Getting dressed can be a little tricky for seniors. There are too many people around us getting older and/or having different kinds of issues – Arthritis, illness, post-surgery – that can affect their ability to get dress on their own. After all getting dress shouldn’t be a constant struggle for seniors! With this in mind, I started to try a few dressing aid gadgets for seniors that actually work and that made their lives a lot easier.
So what are the best dressing aids for independent seniors? In simple words, these are the gadgets that can make seniors’ lives easier, especially for those who live alone. From dressing sticks to shoe assist that spreads the heel of the shoe, a lot of different gadgets have been created to make the life of seniors easier and to help them to keep their independence.
I have a shortlist with the best dressing aid devices for seniors to help you to dress up, by giving you a hand with buttons and zippers, socks and shoes.
And the best part is that, although they are extremely useful, they are also easy to use and very affordable.
Just try some of these on and see it for yourself!
Dressing Aid for Seniors
When a post-operation or stroke or arthritis means less strength and dexterity in the fingers, buttoning or zipping can become a challenge. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t live independently anymore. Now you can maintain your dignity with the help of a few great gadgets designed specifically for your dressing needs.
Dressing Aid for Dressing Up
A dressing stick is the essential dressing aid gadget for those who need a little help to dress up. And not only dressing up, but these devices also help seniors to reach and pull various clothing items. You can use a dressing stick to pull up your pants, and it also helps to remove clothes and even socks.
1. RMS Deluxe Dressing Stick (around $14)
This dressing aid gadget is 28″ long, perfect as an adaptive dressing Aid for seniors with limited flexibility, reduced mobility, and physical disabilities. This dressing stick acts as an independent daily living aid and self-care tool for bending and reaching, putting on and pulling off Clothing. Besides, it is comfortable to use. Its reinforced hook at the bottom helps the user apply and remove articles of clothing, size is suitable for most seniors. The smaller hook may be used to assist with zippers.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link.
2. Dressing Stick Aid and Shoe Horn (around $14)
Although this is another dressing aid with almost the same length as the previous (24.5″ long), this one differs from the previous because of its ergonomic feature. This detail converts the gadget on a convenient 2-in-1 tool that is made to assist not only getting dressed but also in putting on shoes. The Versatile push-pull S-hook with a non-slip cap allows for better control when handling clothing. Thus, with the dressing aid, you don’t have to bend over while taking off or putting on your shoes. From picking up clothing off the floor to pulling any essentials in the drawer, you can conveniently use this dressing stick with a hook.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
3. Asunflower Retractable Reach Stick (around $11)
If you believe you need an even longer dressing aid stick, this retractable stick is 29.13″ in shortest, 45″ in longest. It features a perfect telescopic pole for reaching the higher or different area without a ladder or bend down to get lower, this reach sticker can be also used as handy support for sagging and dipping clothesline. This aid device is very easy to grip, you can extend or shorten the clothing pole by rotating the pole and find the length you need. Additionally, the hanging hook is removable, with just one-touch button to remove it easily.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
Comparing the 3 Dressing Sticks:
Dressing Aids for Buttons and Zippers
| RMS Deluxe Dressing Stick | Dressing Stick Aid andShoe Horn | Asunflower Stick | |
| Dimensions | 28″ | 24.5″ | 29.13″ in shortest, (extends up to 45″) |
| Material | Wooden dowel. Aluminium hook. | Soft foam handle. Inside shaft plastic. Plastic hook. | Non-slip material handle. Alluminium Alloy Pole. Plastic hook. |
| Shape of the hook | “Kind of” S-shape hook with a smaller hook on the other extremity | S-shape hook with a shoehorn on the other extremity | Semi-circle hook with small tip handling |
| Advantages | Resistent. Its “weird” hook forms open possibilities for it to be used for a wide range of purposes. | Convenient 2-in-1 tool is made to assist in putting on shoes and getting dress. | Long reach pole that can be extended. |
4. Vive Button Hook and Zipper Pull Helper (around $10)
Talk about a simple little device that does the job! With this dressing aid, you eliminate the pain and frustration that comes from buttoning small buttons. This simple button hook has a non-slip handle that provides a comfortable secure grip while enabling independent dressing. Besides, it’s ingenious design allows us to use on any size of button, the button hook makes buttoning clothing hassle-free, perfect for those with limited dexterity and those having from arthritic fingers or tremors. It’s a very small device of 7.25″ x 1.25″.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
5. Vive Dressing Aid PocketDresser (around $19)
If you need a more complete dressing aid, Vive created another device that is not only a button hook and zipper puller. It is an all in one dressing tool that’s used for assistance with button hooks, zipper pulls, and shoelaces. The device has a large hook for pants button assistance; a small size hook for midsize shirt button assistance; a zipper/ shoelace pick for pulling or prying out zippers and untying shoes or releasing knots; and closed-loop for delicate materials with smaller buttons. And all this on a very small device of 4.9″ x 1.5″.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
