Clothing for Grandma: Embracing Style and Ease

Hey there, fashion-forward friends! We’re here to talk about a topic that’s both stylish and close to our hearts: clothing for grandma. We understand that our beloved grandmothers may face new age-related difficulties when it comes to dressing themselves. Health or physical conditions such as arthritis, limited mobility, or other ailments can make the simple act of putting on clothes a daunting task. That’s where we come in. At Joe & Bella, we believe that every grandma deserves clothing that not only looks fabulous but also takes into account her specific needs. Let us introduce you to the wonderful world of adaptive clothing, where style, comfort, and functionality come together to make dressing a breeze for our cherished grandmothers. Help her say goodbye to all those long, painful, and stressful dressing moments. Let’s dive in!

Why Adaptive Clothing for Grandma Matters

When it comes to fashion, everyone deserves to feel their best, regardless of age or ability. Adaptive clothing is a game-changer – specifically designed to address the unique needs that many older adults face in dressing themselves. But what exactly is adaptive clothing?

Defining Adaptive Clothing: Fashion that Adapts to Individual Needs

Adaptive clothing refers to garments that have been thoughtfully designed to meet the specific needs of individuals with limited mobility, dexterity, or other physical or cognitive limitations. These garments feature innovative closures and modifications that make dressing easier and more comfortable. For example, some adaptive clothing features magnets or zippers instead of buttons. Some options include extra openings to access medical or incontinence products. Special fabric might be used to provide improved ease of movement or to accommodate those with skin sensitivities.

For older adults, it’s important to not only think of how clothing can better function to improve dressing, but it’s also critical for them to love how they look. Just like everybody, older adults want to maintain their personal style and won’t wear adaptive clothes that don’t fit it. 

Take it from me – when I first bought my grandmother adaptive clothing to help reduce her pain and Stress, she wouldn’t wear any of it. The clothes just didn’t look like her. And she actually opted for the painful and stressful twice-daily dressing events instead of wearing the adaptive clothes I purchased that she thought were “ugly.” That’s the big reason why I started Joe & Bella in the first place: to make adaptive clothing for my grandma that she would love to wear. 

Use Cases: How Adaptive Clothing for Grandma Will Enhance Her Everyday Life



Let’s explore a few use cases to understand how adaptive clothing can significantly improve the daily lives of seniors and their caregivers:

1. Independent Dressers: If your grandma dresses herself independently, adaptive clothing can provide a sense of empowerment and convenience. Imagine Grandma, who lives with pain due to her arthritis, effortlessly fastening her blouse with the help of hidden magnetic closures. These discreet closures eliminate the need for fine motor skills, ensuring that she can effortlessly dress herself while maintaining her sense of style and dignity.

2. Assisted Dressers: Many older adults require assistance with dressing due to limited mobility or other health conditions. Adaptive clothing can make this process smoother and more efficient for both the senior and their caregiver. For example, imagine a caregiver helping Grandma put on adaptive pants with an elastic waistband. The elastic waistband eliminates the need for complex buttons or zippers, allowing the caregiver to easily assist Grandma while ensuring her comfort and independence. Or imagine a shirt that opens up in the back, like a hospital gown, allowing grandma to easily put her arms in without having to raise them over her head.

3. Sensory Sensitivities: Some older adults may have sensory sensitivities or conditions such as dementia that affect their clothing preferences. Adaptive clothing offers solutions to address these unique needs. Soft, non-irritating fabrics, tagless designs, and seamless construction provide comfort and reduce sensory triggers. These design features allow seniors to enjoy clothing that feels good on their skin, minimizing discomfort and agitation.
4. Efficiency in Care Communities: Adaptive clothing also plays a crucial role in care communities, where multiple individuals require dressing assistance. Garments with adaptive features such as magnetic closures and easy-access openings can significantly reduce the time and effort required for caregivers to dress each individual. Smartly designed adaptive clothing gives caregivers the time back to provide more personalized care and attention to residents, promoting their well-being and comfort.


By understanding these use cases, it becomes clear that adaptive clothing is not only about convenience but also about promoting independence, dignity, and overall well-being for seniors.

Style Meets Comfort: The Joe & Bella Collection

At Joe & Bella, we believe that style and comfort should never be compromised. Our collection of adaptive clothing for your grandmother combines classic designs with modern fabrics and fits, ensuring that Grandma looks and feels her best. Let’s explore the different elements of our collection:

Adaptive Tops: Effortless Elegance

Our adaptive tops are designed with Grandma’s comfort in mind, without compromising on style. We understand that traditional buttons and closures can be difficult to manipulate for some individuals. That’s why we’ve incorporated hidden magnetic closures into our button-up tops. With just a gentle touch, a caregiver or helper can help Grandma effortlessly fasten her shirt, achieving a polished and put-together look. The magnetic closures are discreet and seamlessly integrated, giving her the freedom to dress independently and with ease. 

Adaptive Bottoms: Fashionable & Functional

Who says comfortable pants can’t be fashionable or convenient? Joe & Bella’s adaptive bottoms offer a perfect blend of fashion and function. We understand that traditional pants and skirts with complicated closures can be frustrating for Grandma. That’s why we’ve designed adaptive pants with elastic waistbands for an easy pull-on experience. Our Everyday Pants feature simple side zippers that open the pants up from the waist to the knees, making pulling them on and off so much easier than traditional clothing. If your grandma uses a wheelchair or incontinence products, CareZips® is a wonderful solution thanks to its patented inseam zipper that provides easy and full access. And if Grandma is looking for a stylish pair of pants for a night on the town, our Freedom Chinos, with hidden zippers that open the pants from the waist to the knees, will provide her an elevated look perfect for special occasions. Equipped with hidden pull-up handles, these pants will be so easy for her to use, she might want to wear them all the time!

Independence & Confidence: Empowering Grandma

When Grandma feels good in her clothes, it radiates through her entire being. Adaptive clothing not only offers convenience and comfort but also empowers Grandma to maintain her independence. By choosing Joe & Bella’s adaptive clothing, you’re giving her the gift of confidence, enabling her to embrace each day with enthusiasm and joy. Our thoughtfully designed garments allow her to dress herself effortlessly, promoting a sense of self-reliance and preserving her dignity. With adaptive clothing, Grandma can confidently express her personal style while enjoying the comfort she deserves.

Now that you’re well-versed in the world of adaptive clothing, it’s time to help Grandma dress with style and ease. At Joe & Bella, we understand the importance of clothing that fits, functions, and feels fabulous. Our collection of adaptive tops and bottoms combines fashion-forward designs with innovative closures, allowing Grandma to dress independently or with assistance effortlessly. Join us in embracing the world of adaptive clothing and make dressing a joyful and effortless experience for Grandma and all our loved ones. Together, let’s celebrate the beauty of fashion that adapts to individual needs and brings joy and comfort to the ones we cherish.

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.