Getting dressed can be challenging for seniors
Arthritis, illness, surgery, or other health conditions can make it difficult for many seniors to get dressed and undressed.
Getting dressed shouldn’t be a constant struggle or the reason that your older adult loses independence. Many inexpensive dressing aids are available today.
We rounded up 10 simple and smart dressing aids that help older adults dress themselves more easily.
10 dressing aids help seniors dress independently
1. $6 Sammons Preston 26-inch Dressing Stick
This wooden dressing stick has two plastic-coated hooked ends.
Use it to pull up pants and zippers and help fasten buttons. Or, use it to push off clothing and remove socks.
2. $8 OXO Good Grips Button Hook Aid
Arthritic fingers, tremors, or loss of dexterity can turn buttoning a shirt into a frustrating struggle. Use this simple button hook to fasten regular-size buttons.
3. $8 Lock Laces (Elastic No-Tie Shoelaces)
Tying sneakers requires finger dexterity and bending or kneeling, making it tough for many seniors.
Replace regular shoelaces with elastic no-tie shoelaces instead. These laces make any lace-up shoes into slip-ons!
4. $9 Vaunn Medical EZ-TUG Sock Aid with Foam Grip
Putting on socks can be a huge effort for some seniors.
This sock aid makes it much easier to get socks on. It has a plastic body and foam grips.
First, put the sock on the plastic tube. Then, insert the foot into the tube and pull up using the grips.
5. $10 Delaman Easy-On/Easy-Off Sock Aid
This sock aid has a more flexible tube, so it might be a better fit for seniors with smaller sized feet.
6. $13 Regal 2-in-1 Dressing Stick and Shoehorn
Dressing sticks help older adults reach and pull various clothing items.
Use this plastic stick to pull up pants or hook fabric to pull clothing far enough to grab. It also helps remove clothes and socks.
Plus, this one also doubles as a shoehorn.
7. $14 FootFunnel Shoe Assist
This innovative shoe aid is different from a shoe horn. It’s a plastic piece that fits over the heel of the shoe.
The plastic makes it easy to slip a foot into the shoe without getting caught on the heel.
Some of the reviews said it was better than a shoehorn, but that it doesn’t fit all shoes (depends on the thickness or stiffness of the heel part).
8. $16 Home-X 31.5 inch Extra Long Metal Shoehorn
You might think that all shoehorns are created equal, but this one seems to be a cut above the rest.
The extra length means no bending over and the strong metal makes it extra durable. Many reviewers absolutely loved this simple shoehorn.
9. $18 Ettore Grip ‘n Grab
This grabber can reach for more than just clothing, but it comes in handy while getting dressed.
Instead of bending over or reaching for various clothing items, just use this grabbing tool.
10. $28 Jobst Stocking Donner
Compression socks are one of the most difficult and time-consuming items to put on because they’re so tight.
To make things easier, use a compression stocking aid.
The frame isn’t adjustable, so those with larger or very swollen legs might want to try the $28 Mediven Stocking Butler instead.
Recommended for you:
- The Big List of Best Gifts for Seniors
- Gifts for Seniors with Alzheimer’s or Dementia: 31 Perfect Ideas
- 10 Useful Bathroom Safety Gifts for Seniors
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: OTPlan
All prices quoted were checked shortly before publication, but prices and availability change often and might not match what is found online. This article wasn't sponsored, but does contain some affiliate links. We never link to products or services for the sole purpose of making a commission. Recommendations are based on our honest opinions. For more information, see How We Make Money.
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About the Author
Connie Chow
Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
For Clifford
I put my sweater, jacket or coat over one top side of my power lift recliner, back up to the garment, put one arm into one sleeve, reach for the other underarm opening and work the garment into position. It works great with practice and solved the same problem for me, good luck Clifford.
Excellent solution, thank you for sharing!
Any ideas on helping someone pull up their pants, zip when standing is difficult – need to use two hands to stand up with walker and pants fall down.
It sounds like it would be safer to try to put on pants while seated. However, many adaptive pants for people who use wheelchairs have open bottoms, which may not work for this situation.
Two companies that make adaptive clothing are Silvert’s at https://www.silverts.com/ and Buck & Buck at https://www.buckandbuck.com/ You may want to call them to see if they have specific clothing items that they’d recommend for this situation.
But based on the question, it may be safest for the person to get help from another person when putting on pants.
Thank you for info. Mom is 87 and is finding life difficult. She has trouble pulling pants on as her knees won’t cooperate. Knee surgery both legs, very swollen and sore. I’d like ideas on what apparatus could help her dress independently
That can definitely make getting dressed tough. I’d suggest trying a combination of dressing aids and adaptive clothing.
The dressing aids on this page may be helpful. Observe your mom and try to identify specific movements that she struggles with the most. Focus on finding aids or clothing that could make those movements easier.
And since she’s just healing from surgery, she may need some help with dressing her lower half until the swelling and soreness subside.
These are a few adaptive clothing companies that have good products:
— Buck & Buck https://www.buckandbuck.com/
— Silvert’s https://www.silverts.com/
— Alium Adaptive Apparel https://www.aliumadaptive.com/
I have great difficulty putting on my coat as I have limited arm movement.
I did not see anything that would help in my case not even something to hold the jacket in position
Clifford — Have you given the dressing sticks a try (shown in #1 and #2)? Sometimes it can take some trial and error to push and pull the clothing using the dressing stick. I hope you can find a solution that works well for you.