Assisting individuals to dress

Dressing allows the client to maintain their individuality, self-image and self-esteem besides providing protection. It is an important vehicle for communicating one’s personality, values, beliefs and culture in society, as well as one’s gender. Nurses can assist clients in this activity by encouraging them to make choices and decisions about their personal dress and assisting them in this activity when they are unable to self-care.

Dressing best takes place following washing or bathing though clothes should always be changed when soiled, to promote the client’s dignity. Clothes worn during waking hours should not be worn for sleeping as one can lose up to one litre of sweat during the night and this can increase significantly in illness.

When dressing the client in clothing of their choosing bear in mind that the clothes should be in keeping with the environment, the general condition of the client and the time of day. Also consider their ease of removal and application and the need for access, for example intravenous cannulation, catheters and drains. The procedures and rationales for assisting clients to dress are given below.

Procedure	Rationale
Assist the client to select suitable clothes. This may be their own personal clothing or clothing from the clinical area’s supplies. NB If personal clothing is used great care should be taken to ensure that this does not find its way into the general laundering system	To include them in active decision–making and promote individuality
Ensure privacy	Dignity of client
Assist client to remove soiled clothing, outer garments first. If necessary assist in cleansing prior to redressing	To maintain hygiene
Have clothing available and ready to use. If client has limited mobility or limb injuries as identified during their mobility assessment (see Chapter 2), remove clothing from unaffected side first	Prevents unnecessary cooling of the client. Avoids injury
Be aware of wounds, drains and indwelling catheters when removing clothing and re-dressing client	To avoid discomfort and disturbance
Give the client time, and encourage them to perform as much of the activity as possible	To promote independence and self-care
Remove clothing in a systematic way, e.g. top to bottom, replacing with clean clothing as each item is removed. If personal clothing is removed ensure these are stored safely in client’s locker prior to laundering	Prevents unnecessary cooling
Choose clothing with easy fitting fastenings, e.g. Velcro fasteners, rather than buttons and/or loose sleeves if appropriate (if client has difficulty with traditional fastenings)	To promote independence and self-care
Give client access to mirror to check overall appearance	Confirm approval. Promote positive selfimage
Ensure client is left comfortable. Record any changed care needs in nursing record	To ensure continuity of care