens or women’s hospital gowns. Women’s open back pjs and nightgowns are available in both short and long sleeve gown styles with beautiful lace detail. Men’s open back PJs styles are a great option to typical hospital gowns for men and come in a variety of attractive nightshirt designs, including both short and long sleeve options.

Innovative pajama design

Many pajamas and nightgown designs that open in the back incorporate Velcro, closures in the back to help the elderly stay comfortable and easily change in and out of the sleepwear as needed for medical care. Since adaptive pajamas open up completely, patients are easily able to slide into the sleeves and never need to raise or lower their arms, as required by traditional pajamas making for struggle free dressing.

Adaptive nightgowns and sleepwear are an excellent solution for elderly men and women with decreased range of motion, limited mobility, bedridden, disabled, in hospice care or nursing home care. Dressing can be both challenging and a source of undue frustration for the elderly man or woman, however, with open back adaptive clothing and pajama solutions available, caregivers don’t have to struggle and patients don’t have to be uncomfortable again. Affordable, intelligently designed and attractive, adaptive styles are both practical and appreciated. Here are some great options :

https://www.dignitypajamas.com

What are the Best Nightgowns for Elderly Woman in a Nursing Home?

Recently my mother went into a nursing home and has a caregiver to help with daily tasks of dressing and bathing etc. It made me start to think about what are the best nightgowns for an elderly woman in a nursing home who was being dressed by a caregiver.

The best nightgowns for an elderly woman in a nursing home will vary depending on her condition. Generally speaking, a nightgown made in a soft comfortable fabric is ideal.

Fabrics like 100% Cotton knit are a great choice for soft comfort. If she is bedridden, an open back nightgown with back velcro closures is ideal. The back shoulder velcro closure ensures there is no pressure on her back from the closures and makes for easy on, easy off dressing by the caregiver, reducing the stress on the elderly woman being dressed or changed.

Now that you know what kind of nightgown is best, what if your Mom or grandma doesn’t like cotton?

What fabrics are best for nightgowns for elderly women?

For many, cotton is a great choice because it is soft on the skin, lightweight, and allows good air circulation. It ‘breathes’ and it’s also ideal for all seasons. Cotton is a natural fiber and keeps you cool in the summer and insulates in cooler weather.

However, some people prefer synthetic fabrics. A great choice here would be a lightweight softly brushed synthetic knit that is smooth and does not irritate the skin.

What design is most loved by elderly women?

The most important design feature for an elderly womans’ nightgown is comfort. They love an easy full fit so it doesn’t tug or pull anywhere while they are sleeping. Elderly women also like modesty and function as well as pretty details on their sleepwear. There are also many choices of sleeve lengths, long and short, to help keep them more comfortable.

Does quality matter?

Quality matters a lot. Our loved ones deserve the best. The best gowns are well made and are manufactured with attention to detail and finishes. They use high-quality fabrics that last, wash well and are made to high standards with great design.

What is the most important comfort factor?

The fit and the fabric are the most important factors when it comes to comfortable sleepwear. A loose, easy fit is preferred by elderly women. Soft breathable fabrics that absorb the perspiration in warm weather and also give warmth in cooler weather are the best choices. Also, elderly women tend to have dry skin. A soft cotton knit nightgown is a great choice as it is smooth and will not irritate the skin.

Pullover vs open back?

If an elderly woman is mobile and able to dress and undress by herself, a pullover nightgown with a wide neck opening that goes easily over the head might be a good choice. If an elderly woman is bedridden or needs assisted dressing help from a caregiver, then an open back nightgown with adaptive back closures would be a great choice.

An open back nightgown will reduce the stress of movement on the person a caregiver is changing and dressing. 

In conclusion, nightgowns are an essential and important part of a woman’s wardrobe when they are young, when they are older and even when they are elderly. Although an elderly woman’s needs in a nursing home may be few, they still want to feel good, be comfortable and look pretty when they sleep or are bedridden. There are some great choices out there to help your loved ones relax, feel good and look good. Here are some to take a look at.

