Assistive Devices to
Maximize Function:
Aids for Hygiene and Dressing
Think about a person who has
difficulty completing basic tasks
of personal hygiene or dressing.
What effects does this have
on the person’s life?
Difficulty in performing hygiene or
dressing can lead to
•Daily frustration
•Unwanted dependence
•Loss of ability to live in own home
•Decreased self-esteem
Assistive devices can maximize
person-environment fit.
They often make it possible for
a person to perform hygiene
and dress independently.
Before we start dressing,
let’s look at a few assistive
devices for hygiene.
People who have arthritis
often have difficulty grasping
small-diameter handles.
Using a toothbrush can be a challenge
in such a situation.
See the next slide for a low-cost solution.
Enlarge the diameter of the handle!
Wrap the handle in a washcloth and secure it with
rubber bands or string.
Or, insert the handle in a foam cylinder.
Note the suction cups on these brushes.
How might they be useful?
This is a nail brush. Suction cups anchor it
for use by a person who has hemiplegia.
Can you identify the other brush?
This is a denture brush, designed for use by
a person who has hemiplegia.
Now, let’s look at a few
assistive devices for
dressing.
A True Clinical Story:
Mr. D., a 74-year-old man who had severe
emphysema and congestive heart failure moved
to an assisted living facility after his wife died.
He used supplemental oxygen when dressing,
performing personal hygiene, and using his
walker. He often took an hour to dress in the
morning, because he needed frequent rest
breaks due to dyspnea.
After 2 years at the facility, he stopped
wearing socks.
Continued
Noticing the change, an astute nurse discovered
that Mr. D. stopped wearing socks because he
became too short of breath when he leaned over
and tried to put on his socks. Mr. D. was
independent and did not ask for help easily.
What assistive device is available to
help Mr. D. put on his own socks?
This is a sock aid. Note the large diameter
of the handles, for ease of gripping.
How does this device work?
Begin by inserting the sock aid into the sock.
The sock aid is ready. Let’s see it in use.
Lower the loaded
sock aid to the floor,
holding the handles
to guide it. Slip the
foot into the device.
Pull the handles
toward the body
and move the foot
forward into the
sock. As the foot
slides into the
sock, the sock aid
slides out past the
heel.
The sock
is on the
foot!
Remove the
sock aid by
lifting the
foot or
dropping
one cord
and pulling
the other to
the side.
Look again at the shape
of the sock aid and you
will see how it works.
Mr. D. had severe emphysema
and congestive heart failure. Can
you think of other conditions that
would make it difficult to lean
over and put on socks?
What happens if the person drops a sock on
the floor and can’t bend over to retrieve it?
A reacher comes to the
rescue!
Some people call this device
a grabber.
Reachers have many uses beyond
retrieving dropped clothing.
Let’s look at one more assistive
aid for dressing.
Ask yourself what conditions can
cause people to have difficulty
fastening buttons.
Make a brief list before you continue.
Examples of conditions that cause
difficulty fastening buttons:
•Arthritis (rheumatoid or osteoarthritis)
•Hemiplegia
•Parkinson disease
•Peripheral neuropathy in the fingers
How many of these conditions did you list?
Do you have other examples?
Assistive device for buttoning
One hand operates a button hook without
needing fine motor control.
Note the
large
diameter
handle
for ease
in
gripping.
• Many other assistive devices for
hygiene and dressing are available.
• Occupational therapists are
knowledgeable about these
assistive devices.
 If you are working with a person who has physical
difficulty with dressing, bathing, toileting, or
cooking, ask the physician or nurse practitioner
to provide a referral to an occupational therapist.
When you see an older adult
having difficulty with hygiene
or dressing, ask yourself:
•Would an assistive device
maximize this person’s
function?
•Should we request a referral
to occupational therapy?
Assistive Devices to Maximize Function
was prepared by Linda Felver, Ph.D., R.N.
for the Older Adult Focus Project, OHSU
School of Nursing.
Photographs by C. Van Son