Winter preparations for those who sleep in their daytime clothes: not choosing clothes that are too warm

As winter approaches, many people think, for a family member living in a care facility,

• It's getting cold, so I want to get some warm clothes ready

At Setagaya Kaigo too, we sometimes receive questions about winter pants, such as:

• At the facility they sleep in their daytime clothes, so I worry it might be too warm
• I'm worried about tightness at the waist

When choosing winter clothing, it is tempting to think "the warmer, the safer."

But when someone sleeps in the clothes they wore during the day, it can be better not to choose by warmth alone.

If they sleep in daytime clothes, think about the bedding too

At care facilities, depending on the person's physical condition and the facility's policy, some people spend the night in their daytime clothes.

In that case, for pants and tops, it is important to think not only about

"Is it comfortable during the day?" but also "Is it comfortable under the covers as it is?"

So we asked staff at the facilities we visit with our mobile sales.

They told us that when someone sleeps in daytime clothes, warm materials such as fleece lining can become too hot under the covers.

For that reason, at facilities with good air conditioning, people often choose pants of a year-round thickness.

Just because it is winter, there is no need to start with the warmest clothes.

Start with year-round materials and see how it goes; if the person seems cold, add a warmer type. That way of thinking matters too.

Everyone feels heat and cold differently

Of course, year-round materials do not suit everyone.

What we would like to check is:

• Whether the person usually tends to feel hot or cold
• How warm the room is
• What kind of bedding is used at night
• Whether they sleep in their daytime clothes
• Whether they tend to sweat while asleep

In real consultations too, we hear comments such as:

• They tend to feel hot, so I'm not sure fleece lining is really needed

In such cases, rather than choosing thick brushed material from the start, one option is to first try clothing of a year-round thickness.

Tightness at the waist is another concern

When someone sleeps in daytime clothes, it is not only warmth that matters, but also how the clothing rests against the body and how tight it feels.

With pants in particular, it is reassuring to check:

• Whether the waist elastic is too tight
• Whether the fabric is stiff
• Whether it feels cramped when lying down
• Whether it is unlikely to become a burden when worn for long hours

Something that is not noticeable during the day can become uncomfortable after lying down for a long time.

So for people who sleep in their daytime clothes, clothing that is soft, stretches well and is not tight can be easier to use.

Preparing for winter is not only about keeping warm

In winter, words like "fleece-lined," "thick" and "heat-retaining" naturally catch the eye.

Of course, warm clothing helps people who are feeling the cold.

But considering the facility's air conditioning and the bedding, being too warm can end up being a burden.

What matters is

not "warm clothes because it's winter," but choosing clothes that suit how the person actually spends their day.

How they spend the day. What they wear to bed. The room temperature. The bedding. And whether the person tends to feel hot or cold.

Checking these things one by one makes it easier to choose winter clothing that suits them.

When unsure, ask the facility staff too

If it is hard for the family to judge alone, we recommend asking the facility staff, who see the person every day.

For example:

• About what is the room temperature at night?
• What kind of pants do people who sleep in their daytime clothes wear?
• Is fleece lining ever too hot?
• Does the person seem hot or cold at night?

Checking things like these gives hints for choosing clothing.

A garment that suits the person's life

When choosing winter clothing, it is important to think not only about warmth, but about whether it suits how the person lives and how their body feels.

Even with pants we can recommend, year-round materials are sometimes easier to use, depending on how the person spends their time.

At Setagaya Kaigo, we value thinking about clothing together with you, including points like these.

• At the facility they sleep in their daytime clothes
• How warm should winter clothes be?
• I'm looking for pants that are not tight at the waist

If you are ever unsure about choosing clothing, please feel free to consult us at the store, by phone, on LINE or by email.

We will listen to the person's physical condition, how they usually spend their time and their living environment at the facility, and think together about clothing that suits them.