LONG-TERM MEDICAL CARE: WHAT ARE LTCHS, SNFS, AND IRFS?

LONG-TERM MEDICAL CARE: WHAT ARE LTCHS, SNFS, AND IRFS?

Checkout this article by Carenity.US

https://www.carenity.us/condition-information/magazine/news/longterm-medical-care-what-are-ltchs-snfs-and-irfs-1140

A hospitalization can, for many reasons, be prolonged and last a relatively long time. However, specialized centers exist to accommodate patients on a long-term basis. Long-term care hospitals (LTCHs), skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) are among them. These facilities allow for continued hospitalization if necessary. 

What are these different facilities? How are they different? 

We explain it all in our article!

What is an IRF? 

The main objective of inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) is to allow patients to regain their physical autonomy and prevent readmissions. A multidisciplinary team of nurses, doctors, physical therapists and other health professionals provide patients with personalized care. 

In most cases, patients admitted to these facilities have conditions related to stroke, brain damage or other neurological problems.   

If the patient requires more extensive care, other facilities will be more suitable. 

What is a SNF?  

SNFs, or skilled nursing facilities, allow patients leaving the hospital who do not require intensive care to have additional follow-up before being able to go home.   

The services offered in these structures are nursing care, i.e. daily care (help with dressing, washing, etc.) and care related to the patient’s illnesses (dressing, taking medication, etc.). These structures are adapted to the follow-up care of patients who have suffered heart attacks, fractures, surgeries, etc.   

The staff consists of doctors and nurses, who will do most of the care.   

These services are therefore useful for patients who require a longer period of support than the initial hospitalization can provide. However, if more extensive care is required, it will be necessary to turn to another facility such as an LTCH. 

What is an LTCH? 

Long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) are used to care for patients requiring hospitalization for more than 25 days. Generally, these are patients dealing with serious illnesses (e.g. organ failure). Care such as respiratory therapy, pain management, treatment of head trauma or complex injuries can be provided. 

In this type of facility, patients can have access to services such as long-term chronic care service, rehabilitation services, etc. The latter is particularly beneficial for patients leaving the hospital with a new disability. Indeed, these patients often face a daunting adaptation of their lifestyle and process of mental acceptance of this radical change. LTCHs can be a key source of aid for such patients, facilitating links with trusted professionals or patient organizations.   

Finally, in order to better cope while in an SNF or on a long-term hospital stay, patients may turn to the simple comforts, such as clothing. Fortunately, a few companies exist, such as 

Dignity Pajamas, helping patients maintain their comfort and dignity while undergoing long-term care. This sleepwear is a great alternative to an unattractive hospital gown and makes it easy for the caregiver to dress and change the patient with adaptive back velcro closures, all while maintaining their appearance. 

Give yourself a break!

reprinted from Caregiver.com

Give Yourself a Break, Right Now

by Gary Barg, Editor-in-Chief

Doctor appointments that must be scheduled; the constant care and attention your love done needs, both physically and emotionally; the back and forth to grocery stores, drug stores, physical therapy sessions and, most of all, the need to know you are doing the “right thing” for loved one in need of your care. We all know the daily challenges we face as caregivers and that we seldom have time for ourselves. 

But we need time –time to reflect, relax and rejuvenate for at least few hours each week. This “private time”gives us a renewed strength to carry on. It’s important to take that time. You deserve it. AND, should not feel guilty about it.

There are ways to allow yourself time away. For an hour,a day or even a weekend to collect your thoughts and get back on track. It’s okay to do that. Listen, you’ve got a very important role to play – if you do not care for yourself, who will step in to care for you AND your loved one. I want to share with you some of the things I’ve learned. 

