Mother (95) prefers to dress herself, but is having trouble with getting her bra on and off. Any suggestions for an easy, front-closing bra?

Holy cow, if I make it to 95 there's no bra for me! No way! But yes on the waterproof eyeliner! Or better, my mom got tattoo'd eyeliner a few years ago. Dark teal, with the perfect flick at the end. At 84, her eyes are badass!

Imho, try a simpler company like Blair.

My granny always wore camisoles instead of bras. Could that be a solution?

Instead of wasting money trying to order online - take her to a store that can fit her properly. Call ahead of time and tell them you need front close bra and give size of what she wears now and ask if they have several to consider.

I've played the bra game with my mom for so long now and my stress goes from 0 to explode in a matter of seconds. Just try to get her to understand they won't feel quite the way the old standbys do and to give it a fair try. Once you know size and brand, online becomes easy.

Switch to under shirts. Camisols

DW went bra-less after we could not find anything that fit right.
After she had the fungal infection I started looking for what at one time was called a slumber bra. I could not find one but, I did find the Lamaze bras. They kept her dry, provided some support and she loved them. The cups did not close quite right and Had to make some modifications. Safety pins to close the front a little higher and
a small horizontal elastic band in back to keep the straps on her shoulders.
Not bad for a man.

Hi, all : ) I'm looking forward to reading answers to this Q... my mom (on her own, before she became unable to hook a back-hook bra, started using 'sports' bras--pullovers. But after a few years, as it became more difficult to do the over-the-head style, she gave up and stopped wearing at all. There's just no denying an 80 yr. old body, and perhaps it's time for us all to stop thinking of the bra as another nail in the coffin? I'm wondering if it's for 'our own' comfort that we rue the giving up of the bra? She's clean, well fed, and has access (by the grace of god) to good medical care. Just my thoughts, before I start reading others' responses : )

Purchase her the bras that snap in the front. Stores Women Within online run specials on multiple purchases of bras.

Without being too personal, is she large busted?  sometimes it can be tricky to find a good bra.  Even though I have NOT had a mastectomy (my mother had a partial), I have gotten some bras at a specialized place for that.  And they have front closing bras.  My mother (93) no longer wears a bra because I guess number one, its a hassle wearing the prosthesis (she says its heavy even though the newer models are great, plus she has an issue with her one arm not being able to bend back to hook).  She says at her age, who cares.  If she don't, I don't.    Would she be able to wear a sports bra, I think some of them you put on like a buttonless shirt.  Wishing you well.

Buck and Buck is the best!

I put the bra at my waist with the front in back the the hooks in front of me.
I hook it up, turn the bra around my waist
and put my hands and arms in the straps and pull the bra up with my hands along my arms to my shoulders. Adjust as necessary to get al in it.

At age 95, why is she bothering with a bra? They are so uncomfortable. I know bras are very hard to get to fit properly. There is a "sports" bra which is made out of soft stretchable fabric. I am not sure but I think it is pulled over your head and is supposed to conform to the body and be very comfortable. I would forget the normal bras.

I wear camisoles with a bra in them. I step into them and pull them up instead of putting them on over my head. Much easier on the neck and shoulders.

I like the answers here. One person mentioned, "keeping the fold of skin under the bust scrupulously clean and dry is very difficult and the resulting problems are made much worse if the skin surfaces are continuously pressed together." I myself have had issues with irritation under my breasts especially if the weather is warm. Some people actually get pressure sores under their breasts which can be painful and dangerous. If this is the case I would recommend a cotton bra and replacing the front closure or just making it into a front closure with velcro. Another option is a cotton tank top just to give a bit of support. Good luck!

Kohls sells Bali on line. They have a front close bra.

Layne Bryant has front closure bras. (I started wearing them when arthritis makes it impossible to hook a bra in the back.)
I would encourage her to switch to a Camisole rather than continuing to fight with a bra. There are some with a "shelf bra" sort of like a double fabric that might "contain the girls" a bit better without the discomfort of a bra.
One other thought came to mind. Many swim suits are sold top and bottom separately maybe a swim top might work.
Have a Bra Burning Party and do away with them.

I would suggest your mother not wear a bra. My 98 year old mother stopped wearing her bra in her eighties on my suggestion. She is more comfortable and less back pain. She looks just fine in her clothes and really can't tell she is not using one.

What about one of those sports type bras that are one piece and you pull them on like a shirt? My mom has a fairly large bust - and we found some that are very soft and pull on easily - but still give her enough support that she needs.

There is a catalog from a company called Buck & Buck. They specialized in adaptive clothing. My mom has severe arthritis in her hands so she could no longer close a bra. Not wearing a bra - no way. Buck & Buck had a front closure bra with a loop. She simply slides her had under the loop and pulls the bra close. I am not sure what size they go up to, but definitely check them out. Their clothes are cute too!

Does she really need to wear a bra? Can you get her some tank tops with the built in bra and see if that is sufficient for her?