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She has limited use of her hands, and is unable to raise her arms very far. I have to buy the bras and bring them in for her to try. Anyone have a favorite store or brand? She needs something soft and gentle on the skin.

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Gave up bras completely about a year ago. Felt funny at first but i wear loose tops and you can't tell the difference. Comes in handy when you have to have a chest X-ray too. No need to undress as long as there are no buttons or zippers. When your boobs have to be included in your waist measurement who cares anyway.
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This is an old post but LOL LOL to the suggestion of a bathing suit top, have you tried any on lately? When I was out shopping I thought I was in a torture chamber rather than a dressing room, anything supportive was also so snug that getting it down over my shoulders was nearly impossible!!
I would suggest if you don't need or care about support any more just go for a camisole, otherwise look for front closure or bras from adaptive clothing shops like silverts.
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You might try the upper portion of a 2-piece bathing suit made of an elasticized fabric, like Lycra. This would be like a sports bra, but could just be slipped on over the head without raising arms much. Some bathing suits have cups in them, others don't, so you could choose what might be most comfortable. Rather than buying a brand new bathing suit, and not using the panty part, look at a thrift store and try on several sizes/kinds/colors and see if you can save some money that way.
I believe that there are also camisole tops that have cups in them. Those could be soft and could slide over the head easily.
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Walmart or the bay sports bras have the support as well as comfort better than hocked bras
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TLC is a great source. Some of the women I know use the camisoles with the built in bra, that works for small and medium size bust, a larger bust may need a little more support. TLC has many styles both front and back closure.
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I also noticed that front-closing bras are a bigger pain to put on than the traditional back fastening type. Some years ago I had a statin-drug arm muscle issue that made it impossible to get my hands behind my back so I thought the front-closure would work. Not. Easier to do the close the back hooks in the front and scooch. I look for soft cotton, no underwire, wide straps; several companies make them. I can't read the label on my current favorite; keep meaning to use a extra-fine Sharpie to wire the brand, model #, size, source neatly along the back inside; as the original labels fade over washings.
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Walmart try sports bras more elestatic easy to put on
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I have severe O/A and have not been able to put on a bra the standardway with a back fastener or do one up that fastens in the front. my solution has been to continue to use a regular bra but put it on back to front, do up the hooks , slide the whole thing round so the cups are in the front. After that I put the boobs in the cups and slip the straps up over my shoulders which I can still manage to do.
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There are arthritis bras with velcro closures in front.
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Try a bra that is more like a sports bra, wide backed and snug plus get one that clips in the front it will be easier to get on and off.
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I can no longer do up a bra behind my back so do it up in the front then pull it round ande pull the straps up over my shoulders. I tried the front fasteners but could not manage those as I can't get both hands to the hooks same problem with blouse buttons I can only use one hand on those because of a still elbow. I have shingles pain three years after i had the shingles and tried going without a bra but the girls got cold
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try tlcdirect they have mastectomy bras but the bras are fashionable and wearable even for those who still have breasts. Some of their bras are easy to put on and are soft. I haven't had a mastectomy but I use some of the bras and have been very satisfied. They also have camisoles with a built in bra.
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Try the arthritis bra at Silvert's store or at Buck & Buck - both stores will have what you're looking for
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Thank you - I asked about the front-closing bras and she says they just don't work. I am thinking o a leisure bra like LindaGS mentioned but rear-fastening. I agree with mamaizpeck that Target is a good resource. And the search continues!
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The usually are described as "Leisure Bras" when they have hooks in the front and they are soft but fashioned much like a sports bra.
Try Vermont Country Store. They have great stuff for mature Americans.
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My mother is 89 and she had the same problem. So I started getting her the genie bras. She loves them. All she has to do is put them over her head and pull them down. But if your mother has trouble over head then someone just has to help her pull it down , but they are very comforable. I also know that Target sells a lot of good bras that are soft. I have one myself but didn't have the brand name on them. Just have to look and feel. Good Luck, I know it takes a long time to find good bras. It took me a couple of months and trying different ones for her that she would be comforable in. Hope this helps.
Liz Peck
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Have you tried places like J.C. Penneys that specialize in hard to fit women? They are terrific with my nasty 89 yr old mother, fit her, and make sure she can make the bra work before we leave. They will also special order if you need to. I never brag one store up over another, but this solved this problem for us.
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Have you tried Lady Grace? They are on line at LadyGrace? They sell all kinds of undergarments and my experience with them has been excellent. Look up a location on their web site and call them with what you are looking for. They are really helpful. (I use the store in Brookline, MA). My "girls" are substantial and they are the only ones who helped me find a really comfortable, attractive bra. Good luck!
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Thank you guys.... she's small busted but very particular and likes "the girls" to be well controlled. I never thought of the camisole idea, especially for all of her "at home" days. I did look for the adaptive clothing and it seems like there's little out there. I am really wanting a sports bra which fastens, either front or back. I want her to get away from wires, as she already has A-Fib. No need to be at any more risk. ANYWAY.... the search continues. Why her daughter doesn't do this I do not know! :-)
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I went through this for my mother a couple of years ago. I got to be pretty friendly with the gal at the return counter! We went through a lot of batches to get the correct size and something comfortable.

Sports bras are often soft and comfortable, but they can be a bit of a challenge to put on and take off. Camisoles are very popular now, and might suit if they are stretchy and easy to put on and if she doesn't need a lot of support. (I'm thinking more of the soft cotton fashion type, rather than the tight lycra undergarment.)

My grandmother, who lived into her late nineties, had never worn a bra in her life. But old-lady camisoles had quite gone out of fashion by the time she reached her eighties, and I remember hunting all over for some. Finally found I could order them from a Penney catalog -- still a good bet for that kind of basic.

If there is a computer in your client's house (or you have a laptop) it is much easier to shop online. You can narrow your search more easily than walking through aisle after aisle in the store. Your client can help you! You can order multiple sizes and styles, and return what doesn't work either to a store if there is a Penney's near you, or by mail.

You might also try Googling "adaptive clothing bras" and see if anything seems to match her limitations.

Good luck, Ruth!
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Hi Ruth: Is she big busted and needing support? I remember back in the day, when I was young, and we sometimes wore these knitted half tops that gave support, but didn't have uncomfortable straps. That might work if she is small busted. Is the problem that she can't get them on by herself, or that the arms and back strap hurt. Not sure I understand. The last thing I want to worry about when I'm 90 is wearing a bra. Cattails.
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