Take the time to read through my “guilt free” list and I know you’ll be a better caregiver for it… 

Accept the help others offer. Suggest specific things they can do for you and your loved one. This is rule #1for a reason. No one is a Super Hero. Don’t feel like you’re the only one that can take dad to the doctor or your wife to her physical therapist. REACH OUT and ask another family member — or close family friend — to assist you occasionally so you have time to yourself.Trust in their willingness to help. Many times they do not know how to reach out and help unless you are able to communicate your needs.

Ask for and accept favors such as: a friend staying with your loved one while you are able to get out of the house for a while, a dinner being cooked for you and your loved one once a week, an offer to go to the supermarket or drugstore in your place. Respite can be achieved on a daily basis with the smallest of kindnesses.

Know your limits! If you wear yourself out caring for your loved one, who will step in to care for the both of you? Remember, caring for yourself is not selfish, it’s the greatest gift you can give your loved one.

Happy Holidays from Dignity Pajamas

We’d like to take a moment and wish you all a Happy Holiday season .

We apreciate our customers and thank you for your support .

Enjoy your loved ones, give the gift of dignity, comfort and ease to your loved ones this holiday season.

Peace …Love…Joy

Franne

Dignity Pajamas

4 Signs Your Elderly Loved One Needs Help

Your parents are invincible. This is what we believe when we are younger. However, as time passes by, we recognize that we get older. Eventually, you start to notice small instances of your parents needing help. You don’t want to impose. I mean it can be hard for them to hear about needing help. Before you step in, the best thing to do is to wait and see if they need the extra help.

After being independent and self sufficient, it is almost impossible for your parents to admit they need help. Additionally, as our parents, they don’t want us to worry. Regardless, of how old they are, they will always put your needs before their own. Though they may not like the idea, it is important to stress how additional help around the home can make their life easier.

4 Positive signs that your elderly loved one needs help:

1. Forgetfulness
2. Illness or physical disability
3. Loss of appetite
4. Difficulty getting around

These four signs are indications that your loved one might benefit from someone helping them. It’s not a bad thing. With an open heart and an open mind, caregivers are skilled enough to not be intrusive. There are instances where parents are overjoyed with the extra company. It gives them an opportunity to do more than they thought they realized.

Home health aides assist in day to day activities when they are needed. For this reason, aging shouldn’t have to be a pain. There is no shame in it either . Millions of family members opt for home care because it is safer, psychologically better, and families have complete control over the decisions they make for who they hire.

as seen in ES Home care solutions

At the Holidays-10 Signs Indicating an Aging Loved One May Need Help

10 Signs Indicating an Aging Loved One May Need Help

1. Mail and bills are left to pile up. The simple act of opening and filing mail becomes overwhelming.

Managing a checking account can also become too much for a parent to handle.

2. The house is cluttered or unkempt. This is especially troubling if a parent has always been neat and orderly.

3. Food in the refrigerator is uneaten or spoiled. Shopping, cooking, and cleaning become too much trouble.

A parent might eat just enough to get by, but suffer nutritionally. Losing weight can be another sign that a parent is not eating a nutritious diet.

4. Signs of scorching on the bottoms of pots and pans. A result of short-term memory loss, this is a dangerous

sign that parents are forgetting about pots left on the stove, causing a fire hazard, and threatening both the

individual’s and the surrounding neighbor’s safety.

5. The parent wears the same clothing over and over again and has other personal hygiene issues. Doing

laundry has become physically challenging, particularly if the washing machine is in the basement. Or there

may be a fear of falling in the tub or shower.

6. Missed doctor’s appointments. Sometimes this is simply a product of not having transportation and not

knowing how to access ride options.

7. Repeated phone calls at odd hours. When a parent telephones friends or family at odd hours, it may be a

sign of memory loss, or a cry for help– a sign of depression or isolation. Arranging for a daily check-in phone

call, a regular volunteer visitor, or getting involved with a local senior center, could make all the difference.

8. Forgetting to take medication. A sign of short-term memory loss or depression, this isn’t just a quality of

life issue, but a real risk factor.

