Hi, we have been told my Dad has probably got dementia, he is having his mental test this week. What I would like to know if anyone knows of a company that sells clothing designed for people suffering with dementia i.e ease of use, velcro, poppers etc before I get my sewing kit out and adapting it myself! I have looked at a couple of sites awear, desinedtocare and independentliving, all of which may be of help to some "disabilities" but not what I think my Dad needs. He is able to wash and dress himself independently, I was just trying to find something to make this easier.

Hi Alison.

Just seen your message.
This is quite a tricky one. You indicate that your father can still manage himself independantly at this stage. I would suggest that, for now, if he is doing that it would be better if he was able to carry on doing things that were a familiar habit to him as it is possible that changing things at this stage could cause him to become confused. May be if you asked the doctor or nurse at the Memory Clinic who will be treating him they would be better placed to give such advice.

Eventually I bought my husband slip on shoes, good quality jogging type pants and sweaters. He always wore proper shirts, though, as I knew that they are what he prefered and I wanted him to retain his personnal dignity.

If he is, as you suggest, still in the early stages of his illness then there will be time to do things gradually. There could be an arguement for changing things now while he is still fully aware of what is going on, but I think you would be better off getting advice from the people who are monitering him. Good luck and best wishes.

Jill.