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Welcome to our quick guide on low-tech assistive technology (AT) solutions for stress-free dressing, part of our AT for everyday living series. This resource explores simple, off-the-shelf products that can help older adults dress independently while providing practical insights for care professionals to implement these tools effectively.
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In this resource, you will discover simple low-tech assistive technology (AT) products to help older adults dress themselves independently.
It might not seem like it because we do it every day, but dressing oneself can have an enormous impact on a person’s overall health and resilience – maintaining their balance, cognitive skills, sense of dignity, and other essential aspects of wellness.
Low-tech AT, also known as low-risk AT, refers to assistive products that:
- Can usually be purchased ‘off the shelf’
- Have low potential for causing harm
- Can be implemented and used with minimal training or professional expertise
Low-tech AT can be considered a reablement strategy, as it provides practical support for older adults to regain or maintain their confidence and capacity to do things for themselves.
In this resource, we will also explore other reablement strategies that could be implemented alongside AT to help your clients put on their own clothing. We have broadly defined these reablement strategies in the following three categories:
- Build capacity: This strategy focuses on enhancing the skills and abilities a person needs to perform daily tasks more independently and confidently.
- Modify the task: This strategy involves adjusting the way a task is performed to make it easier or safer for a person.
- Consider other supports: This strategy emphasises the use of additional resources, such as those offered by community organisations, to help maximise a person’s potential for independence without relying on continued support.
By incorporating these simple tools alongside other reablement strategies, you could support your client to achieve greater independence in activities that are important to them.
At the end of this resource, we will also link to some information on where to find these assistive devices, how to incorporate them into your care planning, and general tips for promoting healthy aging and independence.
Jump to a section of interest
Managing buttons and zips
Putting on and removing lower body clothing
Managing socks and stockings
Managing shoes and shoelaces
Managing buttons and zips
These assistive devices may be helpful for people who have difficulty manipulating buttons and zips, which could be due to joint stiffness in the hands, weakness in the hands, reduced sensation in the fingers, and tremors or shaking.
This tool has 2 ends: A wire loop for fastening buttons, and a hook for pulling up zips.
This product has two main parts: a ring and a looping attachment mechanism. Attach the loop to the zip, hook your finger into the ring, and pull up.
This product snaps onto buttons and adds extra space to cuffs and collars without the need to unbutton them.
Maximise the benefits of this AT with these reablement strategies:
In addition to using AT, it’s important to focus on building your client’s capacity to dress independently. Consider implementing these reablement strategies to enhance their overall dressing skills and promote their long-term independence:
· Refer your client to an occupational therapist or other relevant allied health professional for assessment and advice on improving strength, increasing joint flexibility, and managing pain.
· Support your client to participate in everyday activities and exercise programs that can help keep them and their hands healthy. The benefits of exercise and tips for keeping hands healthy can be explored at LiveUp. If a consumer wants to commence an exercise program, they should consult their service coordinator for guidance.
To complement the use of AT and further simplify the dressing process, consider implementing these reablement strategies to modify the task:
· Keep shirts buttoned up and slip them over the head
· Replace buttons with Velcro tabs for easier fastening
· Choose loose-fitting clothing items and/or those without buttons
· Improve lighting in the environment so the person can see the buttons more clearlyWhile assistive technology (AT) and other reablement strategies can significantly enhance a person’s ability to dress themselves, others may benefit from additional support.
For instance, you could discuss with your coordinator about connecting your client with health-focused organisations, such as the Arthritis Foundation, that can offer tailored advice and resources for specific conditions affecting dressing.
You can also refer your client to LiveUp, a free healthy ageing guide that offers additional information and demonstrations on how to effectively use low-risk AT to make getting dressed easier.
