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As we age it becomes increasingly difficult to do things that we once were able able to do quite easily. We might notice that we cannot move as fast or stand for longer periods without causing strain or discomfort. The ability to complete activities of daily living are often under appreciated since they become such a habit, so it's no surprise that we forget how challenging simple chores can be until we aren't able to complete them anymore. So if there was something out there that could make a few of your every day tasks more manageable, wouldn't you want to know?!
We know you've seen this one, used for picking up items off of high shelves and items off of the floor. But what you may not have thought about is this reachers ability to assist you with putting on your pants, taking off your socks, or other tasks that you may be completing that require excessive bending.
So how would a reacher really help you put your pants on? I'm so glad you asked! Imagine you're sitting at the edge of the bed and your clean clothes are sitting next to you. You're planning on getting dressed for the morning. You grab your underwear, bend over to thread your foot in, you sit back up. You bend over again to thread your other foot in. Now you have to repeat the same steps with your pants. You haven't even had breakfast yet and your arthritis is already acting up.
Or maybe you physically can't reach your feet to be able to put your pants. As a result, your loved one has been doing it for you, bending over and exhausting THEIR back. Well look no further, here's your Occupational Therapy tutorial on how to use a long handled reacher to put on your pants.
2. Sock Aide
First question you're gonna ask is what on earth is a sock aide?! But don't worry, I'm about to explain to you the magic that is the sock aide. A device created to allow the individual using it to be able to put their socks on without ever having to bend over. What we hear a lot in the rehab world is the complaint about the socks. Unable to bend due to back pain or maybe you used to bring your foot across the other leg in a cross cross style and now you knees and hips just aren't as flexible and that isn't possible.
This is where the sock aide comes in. The device can be purchased with two handles or one as to be completed with one hand. The concept is that you place the sock on to the device itself while you hold the sock aide in your lap. After the sock is on the device, you toss it down to your feet and place the first foot all the way through the sock and then repeat on the other foot. Simple right? I'll show you.
3. Button Hook
For those with arthritis, or any need for assistance with managing smaller items, buttons on clothing can be an extremely difficult task. Having to rely on someone else to button a shirt or even just that one button on a pair of your favorite jeans may be a painful experience. Luckily there is a solution! No more asking your loved one to help you and no more struggling for 5 minutes before finally deciding to wear the pull over shirt that doesn't have any buttons at all. The tool is called a button hook and this is how it works!
First you place the this wire through the button slot towards where the actual button is.
Next you wrap the wire around the actual button.
Then you pull the button through the button opening.
SIMPLE AS THAT.
Not only is it simple many also come with a thick ergonomically designed handle making it even easier to hold onto and manage the button without anyone's assistance.
Looking for an alternative to the button hook? Try magnets! Although we do not recommend magnetic clothing for individuals with pacemakers or implanted medical devices, you can always consult your MD to see if this might be an option for you. Tommy Adaptive is a Tommy Hilfiger product designed not just for individuals with disabilities but also for anyone struggling with clothing management. Not only have they created awesome products like magnets as opposed to buttons, they also keep up the classic button up style that looks exactly like any other button. Using their magnetic technology Tommy Adaptive has also created a zipper that can be completed with just one hand.
Stylish design, you wouldn't even know it is made with magnets.
But yet, easy to put on with no added struggle of buttons.
One of the easiest adaptions to clothing management is the elastic waistband. Although most may think of sweat pants or yoga pants when they think elastic, there are actually many styles and more formal pants offered with elastic waistbands. Made for less stress with buttons and zippers while also looking stylish and comfortable.
These classic jeans made with an elastic waist are another of Tommy Adaptive's signature styles made to put on with ease for those with any difficulty donning pants or finding it difficult to look stylish while also being functional.
Elastic waistbands have come a long way and are now being made seamlessly into most clothing without anyone being able to tell they're there. Even if style is not your main concern, function definitely should be and elastic waistbands are a simple concept making getting dressed that much simpler.
5. Velcro
We've all seen the classic velcro shoe. White, with two 1 inch straps going across the front, indicating that you need help putting on your shoes. Shoes these days have come a longgg way. The old, outdated white velcro shoe is a thing of the past. Velcro shoes come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and even ones that don't look much like velcro. Don't believe us? See for yourself.
Think that velcro is simply reserved for shoes? WRONG! Velcro can be used for many adaptions but one of the most stealthy, and stylish ones I've seen so far is the use of velcro in pants the way Tommy Adaptive does it. Seriously, ingenious.
Seriously, you would never even know they have velcro the way these pants are designed. If you're looking for adaptions for new clothing that have modifications already built in then check out these Tommy Adaptive Pants!
Whether you are looking to buy a few new pieces that are already modified or use a modification for something you already own (like a button hook) we have an adaption for you!
The information you need...Straight Up!
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