Many seniors have limited range of motion, pain, or tremors in the back, hips, or hands. They may find that putting on their own socks and shoes is difficult or impossible. Depending on someone else to put on socks and shoes may place a senior at risk for a fall if needing to get up when a caregiver is not immediately available and can leave the senior and caregiver feeling frustrated.
Some older adults may be accustomed to donning socks while standing. Simply sitting down before placing socks and shoes on the feet may decrease the likelihood a loss of balance and a potential fall. People with limited range of motion may find that they can cross one ankle over the opposite knee more easily than lifting the knee straight up. Exercise classes like yoga may help people to improve range of movement as well as improve balance. Some seniors may also benefit from service animals, which are specially trained to meet a person’s special needs.
Seniors Who May Benefit From Adaptive Devices for Dressing
A wide range of adaptive devices, also known as assistive aids or assistive devices, are available to help with dressing. These devices may enable seniors to achieve a higher level of self-care and greater independence.
People experiencing difficulty dressing who may benefit from assistive devices for putting on socks and/or shoes include, but are not limited to, seniors with:
- arthritis or bursitis
- hip replacement or surgery
- knee replacement or surgery
- multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s
- back pain due to degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, etc.
- stroke
- sciatica
- amputation
- ALS or Lou Gehrig Disease
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- limited range of motion
- a wish to minimize dressing times
When comparison shopping, look not only for price (including shipping if applicable) but also for:
- quality of workmanship
- directions for use
- variety of styles, colors, and sizes
- potential hazards
- guarantee
It is helpful to check to see that the adaptive product will safely accommodate one's own special needs before purchase. It is also important to ensure that socks and shoes are comfortable, safe, and in good repair before wearing.
How to Make Putting on Socks Easier
Seniors who have difficulty putting on socks may find a sock aid to be helpful. These devices typically have a mounting area around which a sock or hosiery is placed and long straps that enable the person to pull up the socks without having to significantly bend. These products typically cost between $15 and $30.
Easy Pull Sock Aids are carried by online retailers such as Active Forever and North Coast Medical. Supreme Medical offers regular sock aids and also those that are flexible, designed for compression stockings and people with edema (excess fluid) in the legs, ones designed for putting on pantyhose or stockings, and more. Sock Genie offers an aid for pulling up socks as well as a nice demonstration video.
How to Make Putting on and Taking off Shoes Easier
Several adaptive devices are available to help people to put on and take off a pair of shoes and typically range from $10 to $50. North Coast Medical and Cane Mart offer long-handled shoehorns. Long-handled grippers, like the Shoe and Boot Valet, may enable people to put on and take off shoes with only one hand and without significant bending.
Slip-on shoes are often easier to put on and remove, but many seniors have well-fitting shoes with laces. For example, walking shoes may be comfortable, provide adequate support, and tend not to slip off the feet like some shoes without laces.
One of the easiest ways to combine the safety of a lace-up shoe with the convenience of a slip-on style is with elastic laces. Elastic laces may not need to be re-tied once properly fit. Stores may sell elastic laces per pair or in bulk. It is helpful to know the length and width of shoestring desired by measuring the existing laces on the shoe. A few companies may size their laces by the number of eyelets.
Seniors may also want to consider using devices designed to tighten laces without tying them each time. Coilers shoelaces can be adjusted without needing to be tied. Lock Laces can lock elastic laces in place and allow for customized adjustment. Lace-amatic offers a locking tool in which laces can be tightened and loosened without bending.
Adaptive Devices May Offer Seniors Greater Independence
Many seniors may be depending on someone else to put on their socks and shoes. Some of these people might be helped with adaptive devices designed to help people to achieve a higher level of independence. This, in turn, may give a boost to a senior’s self-esteem and enable the senior to enjoy a more active, happier, and healthier lifestyle.
Click on photos below to enlarge pictures to see several examples of the products mentioned in the article above.
Seniors should check with a healthcare provider regarding individual special medical needs for socks and shoes to ensure that products do not pose a risk to existing medical conditions. This article is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice.
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
Join the Conversation