Hips lose firmness. The spinal column bends and shortens, and the head bows. There may be problems with incontinence, although many are treatable. These changes occur gradually but will eventually lead to a needed deviation in the fit of clothing. In addition to the challenges associated with aging, there may be accompanying conditions that can compound the inability to perfomrm tasks that were once routine.
Arthritis is one such condition.
With arthritis, there can be a gradual lessening of hand use. Because of occasional pain, reduced ability to perform some tasks, and reduced energy, arthritis patients find it increasingly difficult to pull on some garments and to manage their closures. Another condition is incontinence. This is the inability to control urine or bowel function. It is reported that 10 million Amercians have urinary incontinence and that it is twice as likely to affect women as men.