Many times when you or someone you know feels under the weather and dealing with health issues all you want to do is be comfortable. How can one feel most comfortable when their world is turned upside down?  The type of clothing you wearcan help during this difficult time.  Sometimes those with brain injuries and other related disorders have a difficult time making decisions.  This may help resolve some otherwise easy decisions.

Nightwear

A couple pair of pajamas or  lounge wear works well daily.  Make sure they have pockets.  Many of these are more attractive and comfortable sporting good clothing items and essentially worn for multi-purpose casual living.  Shop the end-of-season clearance racks or sales for the best values.  Use your gift cards for clearance and sale items.  Spend money wisely. Have a friend or family member add a pocket, velcro closure or whatever helps in daily living.

Night-time materials are less restrictive, softer and overall more comfortable.  This can be essential for anyone who has altered sensation of pain, sensitive skin, or simply easily irritated by uncomfortable clothing.  Irritability is increased when clothing is not comfortable.  Go for comfort and lessen the irritability factor!  

When you find shirts or pants that work well for you get a couple in different colors.  Use them interchangeably.  

***Don’t expect your loved one to dress as you think they should dress.  Let them be comfortable.  Help them with selection of clothing.  Give only two choices.  They want your help.  Too many choices adds to confusion.

Nightwear List

• Nightgowns (look like sundresses).  Add a pocket.
• Pajamas with pockets
• Lounge pants with pockets
• Loose tops or shirts

Outdoor Attire for Cold Weather Climate

Always keep your head warm and dry in the winter.  You lose a great deal of heat from the head.

Darling Dawn Hand knitted anything & designs by Dawn

Also cold frequently increases muscle spasms and can cause headaches. Wear anything that will keep your ears, head and neck warm.

If you have difficulty with neck spasms and headaches try wearing a warm scarf with pockets indoors.  The pockets serve to carry around any electronic device such as your cell phone or a pen and index cards for notes.  Write down immediately when you recall things to do, to get, or any other important thought.  Don’t wait till later to write things down…you may not recall important thoughts.

A warm scarf can be of lightweight fleece with pockets at both ends, or a hand knitted scarf with pockets works well.  This is an excellent idea for volunteer groups that want to make handmade items and donate them.

Outerwear must be lightweight.  Lightweight outerwear may be bit more expensive, but in the long run well worth it. The weight of the clothing increases the amount of energy one expends.  Keep everything lightweight.

If it doesn’t have a reflective strip on the sleeves or back, consider putting it on your jackets.  A bright colored jacket is easier to spot, so I’d suggest getting an unusual color instead of black or dark colors for everyday wear.

A brightly colored jacket helps one find it when misplaced.  Friends and family can easily spot you if you have wandered in the wrong direction.

A removable hood for a jacket helps shield the neck and head from cold, wind, rain, and snow.  It’s easy enough to remove and put away in the good weather if you don’t like hoods or hats. You don’t know when the weather might change while you are out and you will always be prepared with a hooded jacket.

Umbrella’s are not realistic for those who deal with numerous medical conditions.  Using an umbrella can be unsafe.  It throws off a person’s balance.  One may not have the strength to hold onto it, and it can be a safety hazard for anyone around.  Besides…I understand they simply are not COOL!

Have you ever tried to walk next to someone holding the umbrella over your head and they are 6” shorter than you?  It simply does not work.  Leave the umbrellas at home, collecting dust in the corner unless you are using it alone and have no health issues.

If you live in a climate that need gloves by the clasps that connect to the end of your coat or jacket sleeve.  These clasps you buy for young children’s coats and gloves.  It’s better to have a pair of gloves, then just one or none!

Keep your hands-fingers warm!

Have you wondered how useful those gloves are without the fingers? Combination glove-mittens are warm and useful.  If you need to write a check, dial a telephone, pick up text messages, or many other reasons to use fingerless gloves you should consider these.

When not using your fingers you pull over the mitten part and your fingers are warm instantly without removing and putting back on gloves.  Besides, you can’t loose them if they remain on your hands.

Outerwear Clothing List

• Lightweight outerwear
• Bright colors
• Reflective strips
• Scarfs with pockets
• Earmuffs-Warm knit hat
• Gloves-mittens
• Warm shoes or boots with good tread

Shoes and boots

When the feet are cold the body just never seems to get warm.  Make sure during the cold weather a comfortable and warm pair of socks.  During the warm weather, remove socks…helps cool the body quickly!  In the cold, wear socks…keep the feet warm.  You can’t fall asleep with cold feet…so put the socks on and keep warm!

Shoes.  Velcro straps on tennis shoes if you have difficulty tying shoelaces.  Slip-on clogs can work if that is a style you can wear without falling.

Waterproof sandels worn around the house, at the pool area, in the yard or garden.  These can usually be thrown in the washer with towels and cleaned easily.

Flat shoes with non-skid, treaded soles.  Shoes for comfort and safety.  No one feels good about falling.  Eliminate any potential risk of falling. Summer shoes consider anything you can wear without socks such as sandels,

Summer shoes

• Sandels for summer (no socks needed)
• Tennis shoes and socks for most places.

Winter shoes

• Wear warm shoes or boots that have good tread to prevent slipping and falling.  These should also keep your feet warm.

***In ALL seasons wear GOOD tread soles on shoes.  Prevent slip and falls!

Easy Hair Styles

How one wears their hair is a personal preference.  If you are helping another remain independent the less one needs to fuss with hair the better.  The most natural look always works.  Perms can work for very short hair if you like the curly look otherwise straight is always in style and can be altered with a little gel to add fullness.

Longer hair may tangle easily and perms can cause excessive tangles and more work and energy.  If you opt to have a perm use plenty of conditioner to make the hair manageable.

How to wear the hair

• Hair clipped or pulled back
• Hair in pony tail
• Hair in bun
• Hair french-braided, braided.
• Hair short

Whatever you choose to wear or how you fix your hair or how you get dressed can make your life much easier.  Start the day out right and dress for comfort.  Change your clothing when soiled.  Ask someone to help with choices if this is a difficult task for you to do.  Ask for input from others.

A successful day depends on how you feel.  If you feel good in what you are wearing it will help you focus on the necessary things in life.

Part 1 offers indoor attire options and alternatives.  Part 2 includes nightwear, shoes, outerwear, and simple hair styles.  Remember no matter what you choose to wear keep it comfortable, creative, simple and safe (CCSS).