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I have tagged all her clothes and we will be doing her laundry. How many clothes do you leave?


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One weeks worth.
Don’t take the favorites or nice clothing because it will go missing or get beat up in the washer.

My mom had bought some monogrammed peach towels (her initials with teal lettering) years prior. I took them to the Memory Care facility-what a mistake! They were in perfect condition. The aides used big black permanent marker directly on the front of the towels (not on the tag) to write her name! Within 6 months they were bleached and shredded-from their washer-unrecognizable from their original condition !!

Again, don’t take any clothing you value there. Also, they mixed up other peoples clothes with hers.

We took a lot of clothes there (all her clothing, 2 bags full) and I could only fit one bag’s worth in the closet. Mom always bought expensive clothes with high end labels. They “stored” the other bag in an empty room. When she left that facility they couldn’t “find” the other bag. They gave me a bag of clothes some lady who died had worn.
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TaylorUK Jul 2019
How will their washer have any effect if OP is doing all the laundry? However I totally agree with you that high end stuff is impractical - for a start it isn't made to suit the elderly incontinent and has poncy little buttons etc - one smarter lounge suit or blouse and skirt then easy wear, mix and match gives most options. (as long as Mum will wear them)
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The last time Luz was in rehab I had four sets for her and washed clothes daily. I did have more tops than bottoms since she would sleep in her under wear. The first time she was in rehab it took all day to find her clothes the facility washed and return the ones that were delivered to her.
I vote to have plenty available but no more than four sets in the room until you see what the place is really like.
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It depends on how often you will be visiting and whether or not she usually needs changing during the day. It also depends on the facility - whether she shares a room or other residents are apt to "shop" through her wardrobe.
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TaylorUK Jul 2019
Don't facilities have lockable doors for when residents are out of their rooms - rooms are private not corridors or meeting places for others.
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Depends how often you will be going in. If every day (bad idea as enables LO to not get involved with others because they base their lives round you still - plus you get no rest) then I am sure you friend's level of clothing is more than sufficient depending on incontinence leakage etc. But if you only go once a week then I think you would need to look at at least three times that if you are doing all laundry. If it turns out to be too much you can always cut it down and bring it back with you.
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The facility my mom (& mother in law were in) recommended 7 of each item. If they need extra changing for some reason one day or something comes up & you absolutely can’t make it one day, they will be wearing a hospital gown until more clothes arrive. Maybe pack a few extra things that aren’t “too nice” so I’d they get lost it’s not a big deal.
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I suggest taking the oldest clothes to a nursing home. My Mom had some new fleece jackets as she was always cold, they disappeared. They even took her comforter. Everything was labeled, but they were never found again .
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TaylorUK Jul 2019
I would make them sign a list of receipt for all items with photos if necessary and then they can replace if go missing, but I don't really see why anything should go missing if OP is doing the laundry - the only reason would seem to be deliberate theft.
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Will she be staying in long term care? If so, why limit her clothes and have to do laundry so often? I brought all of Moms summer clothes and stored her winter ones at my house until it was time to swap them out. Probably 10 pairs of slacks, at least 20 tops, some cardigans and sweatshirts, camisoles, nightgowns, bathrobe and knee socks.
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rocketjcat Jul 2019
If your question was how much to bring to rehab, I did bring few items there, but enough so I only had to launder once a week. My above answer was based on her move to the NH.
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Thanks everyone!! She will be staying there. I think I will start with 4 as suggested, then reevaluate in a month or so. We expect most weeks to visit 3 -4 times a week. We have been visiting everyday in rehab, but we are going to visit less so maybe she will socialize a bit more.
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rocketjcat Jul 2019
While Mom was in rehab I did her laundry because I never knew when she’d be released and I didn’t want clothes left in laundry limbo. However when she moved to NH, I let them do it. It was the best decision I made. Laundry was removed daily, and usually returned the next day, on hangers, with laundry tags with her name on them. It saved me soooo much time, and I never had the pressing need to get laundry done when I got home. Over the 2.5 years she was there they did lose a few items, mostly her fancy knee socks, but I was overall very pleased with the service. You may want to ask what their process is and see if it might work for you.
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How often will you be there?
If you leave only 3 outfits and she spills juice in the morning and has a leaking brief in the afternoon that leaves 1 outfit for the next day. And if something happens to that....
Bring the 3 outfits you want but do not bring anything that is real "nice" it will get misplaced.
I will tell you pant waist bands will get stretched out. I can not tell you the number of times that I saw aids using the pants waist band to help transfer someone from the bed to a wheelchair.
Polar fleece is good, very forgiving and washes and dries fast.
Think of the clothing like the Children's clothing Garanimals it was designed so that most the tops went with most the bottoms or at least they were coded so it was easy to find an outfit.. So don't get pants that will only go with a particular top.
Pull up type pants, no buttons or zippers and blouses that are easy to get on and off V-neck are easier to get on and off than a crew neck or turtleneck.
If you are handy with a sewing machine put Velcro under the buttons so it is easy to fasten rather than button the top. or check out Dawn Wells (Gilligans Island actress) designed a line of clothing that is easy to put on, I think I read her mom had Alzheimer's..
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We started having enough for 2 weeks and once Mom went thru 1 week’s worth in 1 day! Mom’s favorite pants were pants that ended up in her basket that was someone else’s. She was so proud of those sparkly pants!

i know this doesn’t answer your question, but it did remind me of this fond memory. :)
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