This is a completely unpaid post-we have worked with INGA Previously and am sharing in the hope you can help them shape their new rental service as they need patient voices!
We all dread that hospital gown moment… when you hand over your individuality and take on the role of ‘patient’. For many of us that experience could soon thankfully be consigned to history with a new service enabling men and women to rent beautiful, soft adapted clothing with all the functionality of a gown and more, but the look of entirely normal clothes. You might have seen these on our blog previously-as our bloggers were some of the first to get the chance to try these out!
What you wear may initially seem trivial, but when in hospital, or undergoing treatment, it can seriously impact the way you feel, especially when the only feasible option is that ubiquitous bottom-bearing gown. There is growing research to show that wearing the gown can in fact have a significant negative impact on both our mental and physical health.
INGA Wellbeing founders’ experiences of exactly this challenge that drove them to create their now award-winning collection of men’s and women’s adapted patient clothing. The main benefits of their tops, trousers and dresses are that:
–It’s possible to dress and undress independently, even when connected to IVs, monitors, catheters or drains thanks to discreet snap taped seams
–The clothes look entirely ‘normal’, so you can have visitors and walk the wards without fear of flashing! This is so crucial to ensure you don’t lose any strength through too much bed rest leaving you more susceptible to falls and requiring additional rehab post-recovery. It also helps avoid a feeling of isolation from not wanting people to see you in that patient role!
–You can remain largely dressed during examinations and treatments as it’s possible to provide access to just the area required, rather than removing clothes more completely. This allows nurses and carers to be more efficient, and patients to remain dignified and feel more comfortable.
–Maintaining your identity. People may treat you and look at you as a ‘patient’, but you’re still you! Being able to dress as if you’re well is a huge support to your mental health, and enables you to retain your identity. Here is our blogger Rachel, from Rocking2Stomas wearing hers!
For many living with long-term health
However, for those preparing for shorter-term hospitalisations or treatment the company has just launched a rental option. This allows men and women to access a number of tops that can be kept for 2-4 weeks (or more if arranged directly with INGA Wellbeing), and then simply returned once you no longer need them. This has the benefit of providing you with a number of tops so you can have one on, one waiting and one in the wash (or more) at any one time. You can also have a selection of colours and it’s a more affordable option.
How does it work?
You just visit INGA Wellbeing’s website at www.ingawellbeing.com and click through to the rental page. There you’ll find explanations and costs as to how it works, for example, you can have 4 tops for two weeks for £39.99 – the price of a bunch of flowers but a lot more practical!
Once no longer needed you simply pop them through a home wash, bag them up and return them to INGA Wellbeing. They will then launder them according to NHS guidelines, check for any running repairs required and they are ready for the next patient.
Can you offer invaluable feedback?
INGA Wellbeing was co-founded by three women with extensive personal experience in caring for loved ones living with chronic illnesses and the many hospitalisations that required. They couldn’t believe no options were available to make those they loved more comfortable and dignified, and help them retain their identity and confidence. So much so they have worked to create something that is now widely available. As a small and young
They would love to hear from you about your thoughts on the clothes, the rental idea, and any other feedback or ideas you have. For example, would the rental option work for you? What concerns would you have? Do you think pricing is fair and reasonable?
If you’d like to share your thinking please do contact co-founder Claire at claire@ingawellbeing.com or reach out to them via social media
Thank you so much for sharing our story and calling for feedback. We would love to hear from anybody about whether or not they would be interested in such a concept. If not please do share your thoughts on whether or not a clothing solution is needed and what you would want from it.
Thank you so much from the team at INGA Wellbeing
I don’t have a lot of hospital visits thankfully but I will comment because I think this has potential for something else as well – and that is finding clothing that is comfortable and doesn’t irritate symptoms that can also be worn as more fashionable wear than sweatpants or yoga pants. As a therapist, I struggle to find any business casual clothing I can wear to see a client that doesn’t hurt me to sit down in when I’m having a lupus or Fibro flare. I pretty much live in leggings or yoga pants when I can but jeans most days or even slacks just don’t cut it. I’d love to see an extension of this that could also be worn during social or work activities.
that’s a really good point-I’ll pass on to iNGA
Thanks so much Amanda, that’s really helpful. Thank you. We’ve come across a company called Iamdenim through social media and other outreach – I wonder if they might be able to help you in the interim. We are certainly considering such an option for the future though.
Thanks again for your feedback.