- They can get to the toilet by themselves, but pulling up their trousers looks hard
- Holding a handrail for support leaves only one hand for pulling up trousers
- They have hemiplegia and pull their trousers up and down with one hand. Are there any tips?
Do you have worries like these?
Setagaya Kaigo also receives questions like these about choosing trousers for older family members.
This time, we introduce ideas for pulling trousers up and down with one hand while using a handrail, drawing on the knowledge of Setagaya Kaigo's occupational therapist.
Handling trousers with one hand is hard to begin with
Pulling up trousers in the toilet involves several movements:
- Keeping a standing posture
- Gripping the trousers
- Pulling them up to the waist
- Adjusting the sides and back
These all need to happen.
Especially when the person needs to hold a handrail to stay upright, only the other hand is free to pull trousers up and down.
Pulling trousers up to the waist in that state is not an easy movement.
So let's think about ways to reduce the burden from three angles: how the body is used, the surroundings such as handrails, and clothing.
Tip ①: Pull the trousers up to the knees before standing
One idea is to pull the trousers up as far as the knees while still sitting, before standing up.
If the person stands with the trousers down at their feet and tries to pull them up to the waist with one hand, the distance to move is that much longer.
Pulling them up as far as possible while seated reduces the movement needed after standing.
Rather than "pulling everything up after standing", the idea is to do whatever can be done while still seated.
Tip ②: Rethink how the vertical handrail is used
Depending on the person's condition, leaning the body against a vertical handrail for support may free both hands for the trousers.
And if there are handrails on both sides, another possible method is:
- Pull up the trousers while holding one handrail
- Switch hands
- Pull up the other side of the trousers
This may also work.
However, which method is safe depends on muscle strength, the degree of paralysis, balance, the size of the toilet and where the handrails are.
Rather than aiming to do it alone at all costs, what matters most is finding a way that can be done safely.
As needed, please also consult the physical or occupational therapist in charge, the care manager or others.
Rethinking the trousers themselves is another option
Not only movements and the toilet environment, but the trousers worn every day can also make pulling them up and down harder. For example, trousers whose:
- Fabric doesn't stretch much
- Catch easily on the bottom or thighs
- Elastic waist is tight
- Size leaves no room
can make pulling up with one hand even harder. On the other hand, trousers that are:
- Stretchy
- Unlikely to catch around the bottom
- Fully elasticated at the waist
- Well-fitting with moderate room
may reduce the burden of pulling them up and down.
Stretchy trousers we recommend that are easy to pull up and down
"Oshiri Surutto" trousers are another option
At Setagaya Kaigo, we sometimes suggest "Oshiri Surutto" (slips easily over the bottom) trousers to people who have trouble pulling trousers up and down.
They are designed so that they don't catch on the bottom, to make pulling trousers up and down in the toilet even a little easier.
Trousers we recommend that don't catch on the bottom
However, the same trousers don't suit everyone.
Depending on the person's condition, usual movements and whether they receive help, other very stretchy trousers or roomier trousers may suit them better.
Rather than "these trousers because they're for care", it's important to choose by thinking about how the person lives.
Think about clothing, movement and surroundings together
When it's hard to pull trousers up with one hand, people tend to think:
- I need to find trousers that are easier to pull up
Of course, changing clothing can make things easier.
At the same time, combining several approaches, such as:
- Finding better ways to use the body
- Adjusting the surroundings, such as handrails
- Choosing clothing that's easy to pull up and down
can also reduce the burden.
And when leg or hand strength, or the ability to keep a standing posture, has declined, changing clothing or surroundings alone may not be enough.
Let's look for a reasonable way while valuing the person's wish to keep doing what they've always been able to do themselves.
Please ask us about "what trousers would be good" too
At Setagaya Kaigo, we take questions about clothing for older people and people who need care.
- They pull their trousers up and down with one hand
- Their trousers catch on their bottom
- They spend their days in a wheelchair
- They're moving into a facility and I don't know what trousers to prepare
- I'm looking for dryer-safe clothing
If you have any concerns like these, please feel free to ask us.
We ask not only about height and weight but also about how the person usually changes and how they move in the toilet, and think together with you about clothing that suits their life.
For things clothing alone can't answer, we also draw on the knowledge of professionals such as physical and occupational therapists.
Even if you wonder "is it okay to ask a clothing shop about this?", that's fine. If anything about clothing troubles you in daily life, please feel free to ask Setagaya Kaigo.
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