This is undoubtedly covered elsewhere, but I'm going to try to cut to the chase and start a quick thread...
For winter Jeff usually wears a t-shirt with a sweatshirt over it. (Jeans on the bottom.) I've given up on button shirts except for slightly dress-up occasions. But, as he often requires more dressing help, I'm wondering if there is a better alternative to the sweatshirt. Mainly because, when he's undressing and I'm trying to help, I'm starting to be at risk of getting punched by the flailing elbows and erratically struggling hands. If I can get him to hold still and just do as I say, it's safe, but we're stuck between his needing help and thinking he needs to do it himself.
My dad used to wear mostly zip up jackets, but they always have hoods, and hoods can be bunchy under coats. I guess we need MisterRogers zip up sweaters! (not that I've ever seen them for real.)
Emily, It's Joyce43 and not texas joe. Check on line for Buck and Buck. I purchased clothes for my husband with either snaps or velcro up the back. It was so much easier to get him dressed. You can get dress clothes or sweatshirts. They also have sweatpants or dress pants that you can put on them while they are sitting in a wheelchair. The first thing I bought through them was dress shirts that looked like they buttoned but actually used velcro to close the front of the shirt. For the husbands here, they also have a great selection for women.
emily--sweatshirts really are the best. My DH , Stage 6 does his own T and Sweatshirt , wears sweatpants with pockets, and in cold weather a heavy quilted flannel jacket or a winter jacket. Then he comes to me demanding I "button him up"(start the zipper). Try having him sit down; put both arms into the sleeves, then swing the bunched shirt up and over his head. As he then lowers his arms, his head will pop through the neck and all he needs to do is pull the body down. Haband.com has zippered sweaters and shirts.
Emily, funny you should bring this up. I asked the kids to get Tom some zip up sweaters for Christmas. Our daughter got him a zip up sweater I think she got it at Penney’s or Kohl’s. The brand name is Arrow. Our son got him a zip up fleece jacket. The brand name is Columbia. Sometimes the regular sweatshirts choke him & I figured that if he had a zip sweater if it was choking him he could zip it down. ( I bet you could even get them on sale now!)
Probably the main thing is I just need to convince him not to struggle his way out of the sweatshirt so I can help him better. Chances are if I got him the stuff that closes in the back, or with velcro, he wouldn't even really notice that it was a weird garment, but maybe I'M not quite ready for that step yet!
I just discovered that L.L.Bean has these very nice full-zip sweaters, but they're pretty pricey. http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/61227?feat=594-GN1
You can buy velcro that has a sticky back that you just hand press onto any other fabric and you could convert most any thing that you want to by cutting down the back and adding the velcro. On button shirts you could cut the buttons off and sew them to the btutton hole opening and then add the sticky velcro strips so it would look like it was a shirt that buttons in the front.
Check thrift stores for the sweaters. On sweatshirts you can always cut the hood off, do some stitching around the neck where it was cut. You can also cut the front down 4 inches or so to make getting on easier - a homemade V neck so to speak.
I like the thermal Henley shirts with the 3 buttons down the front. Since they are stretchy it makes them easy to pull over the head. Walmart has some nice ones but I found out the dark colors pick up a lot of lint.
There are some types of long sleeve shirts and/or sweaters that are like V-Necks, but are round. They should be able to pull off with ease. I have a couple myself, they pull off much easier than a regular shirt or sweater. Check more of an athletic store,like Sports Authority or Dick's Sporting Goods. You might be able to find something like a zippered V-Neck as well. Good Luck.
jcapo3 - we also have a azspouse group on FB. Do a search of 'azspouse' and ask to join. It is kind of an extension of here where we chat about everything.
Land's End has a fleece half zip pullover that has worked well for DH. It's very soft , warm and comfortable and looks a little better than a sweatshirt. Best thing is it's on sale now for $14.99.
We have a wonderful consignment shop here and I've gotten to know the owner well. She will call me when something comes in that she thinks I might like for DH. I've gotten wonderful name brand fleece or sweats with the zipper only going down about half way in the front. He loves them and so do I! I don't like buying new and expensive right now, because his weight fluctuates so much and he goes from one size to the other.
emily--an alternative to a sweatshirt is the traditional warmup jacket (usually sold with matching pants--as a set or seperates). They don't have hoods and can fit under an outerwear jacket. My hb has some name brands--Nike, Adidas, etc., and many of the Starter brand sold at Walmart that are less expensive. Layer a short or long sleeve tee under it.
emily, LL Bean has what they call "fitness fleece" tops-some are crewnecks and some are 1/4 zip. DH loves these and so do I. They look nicer than a sweatshirt and can be worn with/without a T-shirt (short or long sleeve) underneath or as a "sweater" with button up shirt or even a flannel shirt underneath depending on how cold it is or how much warmth he needs. I also bought the 1/4 zip fleece from Lands End which is heavier and very soft. Both LL Bean and LE are having good sales now.
As my dh is in bed, I was told by nurses that the easiest thing is cutting the t-shirs, other shirts up the back up to the neck area. I can't believe how easy it is to put on long sleeves/short sleeves now. You just get one are in all the way, slip the neck area over the head and then put on the other sleeve.
As he is in bed all of the time, I don't bother with pants anymore, just the Depends, etc.
when dh was still able to get into the wheelchair, it was a chore getting his jacket on/off. One day I just put it on backwards and worked great. I think sometimes we try too hard to make our spouse look great instead of making our lives easier and more comfortable. I got several all cotton short sleeve shirts and then several long sleeve shirts from WalMart and they are warm, comfortable, and wash great. I don't bother with t-shirts any more as these are more comfortable and look good.