Care clothing that considers "life ahead": reviewing clothes as the body changes

"Which clothes should I choose?"

Almost every day, we are asked:

• What clothes would suit my mother?

We hear this question often.

When we do, we never recommend clothing by looking at the clothes alone.

What we ask first is:

"What kind of days would you like to have from now on?"

That's our first question.

• I want to change by myself.
• I want to go out with my family.
• I want to go to day service.

We suggest clothing while listening to hopes like these.

For example, we ask things like this

• Do you change your clothes by yourself?
• Do you receive help?
• Will you be moving into a facility?
• Will you continue rehabilitation?
• Will a tumble dryer be used?

At first glance, some questions may seem unrelated to clothes.

But in fact, every one of them matters a great deal when choosing clothing.

There's no need to get everything from the start

Care can begin suddenly because of illness or injury.

At such times, many people feel anxious, thinking:

• I have to get all the clothes we'll need from now on.

This is very common.

But with care clothing, there's no need to get everything from the start.

First, it's important to choose the minimum clothing that suits the person's current physical condition.

As the body changes, so does the clothing

For example, at first, when the person spends a lot of time in bed and needs help changing, front-opening clothes and clothes that are easy to help with can be useful.

Later, as they spend more time in a wheelchair, clothes that are comfortable in a seated position can be useful.

And if they become able to change by themselves, the range of clothes they can choose widens.

Care clothing is something you review to suit the person's physical condition at each stage.

Why we don't decide based on "now" alone

For example, even if help is needed today, as rehabilitation progresses, the person may be able to do more by themselves.

Through rehabilitation, changes such as:

• Being able to fasten buttons
• Being able to transfer to a wheelchair
• Being able to use the toilet

may come. When they do, reviewing the clothing to suit that time can make daily life easier.

If such progress is expected, we sometimes suggest clothing with life a few months ahead in mind, not just now.

There's no need to buy for the future right away

When care has just begun, it's common to worry:

• Will this be all right?
• What if I have to buy it all again later?

These worries are natural.

At such times, it's fine to start with what's needed now.

Of course, you'll want the clothing you need ready. But as the body changes, the clothing needed may change too.

So we recommend getting what's needed now first, then reviewing little by little as needed.

Keeping "what the person can do" matters too

In care, being easy to help with is of course important.

But we believe that the person being able to keep doing what they can is just as important.

For example, for someone who can fasten buttons, clothing that makes use of that ability. For someone who can change even a little by themselves, clothing that lets them value that time.

We keep these things in mind when making suggestions.

Feelings matter in choosing clothes too

Clothing isn't only for protecting the body.

• I want to wear my favourite colours.
• I want to enjoy dressing up.
• I want to go out with my family.

Feelings like these are very important in daily life too.

That's why we value not only ease of wearing but also being able to spend days in one's own way.

Because everyone is different, tell us how things are now

Even for the same height and weight, it's not unusual for the clothing we recommend to differ.

When choosing care clothing, "what kind of life are you living now?" matters. For example:

• Spending much of the time in bed
• Using a wheelchair
• Changing with help
• In rehabilitation

Knowing the person's current physical condition like this makes choosing easier.

• I don't know which to choose.
• What clothing suits them now?
• What should I prepare next?

At times like these, please feel free to ask us. We'll make suggestions while thinking together with you about not just the person's present but their life ahead.

Summary

Care clothing isn't finished once chosen. As the person's physical condition and life change, the clothing needed may change too.

It's important to first choose clothing that suits the body now, and to review it as things change.

We believe choosing clothing is not about choosing "clothes they can wear", but "clothes that let them live in their own way".