08 June 2020
If someone is unsteady of their feet, has poor dexterity in their hands or is living with restricted mobility in their upper or lower body, a dressing aid can be invaluable for helping them to get dressed or put on their shoes.
There are many different types of dressing aids which are designed to reduce discomfort or awkward bending so that a person can maintain their independence when getting ready each day. Remember, getting dressed helps to provide structure to our daily routine, which is especially important right now as many people get used to a "new normal". Healthcare Pro has a range of equipment which can help a person to dress independently and we explore these options below.
If a person is not very flexible or has difficulty keeping their balance when bending down, it can be a good idea to invest in a sock aid, such as the Brevetti Sock Dressing Aid. This features a sock holder and a long handle, reducing the need to bend down towards the feet, and enables a person to stay seated when putting their socks on to help prevent falls through overbalancing.
Alternatively, why not consider a Sock/Hose Aid which has two fabric handles, that you lower down to your foot, and a smooth inner surface on the sock holder that reduces friction for additional comfort.
We can all find buttons and zips fiddly at times and anyone living with stiffness or limited dexterity in their hands and fingers may have days where they find these nigh-on impossible to fasten. The button hook with zipper pull is a small but effective dressing aid that can be used to fasten buttons and pull up zips – ideal for those who find it hard to grip small items. Plus, the large handle makes it more comfortable for a person to hold.
Dressing sticks or reachers can be used to help someone put on different items of clothing, including trousers, shirts and socks. They are especially useful for anyone who has limited mobility or weakness in one of their hands or arms, or who find it difficult to twist and reach into awkward positions, such as putting an arm into their sleeve. One piece of equipment worth looking at is the Dressing Stick Deluxe, which has multiple hooks that can hold different clothing parts, such as under the arm of a jacket or a trouser belt loop.
If a person has a stiff or immobile leg, the Dual Handle Leg Lifter could be an ideal solution as it will give the person better control and reduce the need for them to bend down to move their leg when positioning it into a shoe or sock. This particular leg lifter features two handles to loop around both hands for increased control and is made of reinforced polyester for durability.
To view more of the dressing aids available at Healthcare Pro, you can browse our dressing aids category on our website. If you have any questions about which product is best for your needs, or the needs of someone you’re caring for, you can contact our Occupational Therapists for expert product advice on productadvice@healthcarepro.co.uk. Please note that our Occupational Therapists can only advise you based on the information you have given.
By subscribing you consent to us using your email address in accordance with our privacy policy.