Here are 2 video demonstrations designed to help you use a button hook tool correctly:
· How to Use A Button Hook | YouTube
· How To Unbutton Shirt With Button Hook | YouTube
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Putting on and removing lower body clothing
These assistive devices may be helpful for people who are unable to reach their feet to put on lower body clothing like underwear, pants, or skirts. This could be due to obesity, surgical precautions (e.g., if the person is not allowed to bend forward), breathlessness or dizziness, or pain or poor flexibility in the back, hips, or knees.
This product has large hooks on one end to help pull up or push off clothes, socks, and shoes.
With a hand trigger at one end and a grabber mechanism at the other, this product helps people pick up items without overstretching.
Maximise the benefits of this AT with these reablement strategies:
Here are a few things to consider before recommending the use of a dressing stick:
· The large hooks on one end are for pulling clothes up or pushing off pants, socks, and shoes.
· The small hook on the other end is for pulling up zips
· Instead of a small hook, some dressing sticks may have a rubber thimble that can also be used for pulling up or removing clothes.
· Moderate grip strength is needed to hold and use this product.The long-handled reacher requires more coordination and effort, as the user must maintain their grip on the trigger while pulling clothing up.
· Consider the person’s potential. Ask yourself, ‘Can this person improve their abilities over time so they may not need this equipment in the future?’
· Consider referring the person to a physiotherapist or other relevant allied health professional for advice on how to improve their joint flexibility, hand strength, and/or pain management.
· Strong, flexible hands are vital for dressing independently. Tips for keeping hands healthy can be explored at LiveUp.LiveUp is a free healthy ageing guide that also offers additional information and demonstrations on how to effectively use low-risk AT to make getting dressed easier.
· Elevate the foot with a footstool for easier reach.
· Choose loose-fitting, elastic-waisted pants for easier removal.
· Put skirts on over the head instead of stepping into them.
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Managing socks and stockings
These assistive devices may be helpful for people who are unable to reach their feet to put on socks and stockings. This may be due to obesity, surgical precautions (e.g., if they are not allowed to bend forward), breathlessness or dizziness, or pain or stiffness in the backs, hips, or knees.
This product features a terry cloth outer lining and a nylon inner lining that keep socks secure while allowing the foot to slide in easily.
This product features an ergonomically shaped plastic design and a notch to secure the sock in place – allowing it to accommodate large feet without stretching the fabric.
This product consists of a lightweight plastic gutter. The sock is fed onto the gutter, slipped over the foot, and then pulled into place without too much bending.
This product also comes with a doffer, a long-handled stick with a curved or hooked end that can function as a shoehorn.
Maximise the benefits of this AT with these reablement strategies:
Here are a few things to consider before recommending the use of a sock aid:
· Socks aids come in a variety of designs to meet different needs. It is essential to ask questions about your client’s specific needs, such as their level of mobility and hand dexterity, before deciding which sock aid to recommend for their situation.
· Sock aids require moderate to good hand strength, depending on the style. Rigid designs may need more strength for loading the sock.
· Most people need instruction or training to use sock and stocking aids effectively, and they may require several sessions.· Consider the person’s potential. Ask yourself, ‘Can the person improve their abilities over time so they may not need this equipment in the future?’
· Considering referring the person to a physiotherapist or other relevant allied health professional for advice on how to improve their joint flexibility, hand strength, and/or pain management.
· Strong, flexible hands are vital for dressing independently. Tips for keeping hands healthy can be explored at LiveUp.LiveUp is a free healthy ageing guide that also offers additional information and demonstrations on how to effectively use low-risk AT to make getting dressed easier.
· Use a footstool to raise the height of the foot and reduce bending. The person may be able to put on or take off socks without an aid by using a footstool to elevate the foot.
· Socks that are ‘non-binding,’ have ‘comfort tops’ without elastic, or are ‘loose fit’ are less restrictive and easier to put on and take off. These options may reduce the need for assistive equipment.
· Wear rubber gloves when putting on compression stockings to improve the grip on the fabric.
