Nursing home care: What clothes should I pack for a nursing home?

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Wed, 19/08/2009 - 9:25pm

Most nursing home residents have to some degree problems with mobility, incontinence and memory loss. Choosing comfortable clothes that foster independence and ease of movement can make all the difference.

Choosing clothes for comfort

Before packing clothes for a nursing home check out the available cupboard space. It is usually very limited so it is important to pack essential items as well as a few favourites that are familiar and your loved one feels comfortable in.

Remember that clothes will be frequently washed. Nursing homes cater to large numbers of people so be prepared for clothes to go missing, turn up in another resident's wardrobe or shrink in industrial washing machines.

Some residents will require several changes of clothes a day so make sure you pack a sufficient number of each item of clothing. Avoid too many favourite items. You can keep these clothes at home and bring them in for special occasions. Woollen jumpers and delicate materials will inevitably end up in the wash.

For people with paralysed limbs try buying clothes a size too big and choose fabrics that stretch. Clothes with elastic waist bands can make getting dressed and getting to the toilet on time that much easier.

Try to choose natural fabrics that breathe well. Nylon in the summer can irritate the skin and be very unpleasant to wear for people confined to a wheelchair.

You may prefer to wash a family member's clothes at home. You will need to bring a sufficient size clothing bin that will fit in a small cupboard or small space so check the room for size first.

Nursing home staff work very quickly and will often miss a clothing bin. Place signs on cupboard doors and label the clothes bin with a highlighter. The nursing home should help you do this.

What clothes should I pack for a nursing home?

By packing the right type of clothes for a family member and carefully labelling all items you can hopefully avoid any mishaps.

Above all make sure you label all clothing before the move into a nursing home. Permanent markers or sew on labels work best. Iron on labels can go astray with continuous washing.

If a loved one is admitted without notice pack a few essential items and worry about the rest later.

The following clothing list is a good guide to start with:

Women

6 Dresses / skirts comfortable and machine washable
6 Loose fitting tops / shirts (elastic waists)
3 Pants
Attractive house dresses
2 Tracksuits
2 Cardigans
3 Jumpers
10 Changes of underwear (cotton)
6 Pairs of socks, knee high stockings
2 Pairs of shoes (flat non slip sole well fitted)
2 Pairs of slippers (choose fitted slippers that can be washed)
6 or more nighties or pyjamas (summer and winter)
2 Dressing gowns (summer and winter)
pant or shirts
3 Jumpers
4 Cardigans / sweater

Men

6 Trousers / shorts fitted around the waist or with elastic waist band
3 Tracksuits
6-8 Shirts cotton for summer / flannelette for winter
6 Singlets
6 or more nighties or pyjamas (winter and summer)
2 Dressing gowns (summer and winter)
10 Underpants or boxers
6 or more pairs of socks
4 Jumpers / sweater
2 Pairs shoes (Velcro straps can be easier)
2 Slippers fitted that can be washed

If a person is incontinent purchase a number of clothes that can be removed easily and washed frequently. Choose shoes that can be wiped clean and pack several pairs.

You can also buy specialised adaptive clothing designed for people with restricted movement who have difficulty dressing in standard clothing. Backless garments are also available for people who are frail and bedridden.