What to Know About Bibs, Gowns, and Protective Clothing
Protective clothing and equipment are designed for anybody who offers caregiving services, whether professionally or as a family caregiver at home and includes items such as:
- Gloves help protect caregivers and care recipients from infection or spreading bacteria. If your daily responsibilities include changing diapers, sterilizing catheters, or administering enteral or parenteral feeding, be sure to invest in high-quality gloves.
- Surgical, reusable & disposable masks can help protect against the spread of germs when you:
- Are concerned about passing a cold or illness onto your loved one
- Are caring for a loved one who has an illness and you would feel more comfortable wearing a mask.
- Bibs that can be either disposable or reusable provide both stain resistance and maximum protection against spills. Ideal for loved ones:
- Experiencing trouble with fine motor control and who are at risk for spillage.
- Who are unable to self feed and need extra protection against spills.
- Gowns help protect the caregiver from coming into contact with bodily fluids, blood, or other potentially infectious material. Gowns also help keep the caregiver's clothing clean and free of contaminants. Also included in this category are general purpose exam drapes and towels.
- Shoe covers keep shoes from tracking dirt and germs onto flooring. They’re often single-use and disposable to prevent cross-contamination.
- Caps are for those who need to keep their loved ones room sterile, caps protect stray hairs from contaminating the area.
- Scrubs provide protection against cross contamination as well as protection against bodily fluids.
How to Choose:
Choosing clothing for you or your loved one often comes down to:
- Adaptive Need: Your loved one may have a specialized need that adaptive clothing can support. That may mean looking for velcro-fastened shoes if your loved one doesn’t have strong fine motor control, or it may mean slip-on shoes for those that are unable to bend down.
- Style preference: Your clothing should make you feel beautiful and confident, so look for clothing in styles and colors that you enjoy.
- Comfort: Look for clothes that will promote maximum comfort for you or a loved one.
- Size: Your loved ones’ size will likely change from one article of clothing to the next - reference our sizing guides to get the best fit.
FAQ's:
Can you wear scrubs as a caregiver?
Scrubs are a personal choice when it comes to caregiving whether for a client or loved one. If working for an agency, scrubs offer a great solution for a general uniform. Whether you wear them or not may be up to the employer.
How long do unused face masks last?
Typically, masks have a 5-year shelf life when stored in their original packaging within normal temperatures.
What is the importance of protective clothing?
Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, can help protect the caregiver from coming into contact with bodily fluids, blood, or other infectious material.
Can adults wear bibs?
Yes. We carry reusable and disposable bibs ideal for loved ones who are:
- Experiencing trouble with fine motor control and who are at risk for spillage.
- Unable to self feed and need extra protection against spills.
Are there any face masks that won’t fog glasses?
Yes. Fluidguard and FluidShield both have masks that are especially helpful for caregivers or healthcare professionals who need to wear a face covering along with glasses as the mask is made with anti-fog foam that prevents eyewear from fogging up.
In what situations should I use vinyl vs. nitrile vs. latex gloves?
The type of gloves that will most benefit you and your loved one depends on their individual needs and your caregiving responsibilities. To learn more about recommendations on usage, check out our Vinyl vs Nitrile vs Latex Gloves article.
Related Articles:
Top Quality Gloves
Vinyl vs Nitrile vs Latex Gloves
Enteral vs. Parenteral Feeding & Nutrition: A Complete Guide
