Why Getting Dressed Can Become Difficult
Conditions like arthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and general frailty can make dressing one of the most frustrating daily tasks. Buttons are fiddly, socks are hard to reach, zips require dexterity, and pulling clothes over your head may cause pain or dizziness. Dressing aids and adaptive clothing are designed to overcome these specific challenges, helping you dress independently or with minimal help from a carer.
Essential Dressing Aids
Long-handled shoe horns: A 45-60cm shoe horn lets you put on shoes without bending down, reducing strain on the back and hips. Metal versions are more durable than plastic. Costs from £3-10.
Sock and stocking aids: A flexible plastic gutter or frame that holds the sock open while you slide your foot in, with long handles or cords to pull it up. Essential after hip replacement when bending restrictions apply. The Etac Socky and the Homecraft Stocking Aid are popular models (£5-15).
Button hooks and zip pulls: A button hook is a small wire loop on a handle that threads through the buttonhole, hooks the button, and pulls it through. A zip pull is a ring or handle that clips onto a zip slider, making it easier to grip. Combined button hook/zip pull tools cost around £3-8.
Dressing sticks: A long stick with a hook on one end and a push-cup on the other. Used to pull clothes onto shoulders, push sleeves off, and hook waistbands. Useful for people with limited shoulder movement or those who cannot reach behind their back.
Elastic shoelaces: Convert lace-up shoes into slip-ons. The laces stretch to allow the foot in and then spring back to hold the shoe snug. No tying required. From £3-6 per pair.
Adaptive and Easy-Wear Clothing
The adaptive clothing market has grown significantly in the UK. Key features to look for include magnetic closures instead of buttons (look identical to regular buttons but close with hidden magnets), Velcro fastenings hidden behind a button placket for a normal appearance, side-opening trousers and skirts that open fully for seated dressing, front-fastening bras with magnetic or hook closures, and open-back tops and nightwear for people who dress while seated.
UK brands specialising in adaptive clothing include Able2Wear, Silvert’s, IZ Adaptive, and Adaptawear. Many high-street retailers are also beginning to offer adaptive ranges. M&S has introduced easy-dressing features in some children’s and men’s lines.
Tips for Easier Dressing
Sit down to dress rather than standing, which is safer and uses less energy. Dress your weaker or painful side first and undress it last. Lay clothes out in the order you will put them on. Choose loose-fitting, stretchy fabrics that are easier to pull on and off. Avoid clothes that go over the head if you have shoulder problems, and opt for front-fastening tops instead. Slip-on shoes eliminate the need for bending to tie laces.