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Managing shoes and shoelaces
These assistive devices may be suitable for people who are unable to reach their feet to put on or take off shoes or manage laces.This could be due to obesity, poor vision, surgical precautions (e.g., if they are not allowed to bend forward), breathlessness or dizziness, reduced sensation in the hands or fingers, poor coordination of the hands or fingers, or pain or stiffness in the back, hips, or knees.
With an easy-grip, long-reach handle, this product is ideal for people who have difficulty bending down to put on their shoes.
These products allow shoes to be slipped on without tying or untying the shoelaces.
Shoelace locks are elastic, no-tie fasteners that secure shoelaces in place, thereby eliminating the need to bend down and tie them.
Zips and Velcro fasteners make the opening of the shoe wider and easier to put on. They require less coordination than laces, but the user still needs to be able to reach their feet.
Maximise the benefits of this AT with these reablement strategies:
Before deciding which assistive device to recommend to your client, it’s important to consider the specific reasons why they may be finding it difficult to manage their shoes and shoelaces:
· Can they not reach their feet?
· Can they not see the fasteners?
· Do they have poor coordination of their hands or fingers?Understanding these factors could help you determine which product may best suit their needs.
· Consider the person’s potential. Ask yourself, ‘Can the person improve their abilities over time so they may not need this equipment in the future?’
· Consider referring the person to a physiotherapist or other relevant allied health professional for advice on how to improve their joint flexibility, hand strength, and/or pain management
· Strong, flexible hands are vital for dressing independently. Tips for keeping hands healthy can be explored at LiveUp.
LiveUp is a free healthy ageing guide that also offers additional information and demonstrations on how to effectively use low-risk AT to make getting dressed easier.
· When putting on shoes or tying/untying shoelaces, elevate the foot on a footstool. This can help the person reach their feet more easily while reducing strain on their back and legs.
· You could direct the person to a specialty shoe store that has fitting specialists, and a range of specialty shoes designed to cater to individual foot needs. These stores provide personalised assistance and can help ensure your client finds the right footwear for their comfort and support.
· If your client’s difficulty with managing shoes is related to deformities (e.g., bunions), foot pain, or wounds or fragile skin, you should report this to your client coordinator. Your client coordinator can then refer your client to a podiatrist or doctor as appropriate.
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Useful resources
For more comprehensive information on assistive technology, please feel free to explore these resources. They offer in-depth guidance on the products discussed here, as well as broader insights into maintaining independence and wellness as people age.
The MCFS guide is designed to help older adults find and choose simple assistive products for all areas of life. It includes suggested products available from well-known retailers and reliable online stores, as well as useful tips and advice from occupational therapists.
The Assistive Technology (AT) Essentials Guide introduces the benefits of AT and the role it plays as part of a wellness and reablement service delivery approach. The guide aims to build awareness and product knowledge for home care providers and can be accessed as an eBook or downloaded as a PDF.
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LiveUp is an online healthy ageing guide that offers free personalised suggestions for healthy ageing. Users can take the LiveUp quick quiz to find advice, local activities, and assistive products tailored to their needs, so they can age their own way.
NED is Australia’s largest online database of assistive technology (AT). It serves as a comprehensive resource for people, carers, and allied health professionals to find, compare, and purchase AT – helping people with disabilities or mobility issues to live more independently.
Reablement Essentials are practical guides researched and curated by our Sector Support and Development team. These guides can help you better understand key wellness and reablement concepts, communicate their value to your clients, and ultimately empower your clients to pursue happier, healthier, and more independent lives.
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Next steps
Incorporating assistive technology (AT) and other reablement strategies for dressing can promote confidence, autonomy, and resilience in the people you support.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to integrate AT into your care planning, please email us at keepable@ilaustralia.org.au or submit the ‘Connect with Keep Able‘ form below.
We also offer bespoke presentations on wellness and reablement for teams looking to enhance their knowledge and skills – ask us about it!
Thank you for your continued dedication to delivering proactive, person-centred care and adding more life to the years of your clients.
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