A shirt button can feel surprisingly small when finger joints are swollen, stiff or painful. Bending to reach socks may put strain through the knees, hips or back before the day has properly begun. Arthritis dressing aids are designed for these everyday moments: they reduce the grip, reach and balance demands involved in getting dressed, helping people maintain comfort, privacy and independence.
The right aid is not necessarily the most complicated one. Often, one well-chosen tool and a few changes to clothing can make the morning routine calmer for the person dressing and less physically demanding for a family member or care professional.
When dressing becomes difficult with arthritis
Arthritis affects people differently. Some people mainly struggle with painful hands and reduced grip strength; others have limited shoulder movement, poor balance, fatigue or difficulty bending after a joint replacement or during a flare-up. Cold mornings can also make stiffness more noticeable.
Dressing can therefore involve several separate challenges. Holding a button, pulling a zip, gripping a shoe heel, reaching feet or lifting a garment over the head may each be difficult for different reasons. Identifying the exact point where the routine breaks down is the best starting point for selecting an aid.
For example, a person who can put on a top independently but cannot fasten small buttons may benefit from a button hook. Someone who cannot safely bend to floor level may need a long-handled shoehorn and sock aid instead. Buying several products at once can be tempting, but a small, targeted change is often more useful and easier to learn.
Arthritis dressing aids that solve common problems
Button hooks and zip pullers
A button hook has a small wire loop that passes through a buttonhole, catches the button and pulls it through. It is particularly useful for shirts, cardigans and trousers where fingers cannot pinch, twist or hold a button securely. A larger, ergonomic handle can be easier to hold when hands are swollen or when grip is weak.
Some dressing tools combine a button hook at one end with a zip puller at the other. The zip puller hooks through the small hole in a zip tab, creating a larger point to hold. This can help with jackets, fleeces, trousers and boots. It is a practical choice where fine finger movement is limited, although a heavier zip or a stiff new garment may still need assistance.
Sock aids
A sock aid helps a person put on socks without bending fully to their feet. The sock is placed over a shaped cradle, then the foot is guided into the opening while straps are pulled from above. It can be especially helpful after hip or knee surgery, during periods of painful stiffness, or for people who feel unsteady when leaning forward.
There is a trade-off: sock aids work best with ordinary socks and a reasonably flexible ankle. Very tight compression hosiery, thick thermal socks or feet with significant swelling can be more difficult to manage. Compression garments should only be selected and used in line with advice from a healthcare professional, as the correct level of compression and fit matters.
Long-handled shoehorns
A long-handled shoehorn supports the heel into the back of a shoe without the need to crouch, twist or force the foot in. It is one of the simplest arthritis dressing aids, yet it can make a real difference for anyone with painful hips, knees, back or hands.
Look for a smooth, sturdy shoehorn with a handle that feels comfortable in the hand. A longer version suits people who need to stay upright, while a shorter design may be easier to control when dressing while seated. It is also worth choosing footwear with a supportive heel and a wide opening. A shoehorn cannot fully compensate for shoes that are too narrow, too rigid or difficult to fasten.
Dressing sticks and reaching aids
A dressing stick is a lightweight rod with hooks at either end. It can help pull a sleeve onto an arm, guide a waistband into place, push off socks or reach garments that have slipped beyond easy reach. This is useful when shoulder movement is restricted or one arm is weaker than the other.
It takes a little practice, particularly for loose clothing. Start seated in a stable chair with armrests if possible, and allow extra time for the first few attempts. The aim is not to rush, but to develop a reliable routine that avoids painful stretching.
Elastic laces and easy-fastening footwear
Shoelaces require a combination of bending, finger dexterity and grip. Elastic laces can turn lace-up shoes into slip-on footwear while still providing an adjustable fit. Alternative fastenings, such as touch-fastening straps or easy-grip zip tabs, can also reduce hand strain.
Footwear must still fit safely. Slipping into a shoe that is too loose increases the risk of catching a toe or losing balance. Check that the heel is secure, the sole offers suitable grip and there is enough room for any swelling, insoles or orthotics. For someone with diabetes, poor circulation or foot wounds, footwear choices should be discussed with an appropriate clinician or podiatrist.
Choose clothing that works with the aid
Dressing aids are more effective when clothing is selected with comfort and access in mind. Small, tight buttons and fitted sleeves can be frustrating even with a button hook. Larger buttons, front openings, elasticated waistbands and wider necklines generally need less hand strength and shoulder movement.
For people who need support with personal care, easy-dressing garments can reduce pulling, lifting and awkward repositioning. Front-opening nightwear, adaptive underwear and garments with carefully placed fastenings may make continence care, changing and washing less disruptive. In dementia care, anti-removal clothing can be appropriate where there is repeated undressing or removal of continence products, provided it is chosen respectfully, checked regularly and used as part of a person-centred care plan.
Fabric matters too. Soft, breathable materials help reduce irritation, while stretchy fabric can make dressing easier without feeling restrictive. However, very loose clothing may catch on walking aids or furniture, so the best option balances ease of dressing with safe movement.
Set up a safer dressing routine
A good routine can reduce fatigue as much as the equipment itself. Dressing while seated is usually safer for anyone who is unsteady, experiences dizziness or struggles to balance on one leg. Use a firm chair at a comfortable height rather than the edge of a bed or a low, soft sofa. Keep frequently used items within easy reach before starting.
It may help to dress the more painful or weaker side first, then remove clothing from the stronger side first when undressing. This reduces the amount of lifting and reaching needed from the affected joint. Loose garments are usually easier to put on before fitted layers, and socks should be fitted before standing to put on trousers or shoes.
Allow time for joints to warm up. A warm drink, a shower, prescribed pain relief taken as directed, or gentle movement may make the process more manageable. Avoid pushing through sharp pain, forcing a joint into position or standing on one foot to pull on clothing. These habits can increase strain and create a fall risk.
How to select the right aid
Before choosing, consider where dressing happens, whether the person dresses seated or standing, and how much hand control and reach they have. A product that works well in a demonstration may not suit someone with severe finger deformity, one-sided weakness or limited concentration.
Check handle thickness, weight, overall length and whether the aid can be cleaned easily. For care-home use, durable, clearly identifiable equipment helps staff maintain consistent routines. For home use, a simple aid that is kept beside the dressing chair is more likely to be used than one stored away in a cupboard.
An occupational therapist can offer valuable advice when dressing has become unsafe, when pain is worsening, or when several aids have not solved the problem. They can assess the person, their clothing, their bathroom or bedroom layout and their usual movements. This is particularly worthwhile after a fall, following surgery, or when a carer is experiencing back or shoulder strain during daily support.
Ferrucci Comfort’s easy-dressing range is built around the same practical principle: the right fastening, fabric and fit can preserve comfort and dignity while making care easier to manage.
A dressing aid should never make someone feel hurried or less in control. Set it up, practise at a quiet time, and adjust the routine until getting dressed feels like part of the day again rather than the hardest task in it.
