MC room necessities

Bass Man

DW will soon be in an MC facility. Most likely stage 6 lady, needs help dressing, currently sleeps in cloths. Need help on types of clothing, bras, pajamas and whatever else to stock in room . Thanks

ladyzetta

Just take what you think she will be comfortable in. When my DH was in MC I took sweat pants T shirts and Sweat Shirts. Things that were easy to take on and off. He had socks slippers. I supplied the depends. Just talk to the caregivers and ask them what they would like you to bring. Some facilities provide more than others as far as the soaps and shampoos, ect. My DH was in a small facility and all the residents were dressed for comfort. You don't want to take things that might turn up missing sometimes residents visit other rooms and take things back to their rooms. My DHs laundry was at times accidently mixed with other laundry so please don't allow yourself to get upset over things like this because it will happen. Be patient this will all work out. Hugs Zetta

King Boo

Sweatpants, a few button up shirts, sweatshirts.   Especially if she sleeps in her clothes.  Not uncommon.   It was a success for us when we could get the clothes changed twice a week.   

May not need many bras, but comfortable ones if you send them.  Frequently, this is dispensed with if she is sleeping in the same clothes. 

Sneakers, non slip sole slippers.  A sweater or fleece jacket.  A winter coat, a spring jacket.  button up PJ's if you think she will wear them.

If she has a favorite comfortable outfit, buy duplicates.  This can help with fixations on wearing the same clothes/showering.

Dove body wash,   all in one shampoo/conditioner, deoderannt, nail clippers, nail files.  

A favorite blanket/comforter.  A framed artwork for the wall from home.  

The less clutter, the better.

MN Chickadee

It's easy to think a person will need the same clothes at MC as at home or in their former life, but really they don't in the later stages.  I would send garments that are comfortable and easy to get on and off and easily washed/replaced as necessary. The staff are dealing with a lot, don't make life harder with complicated clothing. And the PWD is most likely only interested in comfort at that point. My LO now has a wardrobe of elastic waist pants (I had a coupon for a department store and ordered 7 pairs of the same sweatpants in a few different colors) and comfortable tops that can be layered. Cotton t-shirts both long and short sleeved depending on season, and a couple zip up fleeces. They do her laundry 2 times a week but between food spills and bathroom issues she goes through a lot of clothes, so she has 7 or 8 total outfits. These are all easy to launder and easy for toileting.  I sent only one type of socks so it would be easy to find a match.  You might send a pair of pajamas, they may have luck getting her changed at night. Same thing, with elastic waist pants and comfort in mind. My mom has a coat, winter boots, and gloves in her closet for when we take her on outings. Often the gloves have gone missing so I have learned to just bring an extra pair and then take them back for next time. She usually wears slippers around the facility but she has a pair of sneakers as well. Even though we sent bras they have been disregarded. Modesty is not the concern now, comfort is the only thing and my LO clearly does not care to wear one so they don't make her. If you think your wife needs/wants one, send what she has and see how it goes.  The staff will know what to do. We supply all the things my LO needs, such as Depends, toothpaste etc. The MC then does inventory a couple times a month and tells me what she is low on. Send the basics and anything you feel is still important to her.  The staff will tell you if they need anything else for her personal care. 

And don't forget things for her room she will enjoy. Many PWD at that stage like stuffed animals, bright colors, things a child might enjoy. Copies of family photos to mess with, cute things. 

Bass Man

All the best to you Zetta, thanks for your suggestions, I will follow them closely.

                                                   Bass man 

Rescue mom

Zetta covered it, and I agree comfort and easy to wear/change/wash are the important things with clothes. They don’t need much “variety” now.

I took some extra sheets and towels—the facility did provide some—just so they would be close and quickly on hand when “accidents” happened. And a couple soft fleecy blankets, the facility did provide some but you may want softer or smaller to wrap up in, in a chair.

At the same time, don’t take anything you would mind losing. It’s very easy to get laundry mixed up, other residents may “borrow” something, your LO might throw it away or leave it somewhere, etc. I got sheets and towels with some design, just to make them more different from the facility’s all solid white, linens.

We had to provide toiletries. If you do, make sure they are easiest to open, close and grip. Even if staff uses them on her, they are handling a lot at once.

Bass Man

Once again I want to thank Zetta, King Boo, Mn Chickadee. and Rescue Mom for all of the very helpful information I have been given from wonderful people that I have not known beforehand. This has been a heart warming feeling after so many months of feeling neglected by her once many friends, but I understand that having lost my older sister to this same malady before her 60th year, Thanks again, all of your responses will be used.

                                                          Bass Man 

Jane Smith

Label everything!  I use a combination of markers that can write on fabric, industrial Sharpie markers, labels made for clothing, and sticky labels on things like furniture and photos. 

Don’t take anything you can’t afford to lose, whether monetary or sentimental value. Jewelry, the only copy of a photo, et cetera. 

Take less than you think you need, and ask the staff at regular intervals if she needs anything. The less clutter the better. 

Label any family photos, maybe with the relationship as well as the person. This is as much for the staff as your wife and can help the staff get to know her and engage with her. 

Nightgowns are easier for my relatives now.  Lands End makes some very soft cotton ones that stand up well to the industrial washers and dryers, short length, long length, short sleeves, long sleeves, very loose fitting and comfy. 

Rather than a bra (unless she would be uncomfortable without one), maybe some type of a camisole top with a shelf bra, as that can be much easier to get on and off?

My top tip for socks, if she wears them, is a whole lot of the exact same socks, so it doesn’t matter if any get lost. Like, fifteen pairs of all the same kind, size, and color. And socks are the only thing I don’t label-I just buy another bag of ten or twenty when they run low!

I recommend avoiding pants with a waistband that has zippers, snaps, buttons, or any fasteners. Just elastic waist pants. I’d avoid denim and make sure it’s soft and comfortable with some give to it, but not too tight. 

Ask the facility if you need to bring toiletries. They also usually don’t allow throw rugs or anything similar that is a tripping hazard, but should have a list for you. 

My mother likes layers for when she is cold, so loose fitting cardigan or other sweaters that go on over her other tops easily. And also throw blankets.  Fleece is nice because it’s warm but lightweight and again, holds up to the industrial laundry machines. Definitely not great-grandmother’s heirloom quilts!

Wishing you all the best.

ladyzetta

Bass Man,

We are here for you. We have a lot answers to your questions and we have a lot of  ears if you ever feel like venting. A lot of us here have been on the same journey you are traveling. You will never feel neglected here.  Hugs Zetta