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My father is in a long term assisted facility (in another state). They are telling me that he frequently walks around with his pants down. Is this normal and if so, what is the best way to handle this? The staff at this facility is not adept at working with patients with dementia so I'm trying to politely offer ideas that might help that doesn't step on their toes. Thank you.

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I can only tell my experience with my mom walking around half dressed, also diagnosed with dementia. I suggest you immediately start looking for a facility able to handle the challenges of advancing dementia. It *will* become a necessity if it isn't already, and you don't want to wait until the emergency call comes to start looking. Get him on a few waiting lists as soon as possible.
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Catherinemk Sep 29, 2025
I'm worried that if I move him, he'll lose the familiarity & will have to start fresh with confusion. And will progress more.
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Buy some sweat Pants with an elastic waistband .
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JoAnn29 Sep 29, 2025
He can still pull down his pants even easier.
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Dad should be in a facility that can manage dementia.
I am truly surprised that a facility can not manage this.
Begin looking for a Memory Care Facility that has staff that is adept at managing dementia and it's various behaviors.
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Catherinemk Sep 29, 2025
You have to pay out of your pocket for memory care, correct? My dad has no resources to pay for it.
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Is he asking for help getting them up? Or does he think there's nothing wrong with that scenario?

I agree with others it may be time for MC, since dementia is a progressive disease. If you have to "train" that staff to understand dementia behaviors, then he may not be in an appropriate facility.
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Catherinemk Sep 29, 2025
He thinks there's nothing wrong with having his pants down. Memory care cost money that my dad does not have.
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Your father's dementia is apparently progressing to the point where he is no longer appropriate for assisted living and will require either a nursing home situation, or perhaps board and care where there are fewer patients (average about 6) or memory care facility. He now needs supervision and more staff. The facility will guide you in recommendations.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Support for Your Dad

It’s actually quite common for people with dementia to remove their clothes or walk around partially undressed. Often it’s not intentional “misbehavior,” but a sign of an unmet need or confusion — for example:
• He may be too warm, uncomfortable, or irritated by the fabric of his clothes.
• He may be trying to use the bathroom but can’t find it or communicate his need.
• He may simply be confused about where he is and what’s appropriate.
Because these behaviors usually indicate that someone’s dementia has progressed, it can be difficult for a standard assisted living facility to manage them. Memory care units are specifically designed for people at this stage. They have:
• Staff trained to respond to dementia-related behaviors.
• Higher staff-to-resident ratios and more supervision.
• Environments designed for safety, dignity, and comfort.
In the meantime, some families find it helpful to dress their loved one in adaptive or “anti-strip” clothing — one-piece outfits with closures in the back — which makes it harder for the person to disrobe while still keeping them comfortable.
Here are a few reputable companies that specialize in adaptive clothing for people with dementia:
• Silverts Adaptive Clothing (silverts.com)
• Buck & Buck (buckandbuck.com)
• Joe & Bella (joeandbella.com)
• Resident Essentials (residentessentials.com)
• Adaptive Clothing Showroom (adaptiveclothingshowroom.com)
I hope this helps you feel a bit more prepared and supported. 
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Catherinemk Sep 29, 2025
Thank you. I will screen shot your list and research.
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He is well past AL
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Reply to Bulldog54321
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Of course it's unusual behavior in public situations for normal people to walk around with their pants down! With dementia at play, it's perfectly normal. That the AL facility is unable to handle this tells you it's time to move dad to a facility that IS equipped to handle residents with dementia. It should not be your place to tell staff how to manage their residents!
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Reply to lealonnie1
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If the facility he's in isn't "adept" as you say to caring for people with dementia, you need to move your father to a memory care facility instead.

You can keep his pants on by buying him clothes designed for people with dementia that they can't take off on their own. Jumpsuits and pants with velcro fastening in the back so they can't get them off.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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Start researching some Memory Care facilities. Discuss with each of them the financial issues your dad has and some of them will have programs to help. Depending on what state you live in, there may be help from Medicaid and/or some federal help to take care of the finances.

It sounds like if you get him some appropriate clothing, you may have some time before you have to make the decision to move him. A good MC facility will help you with that.
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Reply to Janet2710
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Buy Elastic waist pants, like lounge pants or sweat pants that fit snugly on his waist. Maybe he's just having a hard time keeping them up and doesn't (or can't) use a belt.

He is probably ready to move to a higher level of care than Assisted Living. In a Memory Care facility, the staff are trained to work with dementia patients.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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Catherine, I am reading others' advice and your subsequent responses.

I am concerned about two things; you will buy adaptive clothing for him that he can not put on or remove on his own and Assisted living staff will not be there to help him out of his clothes to go the bathroom.

You plan to keep him where he is because he doesn't have money for memory care. He can not stay at this facility. Someone needs to help him apply for Medicaid, which will help to pay for the care he needs. Some memory care facilities may take medicaid, if not, then he will need to find a suitable skilled nursing facility. Or, Medicaid can help you to hire a home care aid to help him at the assisted living facility. That could be one option if he's not quite ready for a skilled nursing facility.
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Is he a veteran?
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Reply to Lovemom1941
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Not sure why your dad is in a facility that does not know how to care for Dementia residents. Move him to a memory care facility ASAP.
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Reply to Onlychild2024
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Yes, and great advice from our readers. Use elastic pull-on pants.
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Reply to Patathome01
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Move him to another facility that does deal with dementia patients.
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Reply to RetiredBrain
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If he doesn't have the money or assets to pay for memory care, you can file for medicaid. Call the county he lives in to start the process. AL no longer meets his needs.
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Sounds like he needs to be in Memory care , would he qualify for Medicaid? Medicaid would help pay for monthly fees.
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Reply to Brandyrae75
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Catherinemk: He requires memory care.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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Catherine, your Father is not going to reverse his demenia progression. I know this by experience w my Mother.
Any move will be unsettling, however, he will adjust to a different setting where there is a proper bedrm 4 sleep, kind supportive people, regular meals and favorite pictures or belongings around.
Please do not beat yourself up for needed decisions.
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Reply to EmeraldFriend77
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If it’s long term care AL without a memory care, you’ll more than likely have to move him anyway. Not sure his financial state, but if money is low enough, you can apply for Medicaid long term care for nursing home/memory care. Dads nursing home has a memory care wing. If you haven’t already done it, good idea to talk to an elder care attorney about the options that fit your dads financial & physical situations. Some have a free consultation visit.
Not sure what his other behaviors are like, if he goes to the restroom on his own,etc, but the elastic waist pants are still a good idea. We had to do this for my dad because he kept fidgeting with buttoning/unbuttoning his pants & them falling down because he said they didn’t fit right, even though they were a good fit. A little after wearing the elastic waist pants things got better. He stopped complaining about his pants. And eventually when others are helping him with everything they will be useful too.
Hoping for the best for you & your dad!
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