Open Back Slacks
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Open Back Slacks
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Silverts
Cost: $32
Reimbursement:
Pros:
These slacks are a real time and effort saver whether you use a sling, transfer with help, or transfer by yourself. Some manufacturers of toileting/hygiene slings say your caregiver may be able to get your slacks down and back up again while you are in the sling but none guarantee it. We found that with some heavy tugging we could get them down, but getting them back up was a major effort and soon abandoned. That led me to try adaptive clothing . . .
Wearing slacks that have zippers at both sides works fairly well. When unzipped, the backside of the slacks drops down like a trapdoor. It is hard to get slacks re-zipped using the sling however. A much better solution are slacks with an open bottom. As weird as they sound, open bottom slacks look like ordinary slacks when you are sitting. But when you transfer to the toilet -- by standing or in a lift -- you don't have to do a thing with them. Just transfer to the toilet and back again. No tugging, zipping, snapping, or velcro-ing! There is plenty of room for wiping and they can be put on while you are in a chair, on the toilet, or in bed. Of course you can't wear underwear with them. I just put a hand towel on the wheelchair seat instead (which is also handy for caregivers to use to scoot you up in your chair). The Silverts brand is well made and reasonably
priced.
Cons:
Color and fabric selection is very limited. Shipping is high at $9 a pair.
If the slacks are too tight you may have to do some tugging to cover a gap at the hip. Stretch fabric is more comfortable and much easier to put on than the dressier gabardine.
No jumping up out of your chair and running around in public with these on. In spite of the "modesty panel " in back, you will want to do any transfers or stand up repositioning in a
private spot in case of accidental unsnapping!
Summary:
Open bottom slacks are an absolute must for full time wheelchair users! I purchased one pair to use as a pattern and my mom has converted several other pairs of slacks for me.
Any pair with good sized pockets can be altered using the fabric from the pockets to make the overlapping back panels. I suggest finding a friend or relative with basic sewing skills to do your
alterations. I bought a pair of slacks on sale for $10 and took them to an alteration shop to have them converted -- and ended up with a $45 pair of everyday slacks!
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.
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Open Back Slacks
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Silverts
Cost: $32
Reimbursement:
Pros:
These slacks are a real time and effort saver whether you use a sling, transfer with help, or transfer by yourself. Some manufacturers of toileting/hygiene slings say your caregiver may be able to get your slacks down and back up again while you are in the sling but none guarantee it. We found that with some heavy tugging we could get them down, but getting them back up was a major effort and soon abandoned. That led me to try adaptive clothing . . .
Wearing slacks that have zippers at both sides works fairly well. When unzipped, the backside of the slacks drops down like a trapdoor. It is hard to get slacks re-zipped using the sling however. A much better solution are slacks with an open bottom. As weird as they sound, open bottom slacks look like ordinary slacks when you are sitting. But when you transfer to the toilet -- by standing or in a lift -- you don't have to do a thing with them. Just transfer to the toilet and back again. No tugging, zipping, snapping, or velcro-ing! There is plenty of room for wiping and they can be put on while you are in a chair, on the toilet, or in bed. Of course you can't wear underwear with them. I just put a hand towel on the wheelchair seat instead (which is also handy for caregivers to use to scoot you up in your chair). The Silverts brand is well made and reasonably
priced.
Cons:
Color and fabric selection is very limited. Shipping is high at $9 a pair.
If the slacks are too tight you may have to do some tugging to cover a gap at the hip. Stretch fabric is more comfortable and much easier to put on than the dressier gabardine.
No jumping up out of your chair and running around in public with these on. In spite of the "modesty panel " in back, you will want to do any transfers or stand up repositioning in a
private spot in case of accidental unsnapping!
Summary:
Open bottom slacks are an absolute must for full time wheelchair users! I purchased one pair to use as a pattern and my mom has converted several other pairs of slacks for me.
Any pair with good sized pockets can be altered using the fabric from the pockets to make the overlapping back panels. I suggest finding a friend or relative with basic sewing skills to do your
alterations. I bought a pair of slacks on sale for $10 and took them to an alteration shop to have them converted -- and ended up with a $45 pair of everyday slacks!
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.