6. Zipuller (around $15)
Zipuller’s is a zip puller (obviously!) that was created to help you with zipping and unzipping dresses and boots, but its unique design works on virtually all zipper types. It works on small and big zippers (max. 9 mm wide) even on invisible zippers.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
7. Zipper Pull Tabs (around $10 – 10 pack)
This zipper pull tab is also a very interesting, yet simple, device to help you zipping and unzipping clothes (jackets, backpacks, pants, purses & more). This dressing aid device is specifically useful for people with Arthritis that can be relieved from the pressure on finger joints. It is different from the other zip pullers because it is attached to the zipper in a more permanent way.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
Dressing Aids for Bra Fastening
8. Buckingham Bra Angel Dressing Aid (around $22)
Although this is a woman dressing aid, it is an extremely useful one, that’s why it made to the list. Women who have the use of only one arm due to surgery or stroke can be stymied when it comes to putting on a bra. With this dressing aid gadget, invented by a British occupational therapist, you are able to put on a bra using just one hand. So using this device, you can maintain independence and dignity when it comes to your most intimate dressing tasks.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
Dressing Aids for Putting Jewelry On
9. Miles Kimball Bracelet Tool Jewelry Helper (around $7)
This is another (mostly) woman dressing aid, but also very useful and maybe useful for men as well. Very basic, but solidly made, and does exactly what it’s advertised to do. If you have trouble fumbling with your bracelets to put them on and off, this device will work wonders! With this jewelry helper, it will take all of about 5 seconds, if that long.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
Dressing Aids for Putting Socks On
10. RMS Deluxe Sock Aid with Foam Handles (around $10)
This dressing aid gadget helps seniors put on socks or stockings easily and independently. Ideal daily living aid for those having difficulty to bend down, recovering from back, knee or hip replacement surgery or for those with limited mobility. This gadget has a contour shaped shell soft and flexible, specially designed for individuals who have weak hand strength, making it easy to insert socks onto the sock aid. It also features a comfortable grip with a slip-resistant foam pad that keeps sock or stocking from slipping off of the sock assist. Besides, the ropes are adjustable to your convenience.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
Dressing Aids for Putting Shoes On
11. Vive Shoe Horn (around $15)
This dressing aid is 24″ long, perfect length for putting on your shoes or boots while standing up. Save your back and avoid bending over constantly to take on and off your shoes. Besides, it features a comfortable grip.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
12. FootFunnel Shoe Assist (around $14)
This dressing aid spreads the heel of the shoe, making it easy to guide the foot along the smooth surface and into the shoe. This gadget is an ideal dressing aid for people who can’t reach down. And by the way, it’s also a great alternative to long-handled shoe horns.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
13. Lock lace (around $8)
With this original dressing aid, you can turn any pair of lace-up tennis shoes or sneakers into slip-ons. One size fits all (kids AND adults), quick to install, and easy to use. Each pair is suitable for lacing up one pair of shoesThe elastic laces conform to your foot for a custom fit. It stretches when you put your foot in the shoe (so you won’t damage the heel) and the lock will keep your laces at the perfect tension. If you suffer from arthritis, have trouble bending down to tie your shoes, Lock Laces are perfect for you.
For more information on this product click on the Amazon link here.
Related Questions:
What are the features to look for in easy to wear clothing for seniors?
As we age, it becomes more difficult to move, stretch, bend and twist making the process of dressing a bit of a challenge at times. So, in addition to dressing aids, we should look for clothes for seniors that not only look good but also feel good and most of all, clothes that are able to be used as independently as possible. Loss of independence in the daily task of dressing can be very difficult for the elderly, so we need to place their dignity first.
Features in clothing that meet these criteria are:
- Fabrics that are comfortable for seniors to wear;
- Fabrics that are easy to launder and wear without the need for ironing;
- Clothing that fits well to the body with waistbands, cuffs, and necklines (that are also comfortable, as mentioned before);
- Zipper pulls, snaps and buttons that are easy to grasp;
- Hook and loop closures that don’t challenge the individual who has arthritis or weakness in a limb from a stroke or other condition.
The Bottom Line
Nowadays, by using dressing aid, seniors can continue to live independently for a long time. I wish I have known some of these products before, it would have clearly made my dad’s life much easier. Fortunately, my mom can now benefit from some of these devices and continue living her life independently, missing her life companion of course, but overall, doing fine.
Independency is the key. Devices like these ones are ideal to encourage users to independently conduct the activities of daily living without caregiver help. Plus, these dressing aid for seniors are all extremely accessible, none of them being more than $25.
There is no reason not to give them a try!
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