Strategies for Dressing a Stroke Patient

Enthused RN, BSN, RN · May 9, 2012

Normally I put the arms in first and then have them pull their head through for shirts. As for pants, maybe you can have them roll to one side in bed while you pull up that side; then roll to the other side and pull that other side up. Bigger patients are always a little more difficult.

RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN · May 9, 2012

If she's too big for you to lift by yourself, can you ask for help? I work at a no-lift facility and we get written up if we try to do something on our own instead of getting a 2nd person and/or using one of the lifts.

northernguy · May 9, 2012

Are you getting the patient dressed in bed? If the patient can ambulate, or at least stand, I find it easier to get them on a commode or toilet, then get them dressed there. Put the pants up over the legs while they sit, then pull them up when they stand. Of course this can be difficult if the person needs two people to help them stand, unless you have a device that helps them stand like an EZ stand, then its simple(the stroke might rule that out if they cant use one hand at all).

If they cant stand, then rolling side to side while you pull one half of the pants up to their waist is about all you can do. You may have to roll them back and forth a few times while you work each side up if the pants are tight fitting. It helps to have loose clothing, but you got to work with what you got. For the shirt Im not sure how you are attemping to do it, or even if they are lying in bed or sitting up. If they are in bed, I would sit them up and pull the shirt down that way.

Wait til you have to get people dressed whose arms are so stiff and constricted they are like mummies, and they have extremely limited range of motion and tight fitting non stretchable clothing the family insists they wear. Then its like getting someone in and out of a straight jacket. You almost have to be Houdini to get some of these people dressed and undressed.

maggie1990 · May 9, 2012

Christi M: I use a 2 person assist when i get her out of bed into her wheelchair. She can pivot herself which helps a lot. But I don't need a 2 person assist or to lift her while I'm doing her AM care.

maggie1990 · May 9, 2012

NorthnGuy: I've had a patient with Parkinson's but luckily she had dresses! She can't really ambulate outside of her wheelchair so the commode is unfortunately not an option and getting help in the facility isn't easy, as all of my fellow classmates are doing AM care for their patients. Just thought maybe someone would have a strategy for ways to put the clothes on-like put right arm in first or something along those lines. I think it's just her size and the fact that her clothes are a bit too small.

JDZ344 · May 9, 2012

I usually put the affected arm in, then over the head and then the unaffected arm. If you are then able to sit the patient forward (may need help), then pull the top straight. If not, you can roll the patient side to side to adjust the shirt.

Trousers: You may need to roll the patient from side to side to pull them up and make sure they are not bunched.

maggie1990 · May 10, 2012

katieP86: thank you so much! definately will try that! we usually put her head in first.

mindyfromcali · May 10, 2012

In CNA school they teach us weak limb first, then the other for dressing. Opposite for undressing. Like the others have said I wouldn't recommend going head first.

loriangel14, RN · May 11, 2012

If you are getting a second person to help you transfer into the chair then use that opportunity to hike her pants up all the way.Support her with one arm and use the other hand to pull up your side of the pants and have the other person do the same.If her shirt needs fixing/straightening it can be easier after she is up in the chair.

maggie1990 · May 12, 2012

Thanks Loriangel14. We did that yesterday.

student forever · May 15, 2012

Wait til you have to get people dressed whose arms are so stiff and constricted they are like mummies, and they have extremely limited range of motion and tight fitting non stretchable clothing the family insists they wear.

No kidding! My wrist hurts just reading your post! That dead weight is awesome, like they weigh another 100 lbs. And getting my arm under their armpit for a transfer is really difficult. The family does not realize why the clothing gets so torn and battered and they have sports jackets hanging in his closet!!?? I recommended Goodwill for a shopping spree for soft pull on stuff. It took them a few minutes to calm down and realize I had their loved ones best interests at heart. Where is comon sense??????