Adaptive pants are a game-changer for older adults who live with changes related to mobility and independence. Whether you are looking for solutions to make dressing easier for yourself, or you are a family member or caregiver searching for ways to help an older adult maintain dignity and independence, adaptive pants are a must-have.

Here are six reasons why:

1. Adaptive pants make dressing easier and safer.

Traditional pants can be difficult to put on and take off. This is especially true for seniors living with a mobility disability. Adaptive pants, on the other hand, are designed with special features to make dressing easier and safer. These features might include side-zip or front-zip closures, elastic waistbands, and magnets. These features make it easier for older adults to get their pants on and off without the need for uncomfortable stretching or contorting. Adaptive pants can help reduce the risk of falls or other injuries that may occur while getting dressed. They can also help reduce bathroom accidents, while improving the process of changing adult briefs, catheters, and other medical devices.

2. Adaptive pants are functional and versatile.

Adaptive pants are designed with practicality and functionality in mind. So they are perfect for older adults who may have different needs when it comes to clothing. For example, some adaptive pants come with special pockets to hold medical devices, like insulin pumps or oxygen tanks. Others are designed to be worn over incontinence briefs or pads or make recovering from surgery easier. 

3. Adaptive pants can extend independence.

Some older adults’ inability to put on traditional clothing will result in their need for caregiver assistance. Whether the caregiver is a family member or a paid professional, getting help dressing impacts an individual’s independence and sense of dignity. For some, adaptive clothing can eliminate the need for assistance when dressing. And depending on the situation, this one “tool” can allow older adults to remain in their home longer. What’s more, adaptive pants can empower seniors to go out and about. Adaptive pants can greatly ease the process of using the toilet or changing briefs away from home. Adaptive pants are often designed with adjustable hems. This ensures that the pants aren’t too long and create a fall risk.

4. Adaptive pants are more comfortable.

Many seniors struggle with discomfort when it comes to clothing, because of chronic pain or other physical conditions. Adaptive pants are designed with comfort in mind. With features like elastic waistbands and soft, breathable fabrics, adaptive pants help older adults stay comfortable all day long.

5. Adaptive pants can make using the bathroom a lot easier.

For many, having pants that are easy to pull up and down eases the bathroom experience. Whether using your bathroom at home or a tight stall out in public, adaptive pants can ease access with just a couple of zipper pulls. For those who have sudden urges at night, the ability to quickly prepare for the bathroom can reduce the chance of accidents. And for those who wear incontinence products, adaptive pants help make replacing them, whether at home or on the go, so much easier. 

6. Adaptive pants can be stylish and fashionable.

Just because adaptive pants are functional and practical doesn’t mean they have to be frumpy or unfashionable. Joe & Bella prides itself on offering a wide range of styles and colors, so older adults can find pants that fit not only their bodies well, but also their personal style and taste.

Nobody wants to think that they’re ready for adaptive pants, just as nobody wants to be stigmatized for what they wear or how old they are. Joe & Bella is creating fashionable adaptive clothing that everybody can wear. That’s why they’ve brought in designers from Lululemon, Figs, Public Rec, and other fine apparel brands to create their line of fashion-forward adaptive wear. 

Originally Published on https://joeandbella.com/blogs/news

Ben Graham Joe & Bella VP of Marketing

Ben Graham is the Vice President of Marketing at Joe & Bella, an adaptive-apparel company for older adults that focuses on creating innovative and fashionable apparel. Joe & Bella was recently awarded the “Most Innovative Older Adult Clothing Brand: 2022” by Global Health and “2022 Best New Apparel Brand” by Boomer Venture Summit. Joe & Bella’s first adaptive clothing line, CareZips, won the 2022 "Best New Product”award by Today’s Caregiver Magazine and Caregiver.com. Ben was previously Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at Collaborata, an innovative marketing-research firm that brought corporate partners together to find solutions to business problems. Collaborata focuses on topics including caregiving, aging, diversity, and equity with clients such as AARP, Procter & Gamble, Bank of America, Target, and Nike. Ben spent many years, together with his family, providing care for his two grandparents who lived for nearly a decade in assisted living and memory care.