Low-risk AT for the laundry.

Welcome to our quick guide on low-risk assistive technology (AT) for the laundry, part of our AT for everyday living series. This resource explores simple, off-the-shelf items that can help older people perform essential laundry tasks independently. It also offers practical tips for support workers and coordinators on how to combine these items with other reablement strategies.

On this page, you’ll discover simple, low-risk assistive technology (AT) to help older people perform essential laundry tasks independently.

There are several reasons why being able to clean clothes and linens independently is important for a person’s quality of life.

Cleaning clothes and linens helps people maintain their personal hygiene and contributes to:

A tidy living environment free from hazards
A sense of routine
Feelings of pride and self-confidence

Low-risk AT is a reablement strategy, as it provides practical support for older people to do things for themselves.

This page will also explore other reablement strategies that can be used alongside AT to help older people perform essential laundry tasks, including:

Building capacity
Modifying the task
Adapting the environment
Providing information

If you don’t know what ‘low-risk AT’ means or are unfamiliar with these reablement strategies, don’t worry; you’ll learn about them in the following sections.

By the end of this page, you’ll be able to help your clients identify AT and other reablement strategies that can promote their independence in the laundry.

What is low-risk assistive technology (AT)?

Low-risk AT is a reablement strategy. It refers to aids, equipment, or devices that can usually be purchased ‘off the shelf’. These items also have low potential for causing harm, and they can be implemented and used with minimal training or professional expertise.

Low-risk AT helps people maintain their independence and perform daily tasks more easily, which are core parts of the wellness and reablement approach.

Complementary reablement strategies

In this section, we’ll explore some other reablement strategies that can be used alongside AT to help your clients achieve their goals for daily living.

Building capacity: Enhancing the skills and abilities a person needs to perform daily tasks with greater confidence and independence.
Modifying the task: Adjusting how a task is performed to make it easier, safer, or more effective for a person to complete.
Adapting the environment: Changing a person’s surroundings to make it easier for them to perform daily tasks.
Providing information: Offering relevant details and guidance about available services, resources, and support options that can enhance a person's ability to care for themselves at home.

Washing Clothes

Laundry can be a challenging task for so many reasons. The assistive devices listed on this page can help people experiencing difficulty with pain, weakness, fatigue, vision impairment, and poor balance or fear of falling.

A pink basket, a purple basket, and a green basket

Sorting baskets

Using colour-coded baskets to sort laundry can help older people who have difficulty lifting, carrying, or moving items. The baskets eliminate double handling by sorting clothes before they go into the washing machine.

A long-handled reacher with suction cups on the reaching mechanism

Heavy-duty, long-handled reacher

These reachers assist people with hip, knee, or back pain, or concerns about their balance, in safely removing clothes from a washing machine or dryer below waist height.

A light pink mesh wash bag with some clothing inside

Mesh wash bags

These mesh wash bags hold multiple clothing items, making them helpful for people who want to avoid repeatedly bending down to the washing machine or dryer, though they may be heavier when unloading wet clothes.

Bump dots

These can be placed on the washing machine or dryer to show commonly used functions, such as the 'Start' button, making it easier for visually impaired people to press the right button.

Drying clothes

Clothes drying racks are helpful because they allow users to hang laundry indoors or outdoors under cover, so they don’t have to rely on good weather and can avoid hazards in the garden.

A freestanding drying rack with clothes on it

Free-standing drying racks

These are great for people who can't reach high. They come in various sizes, including those for sheets. Users must make sure the rack is in a secure position and avoid using it for balance. Users should also exercise caution in high winds, as the rack may blow over.

A wall mounted drying rack holding some towels

Wall-mounted drying racks

These are great for people who cannot reach high to hang clothes, as they can be installed at the desired height. They are also helpful for drying small loads.

A purple clothes peg holding a white sheet in place

Arthritis-friendly clothes pegs

These pegs are helpful for people with sore joints or weakness in their hands. They have a soft grip and a broad holding surface, requiring little pressure to use.

Laundry trolleys

These are helpful for people who lack the strength or balance to carry a basket. They eliminate bending while hanging out laundry and can be used indoors to transport clean clothes between rooms. Note that these should not be used in place of a walking aid.

Ironing clothes

Lightweight Iron

These are helpful for people with upper limb weakness or joint pain. If your client is having difficulty holding their existing iron, consider lighter options. Ensure the base of the iron is easy glide.

Garment steamer

Garment steamers can be handheld or part of a station. They eliminate the need for an ironing board, allowing clothing to hang at a convenient height for those with restricted movement. Caution: See 'Considerations before use'.

Tabletop ironing board

These eliminate the need for heavy boards and reduce floor clutter. Check the surface where the board will be placed; a non-slip mat may be required to prevent slipping or scratching.

Maximise the benefits of this AT with these considerations and reablement strategies:

Useful resources

Making Choices, Finding Solutions (MCFS): The MCFS guide is designed to help older adults find and choose simple assistive devices for all areas of life. It includes suggested devices available from well-known retailers and reliable online stores, as well as useful tips and advice from occupational therapists.
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.
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 devices 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.

Next steps

Low-risk assistive technology (AT) and helpful reablement strategies can assist your clients in managing their laundry tasks independently.

By encouraging your clients to maintain their independence, these strategies can improve their dignity, confidence, and ability to age well.

If you want to learn more about integrating assistive devices into your care planning, please email us at keepable@ilaustralia.org.au or click 'Contact Us' below.

We also provide tailored presentations on wellness and reablement for teams wanting to enhance their knowledge and skills, just ask us about it via email or complete the contact form below!

Thank you for your commitment to wellness and reablement. By helping your clients do things for themselves, you support them in living better for longer in their home and chosen community.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that while brand names may appear on this site, their inclusion does not imply our endorsement. Branded images are sourced from our affiliated organisation, NED (National Equipment Database).