Equipment
Grooming and hygiene
Long-handled and easy-grip versions of everyday items. Dignity work, and usually the first thing a person wants back.
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.
Grooming and hygiene: 4 items
Grip and dexterity, Washing and dressing
Electric / weighted toothbrush
Oral care with dexterity loss
- Typical price band
- $10–$40
- Brands you will see
- Oral-B, Vive
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- Dexterity
Mostly in bed, Washing and dressing
No-rinse shampoo cap / body wash
Bedbound grooming
- Typical price band
- $8–$18
- Brands you will see
- Medline, Comfort Bath
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- Bedbound
Grip and dexterity, Vision
Easy-grip / magnifying nail clippers
Nail care with vision/dexterity loss
- Typical price band
- $10–$20
- Brands you will see
- Vive, ClipDifferent
- Typical rating
- ~4.4★
- Commonly used for
- Dexterity, Vision
Reach, Washing and dressing
Long-handled brush / comb
Hair care with limited shoulder ROM
- Typical price band
- $8–$15
- Brands you will see
- Vive, RMS
- Typical rating
- ~4.5★
- Commonly used for
- Shoulder ROM
Dignity work
This is usually the first piece of independence someone wants back, and the last thing families think to buy for. Almost everything on this page is inexpensive.
Long handles solve shoulders, built-up handles solve hands
A long handled brush or sponge helps when the shoulder will not lift far enough. If the difficulty is holding the thing at all, a built-up or easy-grip handle is the fix. The two look similar in a catalog and solve opposite problems.
Washing without a shower
No-rinse cleansers and shampoo caps make a proper wash possible in bed on the days the bathroom is out of reach. They are not a lesser option to fall back on. On those days they are the right option. See how to give a bed bath.
Keep whatever they can still do
If they can still wash their own face, hand them the cloth and wait. Speed is not the goal here, and taking the task over is easy to do without noticing.
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.