Dressing and Undressing the Dependent Resident 

Purpose: 

To dress or undress the resident efficiently and comfortably while providing for the resident's privacy and preferences. 

To allow the resident to assist with dressing to the best of their ability. 

Equipment: 

• Bath blanket 

• Resident’s clothing 

Procedure: 

Note: It is usually easier to dress the dependent resident completely in bed before transferring the resident to a chair. Generally, the residents sleep in a hospital gown at night. 

1. Daily Dressing Routine: 

• Residents will be dressed every morning and undressed every evening. 

2. Preparation: 

• Fold back the bed covers. 

• Turn the resident to the supine (face-up) position. 

• Untie the gown. 

• Remove the gown by pulling the sleeves down and over the arms. 

• Lay the gown across the resident to provide covering. 

• Allow the resident to assist whenever possible. 

3. Applying Clothing: 

• To apply pants or slacks: 

• Gather the pant leg for the leg farthest from you. 

• Reach through the leg to grasp the resident’s ankle. 

• Pull the pant leg over your hand and the resident’s leg. 

• Repeat for the leg nearest you. 

• Pull the pants up as high as possible. 

• If the resident is able, have him or her raise the buttocks as you pull the pants up to the waist. 

• If the resident is unable to raise the buttocks, roll the resident on the side away from you as you pull up the other side. Fasten as indicated. 

• Shirt or dress that opens down the front: 

• Reach inside the sleeve farthest from you and grasp the resident’s wrist. 

• Slide the sleeve over your hand and the resident’s arm. 

• Roll the resident toward you and tuck the remainder of the item under the resident. 

• Roll the resident away from you and pull the item free. 

• Reach through the sleeve and grasp the resident’s wrist. 

• Pull the sleeve over your hand and the resident’s wrist. 

• Secure the fasteners. 

• Pullover type shirt or dress: 

• Place both the resident’s hands, one at a time, in the sleeves. 

• Pull the item as high on the arms as possible. 

• Grasp the neck opening and slide it over the head. 

• Either assist the resident to sit and pull the item down, or roll the resident from side to side, pulling the clothing down as you go. 

4. Finishing: 

• Apply stockings and shoes. 

Compliance and Documentation: 

• Adhere to CMS guidelines and Requirements of Participation for Long-Term Care Facilities. 

• Document the dressing and undressing procedure, including the resident’s response and any observations, in their medical record. 

• Note any abnormalities or difficulties encountered during the procedure. 

• Regularly review and update techniques for dressing and undressing according to the latest clinical best practices and regulatory standards. 

• Provide training to staff on proper dressing and undressing procedures to ensure resident safety and comfort. 

• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with this policy and address any gaps in practice or documentation. 

References: 

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). State Operations Manual (SOM), Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long-Term Care Facilities. 

• CMS Requirements of Participation for Nursing Homes.