Keep Able

Low-risk AT for dressing.

Welcome to our quick guide on low-risk assistive technology (AT) solutions for stress-free dressing, part of our AT for everyday living series. This resource explores simple, off-the-shelf items that can help older people 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-risk 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-risk AT, refers to assistive devices 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-risk AT can be considered a reablement strategy, as it provides practical support for older people 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 dressing aids 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 ageing and independence.

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.

A button hook and zip pull, a tool for fastening buttons and pulling up zips

Button hook and zip pull

Has 2 ends: A wire loop for fastening buttons, and a hook for pulling up zips.

Three zip pull loops, tools that can be attached to zippers to help pull them up

Zip pull loops

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.

A cuff and collar extended, a tool that can add extra space to cuffs and collars

Cuff and collar extenders

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:

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.

A dressing stick with hooks on the end designed to help pull up or push off clothing

Dressing stick

Has large hooks on one end to help pull up or push off clothes, socks, and shoes.

A long-handled reacher with a trigger on one end and a grabber mechanism on the other

Long-handled reacher

With a hand trigger at one end and a grabber mechanism at the other, this devices helps people pick up items without overstretching.

Maximise the benefits of this AT with these reablement strategies:

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.

A fabric sock aid with a nylon inner lining to help socks slide on easily

Fabric sock aid

Features a terry cloth outer lining and a nylon inner lining that keep socks secure while allowing the foot to slide in easily.

A plastic sock aid with notches on the side to help secure socks and slide them on easily

Flexible plastic sock aid

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.

A rigid sock aid with a lightweight plastic gutter to help pull socks into place

Rigid plastic sock aid

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.

A standing sock aid that sits on the ground and helps slip socks on without too much bending

Standing sock aid

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:

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.

A black long-handled shoehorn

Long-handled shoehorn

With an easy-grip, long-reach handle, this item is ideal for people who have difficulty bending down to put on their shoes.

Black no-tie laces on a pair of white low-top shoes

Elasticised shoelaces

Allow shoes to be slipped on without tying or untying the shoelaces.

An elastic, no-tie shoelace lock to secure shoelaces without bending down

Shoelace locks

Shoelace locks are elastic, no-tie fasteners that secure shoelaces in place, eliminating the need to bend down and tie them.

A black sand shoe with a zipper from the toes to the throat

Modified shoe designs

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:

Useful resources

For more comprehensive information on assistive technology for dressing, 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:

  • Making Choices, Finding Solutions (MCFS): 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.
  • LiveUp: 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.
  • The National Equipment Database (NED): 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: 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.

Next steps

Incorporating assistive technology (AT) and other reablement strategies for dressing can help your clients maintain their dignity, independence, and to age well.

If you're interested in learning more about how to integrate AT devices into your care planning, please email us at keepable@ilaustralia.org.au or click 'Contact Us' 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 supporting your clients to pursue healthy ageing journeys.