Grooming: Dressing and undressing

Changing clothes promotes comfort, hygiene, and well-being. Clients usually change clothes when they wake up in the morning and before they go to sleep at night. Τhey also change clothes for bathing as well as when the clothes get wet or dirty.

Now, most people are able to dress and undress on their own, but as a nursing assistant, you will come across clients that will require your assistance, such as those that are recovering from a surgery, are weak due to an illness or advanced age, or have a disability on an arm or leg due to a neurological disease, such as a stroke.

Some clients will only need minimal assistance, like securing a zipper or selecting clothes, while others will require your assistance for the entire procedure of dressing and undressing. Allow the client to dress themselves to the fullest possible extent.

Now, a client’s clothes can vary depending on the type of the facility. In hospitals, people usually wear gowns, while in long-term facilities they often wear their own clothes during the day and sleepwear, such as nightgowns or pajamas, during the night.

Keep in mind that it’s very important to allow the client to choose their own clothes whenever possible. If they’re not able to decide their own clothes, make sure to choose clothes that are comfortable and appropriate for the client’s activities and the environment.

Also, for clients who have a weakness or disability, be sure to choose clothes that are easy to put on and take off.

In addition, there are assistive devices, such as hook and loop straps or fasteners instead of buttons, that can make changing clothes much easier.

Now, before we talk about assisting a client with dressing and undressing, here are some general considerations.

Before beginning the procedure, find out from the nurse the plan of care, how much help the client usually needs, and if the client has any issues that require extra care, such as a cast, splint, wound, or weakness.

At all times, respect the client’s privacy and modesty by remembering to close the room’s door, shutting all window covers, and ensuring the client is properly covered.

Some clients may also find it comforting to have someone of their own sex present in the room. Also, make sure the ambient temperature is comfortable for them when they’re undressed.

Encourage the clients to participate as much as possible and don’t rush the procedure. Another important tip when assisting certain clients, like those wearing a cast or those with weakness, is to undress starting with the strong, or unaffected, side. In contrast, when helping the client dress, make sure to start with the weak, or affected, side.