One of the things most of us might not acknowledge, until we have to, is how much our memory, (or lack of), impacts upon day to day things like what we wear. If you can't reliably recall what someone said a few minutes ago or what you did yesterday, then it's not surprising that you forget what you wore yesterday.
Ringing the changes and making sure clothes get into the wash is particularly tricky when someone's memory is begining to fail but they still live alone and independently. When you have little concept of time and get easily muddled, it's not surprising that you might wear the same clothes for days on end and forget to put things in the laundry. This can be more upsetting for family members, particularly if their relative used to take pride in their appearance. It is a delicate, personal and potentially embarrasing situation for all concerned. If you don't see an elderly relative daily, how do you help and how receptive will they be to your intervention?
How you deal with it will depend upon the relationship you have with the elderly person, their 'trainability' and determining approaches which will work in their particular situation. e.g. a prominent new linen box for dirty washing, written 'poster-reminders' strategically placed, labels in the wardrobe/on drawers.
At the end of the day it is important to retain an individual's self respect whilst also ensuring they are happy and accepted in the communities in which they live and socialise.