9. Inappropriate behavior, clothing or speech. You may hear about this from a neighbor, someone who has

noticed that your parent is not dressing appropriately for the weather, for instance. That’s a sign that he or she

might be confused.

10. Symptoms of depression. A frequent problem for many older people, who feel isolated and alone, like a

prisoner in their own homes, depression causes marked changes in behavior and routine. Feelings of

hopelessness, lack of interest in once pleasurable activities, crying, listlessness, and not wanting to get dressed

can all be indications of a problem.

Once adult children decide that a parent needs assistance, the next step is determining what kind. The

following are a few options to consider:

1) Geriatric Care Managers – These highly trained professionals can assist in determining the appropriate type

of care. They are generally licensed nurses or social workers that specialize in geriatrics. To locate a care

manager contact the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

2) Emergency Response Devices – Almost 5,000 seniors die from falls in the home. Investing in a home

emergency response device can offer everyone peace of mind.

3) Non-Medical In-Home Care – Services range from companionship, light housekeeping, grocery shopping,

meal preparation, bill paying, and transportation to appointments. Assistance with bathing, dressing,

grooming, and toileting are also provided. Most are bonded and insured and perform multiple background

checks on caregivers.

4) Tax Credit Senior Apartment Communities – Unlike most publicly subsidized housing programs designed

to assist the elderly, the housing tax credit program does not provide tenants with governmental rent subsidies,

but rather provides for a more affordable monthly rental rate. The advertised term “affordable” is the term to

look for. Income restrictions apply.

5) Residential Care Assisted Living Homes – Offer a more home-like setting than nursing homes. They

typically provide meals, laundry, housekeeping, medication supervision, assistance with activities of daily

living (for most types) and an activity program. Other amenities such as transportation may also be offered in

some facilities.

reprinted from Liv Home

DIGNITY PAJAMAS : Disrupting the Adaptive Sleepwear Market

            

•  Adaptive clothing market will reach $349.9 billion in 2023[1]
• An estimated 39.8 million Americans are caring for an adult[2]
• Approximately 6 million older adults who need assistance dressing themselves in long term care settings[3]

Caregiving

Caregivers have a tough job! Caregiving is a complex situation in which eldercare professionals have made strides, however, most  caregiving efforts fall on family members who have little previous experience and/or limited knowledge of available resources. As a result of the growing aging population of the  Baby boomer generation, Dignity Pajamas and others have been inspired to address some of the the challenges caregivers face. This is fueling the growth of the adaptive clothing market.

Adaptive Clothing

Adaptive clothing is designed to address a variety of conditions and body types that are not well served by traditional “off-the-rack” clothing. As people age, they may become ill or bedridden, joints lose mobility, and closures that were once easy to fasten become impossible to manage. Other issues that commonly arise are incontinence, post-surgery needs or hospice, long term, memory and palliative care. As they become ill or disabled, the elderly or infirm may need 24/7 care and changing.  Hospital gowns and patient gowns are ugly and leave the wearer exposed. Adaptive design considers the challenges faced by both the wearer and the caregiver and utilizes strategically placed design features to make more user-friendly clothing. Adaptive clothing, sleepwear and rehab wear address innovative ways to clothe people with disabilities, medical conditions and that are experiencing the effects of aging.

Dignity Pajamas has specialized in sleepwear for the elderly or infirm who are in long term care, palliative, memory (dementia or Alzheimers) or hospice care.  Dignity Pajamas designs beautiful and comfortable pajamas for men and nightgowns for women with adaptive back Velcro closures, in upscale styling and fine details, making it easier for the caregiver to change them and preserving the dignity and appearance of the person being cared for.

