About this resource
Dressing independently supports dignity and confidence. This guide covers sitting to dress, choosing easier clothing, laying clothes out in order, dressing aids, strategies for one-sided weakness and saving energy. A planning table records the strategies that work for the person.
Purpose
To offer practical strategies that support independence and dignity in dressing.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Occupational therapists. Also relevant for disability support workers.
Client or participant group: Adults and young people with physical, sensory or cognitive changes, and their supporters.
Practice setting: Home, supported living and rehabilitation, with occupational therapy input.
Suggested uses
- Following an OT assessment
- Rehabilitation goals
- Training support workers
- Planning morning routines
Instructions for practitioners
- Observe dressing before suggesting strategies.
- Choose strategies with the person.
- Respect the person's clothing preferences and identity.
- Recommend specific aids through individual assessment.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Choose strategies to try.
- Practise them for a week.
- Tell your OT what helped.
Accessibility considerations
Large print. Can be paired with a visual sequence of the person's own clothes.
Scope and limitations
General information. Specific strategies and aids need individual occupational therapy assessment.
Research basis
Occupational therapy models describe how the person, their environment and their activities interact, and how a balance of meaningful activity supports health and participation.
- Law, M., Cooper, B., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A Transactive Approach to Occupational Performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(1), 9–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749606300103
- Wagman, P., Håkansson, C., & Björklund, A. (2012). Occupational balance as used in occupational therapy: A concept analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 19(4), 322–327. https://doi.org/10.3109/11038128.2011.596219
- World Health Organization. (2001). International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF). WHO. https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/international-classification-of-functioning-disability-and-health
What is included
A 3-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
