Equipment
Daily living aids
Dressing, reaching, and picking things up. Small, inexpensive tools that return a task to the person rather than handing it to the caregiver.
How to use this page
Every item below is listed with what it is for, the price band to expect, and the brands you will actually see. Ask your occupational or physical therapist which of these fits before you buy: much of it is covered as durable medical equipment with a physician order.
About the product links on this page. Where we link to a specific product, we earn a commission if you buy through it. It does not change the price you pay, and it does not influence which equipment we cover.
Daily living aids: 7 items
Reach
Reacher grabber
Extend reach without bending
- Typical price band
- $10–$20
- Brands you will see
- Vive, RMS, Luxet
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- All, Limited reach
Washing and dressing, Reach
Adaptive dressing kit (bundle)
Starter bundle of dressing aids
- Typical price band
- $20–$35
- Brands you will see
- Vive, RMS
- Typical rating
- ~4.5★
- Commonly used for
- Rehab starter
Grip and dexterity, Washing and dressing
Button hook / zipper pull
One-handed buttoning/zipping
- Typical price band
- $8–$14
- Brands you will see
- Vive, RMS
- Typical rating
- ~4.4★
- Commonly used for
- Stroke, Arthritis, ALS hands
Reach, Washing and dressing
Dressing stick
Pull up clothing without bending/reaching
- Typical price band
- $10–$15
- Brands you will see
- Vive, RMS, Fanwer
- Typical rating
- ~4.5★
- Commonly used for
- Stroke, Hip
Reach, Washing and dressing
Long-handled shoehorn
Shoes on while seated
- Typical price band
- $8–$14
- Brands you will see
- Vive, RMS
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- General
Reach, Washing and dressing
Sock aid / stocking aid
Put on socks without bending
- Typical price band
- $10–$18
- Brands you will see
- Vive, RMS, BodyHealt
- Typical rating
- ~4.4★
- Commonly used for
- Hip, Limited bend
Grip and dexterity, Washing and dressing
No-tie / elastic shoelaces
One-handed shoe fastening
- Typical price band
- $8–$14
- Brands you will see
- Xpand, HICKIES
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- One-handed
What these tools are actually for
Each one hands a task back to the person instead of handing it to you. That matters beyond convenience. Doing something yourself, slowly and imperfectly, is usually worth more than having it done for you quickly.
Most of these solve reach, not strength
A reacher, a long shoehorn, a dressing stick: all of them extend how far someone can get to. If the real limit is grip or strength rather than reach, these will disappoint, and a built-up handle or a universal cuff is the better answer.
Dressing is easier sitting down
Weaker leg into the trousers first, stronger leg out first. Sitting on a stable surface with the clothes laid within reach does more than any single gadget on this page.
Buy for the task, not the set
Dressing kits bundle several tools together and usually include two the person will never touch. If one specific task is the problem, buy the one tool for it.
Guides on this site
Before you buy anything
Check our equipment coverage guide first. Many of these items are covered as durable medical equipment, and a loan closet or a rental is often the better call than buying. Product links on this site earn a commission. It never changes which equipment we cover.