4 Types of Dressing Aids for People With Limited Mobility

For people with limited mobility, getting dressed in the morning can feel like a major burden and hassle. You do not want to go through struggles to get your clothes on or require assistance each time you need to get dressed. Instead of help from a loved one or hired help, you have the option to purchase dressing aids. The dress aids often have specific features for a wide range of clothing. If you pair the aids with adaptive clothing products, then you have the opportunity to create a routine that cuts down on time and allows you to get dressed independently.

1. Button and Zipper Pullers

Limited mobility and issues like arthritis could create challenges when you try to put on clothing with smaller elements like zippers and buttons. A button and zipper puller tool offers easy ways to pull buttons through holes and lift up on zippers. The long handle of the puller allows you to grasp buttons and move them with the slightest movements. To use the button puller, you stick the looped end through the buttonhole and place the loop around the button. With a slight tug, the button will pull through the hole and attach. Repeat the process for the rest of the buttons on the clothes you wear. The opposite side of a button puller often features a small circular hook for zippers. Simply put the hook through a hole on a zipper and pull up on the handle to move the zipper upwards. The same process works if you need to unzip clothes as well.

2. Dressing Stick

A hurt back or shoulders could make it a challenge to reach back and pull on a sweater, coat, or dress shirt. A dressing stick provides a better solution. The curved end of the stick can easily grab the sleeve or inside of a shirt and help you pull it up and over your shoulder. The dressing stick limits the number of movements you need to make. The long style of the stick and curved edges can also help with other elements of getting dressed. For example, you can use the hooked end to pull shoes closer to you. Use the curved end to help lift up a clothes hanger from the closet. The more you use the stick, the more uses you will find as you get dressed each morning.

3. Sock Aids

The tight squeeze and form fit of socks can make them one of the hardest articles of clothing to put on. Sock aids make the process a lot easier and prevent the need to bend over or strain as you slip the sock on. A sock aid typically includes a molded plastic frame in the form of a U shape. Two long gripped pulleys attach to the end of the plastic frame. While on your lap, you can slip the sock over the U-frame so the sock widens and creates a wide hole. Once attached, you lower the frame to the ground with the strings and slide your feet inside while you pull up on the strings. Once fully attached, you can easily slip out the plastic frame and repeat the process on the opposite foot.

4. Shoehorns

After the socks, you often need to put shoes on your feet. One of the tried-and-true methods to support shoes is with a shoehorn. The curved design of a shoehorn allows you to easily slip your food into a shoe without any struggle or the need to bend down at the shoe. As you shop for shoehorns, look for different lengths. Longer shoehorns are easier to grasp and allow you to put on shoes from a seated position. Find all of your dressing aid supplies with us at Corner Home Medical. We have a large inventory of supplies to choose from, and the options will make it easy for you to get dressed independently each day.