For Further Information

  https://www.dignitypajamas.com/category-s/1513.htm

Franne -Dignity Pajamas: franne@dignitypajamas.com, www.dignitypajamas.com

 

[1] https://coresight.com/research/the-us-adaptive-clothing-and-footwear-market-represents-a-47-3-billion-largely-untapped-opportunity/  OR https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/adaptive-clothing-market-2294

[2] https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2015_CaregivingintheUS_Final-Report-June-4_WEB.pdf

[3]  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_03/sr03_43-508.pdf

The 4 Benefits of Hospice Nursing Home Pajamas

Hospice Nursing Home Pajamas: Show You Care

It is difficult to watch as your loved one, parents or grandparents get to the age where they need hospice care, but it is a fact of life that we must all face at one time or another. As our loved ones get older and more frail, doing simple things like changing into clean clothes can become a major challenge. Nurses and aides are there to help, but it is difficult for them as well to try to dress and undress a patient whose body just doesn’t want to move like it used to. When we see it happening, it breaks our hearts and we want more than anything to make their lives as easy as possible. That’s where hospice nursing home pajamas come in.

• Hospice nursing home pajamas are especially easy to put on and take back off, for the patient as well as the patient’s helpers. The men’s line is styled such that the top portion of the nightshirt looks just like a button-up, collared shirt. This is important, because our elders may be growing old but they deserve their dignity preserved as well.
• Wearing this, the patient will feel better about themselves, feel dressed and more hopeful for the day that lies ahead. The hospice nursing home pajamas nightshirts open from the back so that nurses can help them change into a clean one easily and quickly.
• Hospice nursing home pajamas also come in feminine styles for women. With pretty detail and delicate necklines, she will feel pretty and therefore feel better about herself and her surroundings.
• These also open at the back for easy on and off. With hospice nursing home pajamas, your loved one will feel a sense of relief instead of dread when it comes time to change their clothes. With hospice nursing home pajamas, you are showing them that you do care.

Hospice nursing home pajamas are more than just clothing. They are something simple that will make your loved one’s life so much easier and more enjoyable. When we look good, we feel good, and feeling hopeful during a hospice stay is vital to the patient’s wellness and healing.

Falls

When I reflect on the last couple of years with my Dad, I can’t help but remember the numerous times he had to go to the emergency room for stitches or staples because he lost his balance and fell…sound familiar?

Today, I am posting an article for you on falls by Visiting Angels. I hope you find it helpful.

Falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in America. Seventy-five percent of these falls occur in the older adult population. One third of the older adults who fall, sustain a hip  fracture and are hospitalized, die within a year. Falls not only affect the quality of life of the individual but also influence the caregiver and family. Health care costs for falls and rehabilitation average 70 billion dollars a year! Even if the fall does not result in hospitalization, fear of falling becomes a major factor. Fear leads to inactivity and loss of confidence. This, in turn produces a cycle of fear, loss of self-confidence, and inactivity, thereby decreasing the quality of life and increasing the risk of falls.

Dr. Roberta A. Newton, PhD Temple University College of Health Professions in Philadelphia, PA, USA has spearheaded the efforts for years studying and researching why falls occur and how they can be prevented. From the most overlooked areas of the home to making it easier to navigate through one’s home, Dr. Newton has been right on target indicating points of interest and vulnerability in every day life. Visiting Angels has partnered with Dr. Roberta A. Newton PhD to fully utilize all of the in depth research she and her team have compiled.

Our mission is to increase the public awareness and importance of this sometimes overlooked issue. Are you aware that these can often times be prevented? Visiting Angels can help show you how with a free in-home assessment. We also conduct free seminars across the country educating all interested individuals that want to make a difference in someone’s life.

Here are a few helpful tips:

Fear can lead to loss of self-confidence and inactivity. Fear is not only associated with falling down but also with getting up once having fallen. Dispel this fear by making their everyday living space easier to manage.
Are assistive devices a part of their every day life? Fear can lead to loss of self-confidence and inactivity. Fear is not only associated with falling down but also with getting up once having fallen.

Get all the information you need to help someone you love.

You can download their FREE Fall Prevention brochure by clicking here.