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Self care

Dressing aids included on TAP

Lesson: 1 of 6
Topic: 3 of 3
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Different dressing aids

Instruction

In this topic you will learn more about the dressing aids included on TAP.

Reach and grab tool

Reach and grab tools:

  • Help a person to reach for and pick up clothes, socks or shoes
  • Can be used to pull on trousers, shorts, or skirts.

A person is sitting on a chair. They hold a reach and grab tool in their right hand with the trigger handle pressed. The grasping claw grips a skirt which is being pulled up over the persons right leg.

Reach and grab tools have a:

  • Grasping claw at one end to pick up and hold clothes and shoes
  • Pole to make it easier to reach
  • Trigger handle to work the grasping claw.

Some reach and grab tools have different lengths of pole, to suit people of different heights.

The trigger handle may be difficult to use for people with weakness or pain in their fingers or hands.

A reach and grab tool with a plastic trigger handle, connected to a grasping claw with an aluminium pole.

Dressing stick

Dressing sticks can:

  • Help a person to pull clothes on and off the upper and lower body
  • Be used for reaching clothes, such as unhooking them off a hanger or hook
  • Pull zips open and closed.

A person holds a dressing stick in their right hand. The s shaped hook lifts the sleeve over the shoulder.

Dressing sticks have a:

  • C shaped hook at one end. This may be used to pull zips open or closed.
  • S shaped hook at the other end. This can be used to unhook clothes hanging up. It can also be used to hook and move clothes.

A long stick with an s shaped hook at one end, and a c shaped hook at the other.

Button hook and zip puller

Button hook and zip pullers can be used to:

  • Do up and undo buttons
  • Pull zips open and closed.

A person uses the diamond shaped hook on a button hook and zip puller to do up a button on their shirt. The diamond shaped hook is placed over the button and is through the buttonhole.

A person uses the c shaped hook on a button hook and zip puller to close a zip on their shirt. The c shaped hook is placed through the hole in a zipper.

Button hook and zip pullers have a:

  • Diamond shaped hook at one end to pull buttons through holes
  • C shaped hook at the other end to pull zips.

A short stick with a c shaped hook at one end, and a diamond shaped hook at the other.

Sock aid

Sock aids help a person to pull socks or stockings on over feet.

This dressing aid is easier to use with two hands.

A person has a sock over the sock aid and is pulling up on the two cords to pull a sock on. The person sits on a stool.

Sock aids have a piece of flexible, shaped plastic with two cords attached to the ends.

Long handle shoe horn

Long handle shoe horns help a person get their foot into or out of shoes.

A person has a long handle shoe horn placed in the back of their shoe to help slide their foot in. The person sits on a chair.

Long handle shoe horns have a long handle to reach down to the back of the shoe while sitting or standing.

A long smooth piece of plastic that is curved at one end. There is a small round handle at the other end.

Trying different dressing aids

Activity

  • Collect the different dressing aids you have access to.
  • While sitting down, try using each of the dressing aids.

Examples include:

1. Reach and grab a piece of clothing on a shelf or table with one hand using the reach and grab tool.

A person uses a reach and grab tool to pick up a hat off a table. The person is sitting down next to the table.

2. Pull on a shirt or a pair of trousers with one hand using a dressing stick.

A person holds a dressing stick in their right hand. The s shaped hook lifts the sleeve over the shoulder.

3. Fasten a zip using the c shaped hook on a dressing stick. Compare to using the zip puller on a button hook and zip puller.

A person uses the c shaped hook on a dressing stick to do up a zip.

4. Do up and undo a button with one hand using the button hook.

A person uses the diamond shaped hook on a button hook and zip puller to do up a button on their shirt.

5. Using two hands, pull a sock on over your foot using a sock aid.

A person has a sock over the sock aid and is pulling up on the two cords to pull a sock on.

6. Get your foot in and out of a shoe using a long handle shoe horn.

A person sitting down uses a long handle shoe horn to put on shoes. The shoe horn is placed behind their heel and in the back of their shoe.

Reflection

  • How did you find using the different dressing aids?
  • Were some easier to use than others?

Discuss with your colleagues.

Using more than one dressing aid

A person may benefit from more than one dressing aid. This depends on the types of difficulties they have with getting dressed or undressed.

Question

Ejaz, a young woman, uses a wheelchair on the pavement next to a car park.

Meet Ejaz

Ejaz is a fit 24 year old. She has a spinal cord injury and cannot move her legs.

Ejaz lives alone and usually dresses without assistance.

Ejaz has injured her shoulder. She is having difficulty with the physical skills of getting dressed and undressed, including:

  • Reaching for her clothes
  • Pulling clothes on and off her injured shoulder.

Which dressing aids may assist Ejaz?

Select and click to check answers.

Reach and grab tool

Correct!

A reach and grab tool may assist Ejaz to reach for and pick up her clothes and shoes.

Dressing stick

Correct!

A dressing stick may assist Ejaz to pull clothes on and off her injured shoulder.

Button hook and zip puller

Incorrect.

Ejaz has not described difficulty doing up and undoing fasteners such as buttons and zips. It is important to ask Ejaz if she has any difficulty with fasteners.

Sock aid

Incorrect.

Ejaz has not described difficulty putting on her socks. It is important to ask Ejaz if she has any difficulty with putting on her socks.

You have completed Lesson one!