Fashionable Inclusion: How Design is Evolving for Memory Care

The worlds of fashion and inclusive design are merging in exciting ways, creating new possibilities for older adults experiencing cognitive changes. This week, we’re exploring two significant trends reshaping how we think about clothing for those living with memory-related conditions.

The Inclusive Design Revolution

Mainstream brands are increasingly embracing universal design principles that benefit everyone while being particularly helpful for those with limitations. This shift represents a move away from “special” products that can stigmatize users and instead toward thoughtful designs that work well for all.

Examples include clothing with magnets that make buttoning simple, color-coded items that simplify outfit selection, and garments with strategic stretch panels that accommodate changing body shapes. These features benefit everyone but are especially valuable for those living with memory or mobility changes.

Memory Care Fashion: Style Meets Specialized Needs

Simultaneously, innovative designers are creating clothing specifically for those with dementia including Alzheimer’s in specific that maintain style while addressing unique needs. These garments include:

• Back-opening designs that make assisted dressing more dignified
• Simplified closures that reduce frustration during self-dressing
• Sensory-friendly fabrics that minimize discomfort for those with heightened sensitivity
• Adaptive fashion that looks identical to traditional clothing but features hidden magnetic closures
• Pants with discreet access to assist with incontinence care 

The most successful memory-care fashion innovations prioritize the wearer’s personal style and preferences, understanding that maintaining identity is crucial for overall well-being.

The Joe & Bella Approach

At Joe & Bella, we believe these trends reflect our core philosophy: adaptive clothing should never require compromising on style or self-expression. Our clothes, created by top designers, incorporate elements from both movements – the universal appeal of inclusive design and the specialized functionality of memory-care innovations.

We’d Love to hear your thoughts! Have you noticed other trends in adaptive fashion? What features would make dressing easier for your loved one while maintaining their personal style?

Jimmy Zollo, Cofounder 

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.