What’s my dress code?
So, you’re all sorted for your first placement! Well done! Getting ready to pack and it suddenly hits you that you are not quite sure about your dress code when you get to your client.
So, what is the dress code?
Some agencies will recommend that you wear their t-shirts and sweaters. In fact, some agencies even sell these with their own logos on them. Check the prices, but often these are quite expensive, and you may also not be partial to sporting the company logo all day. The advantage of these is that it does give you a professional appearance through the day, and even wearing them to go out gives credence to the fact that you are your client’s official carer, and not just a friend helping out.
If you prefer to wear your own clothing, there are some things to consider.
Cover up
Even though it might be hot in the summer months, you should never wear any clothing which is too revealing. This is especially important when dealing with a male client or male members of the family. Male clients still may have sexual inclinations and wearing tops or short skirts which reveal too much skin may simply be a temptation to them. While you may not intend to do this, a client may read things differently.
Be practical
Often you will need to be climbing stairs many times a day, so wear shoes that you are comfortable with and which won’t give you blisters or cause you to trip up. Sandals are great in the summer months, but it will only take one incident where your toes are run over by a wheelchair turning around to realise that closed toe shoes may be the better option! Similarly, jumpers which fit you well are preferable to those which (while they may be the latest style) have long parts hanging loose. They will simply get in the way when washing your client and will also be something for your client to hang onto. Many Dementia clients tend to grab and hold, so make sure that they are not grabbing onto your clothing.
Wash and wear
If you take a wardrobe which needs to be dry-cleaned after use, or even ironed after each wash, you will soon become tired of taking care of your own clothes. Placements can be very busy, particularly if you also have to do the household laundry, and the last thing you need is to have to spend time on your own clothes before you can wear them. T-Shirts which can be washed and worn without ironing, and jumpers which can be tumble dried are a better option.
Leave your good clothes at home
While we all like to look our best, the job of caring means ‘getting your hands dirty’, and you will find that both you and your clothes suffer here. Leave any clothing at home that you regard as special. This means that things which you treasure get left behind. Only wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and perhaps ending up in a charity shop, or even the bin.
To sum up
It is important that in your choice of clothing, you firstly never put yourself in a situation where your client assumes you are provoking him. Secondly, opt for clothing that you don’t mind ruining. Thirdly, dress in a practical way so there is no chance of you tripping up over your own clothing.
Whether you choose to wear company clothing or your own, keep things simple for yourself. This will mean that in your busy day, there is one less thing to worry about.
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