The most basic tasks become a struggle as you age and begin to experience mobility problems and a seemingly endless list of aches, pains, and problems. Wearing socks can be particularly problematic, as you need to bend over and stretch, something that you simply can’t do if you have serious back or leg problems.
Sock aids and stocking aids are designed to help with this issue, as they are simple tools that can help you to get dressed. They’re like grabbers/pullers combined with shoehorns, although the actual style and structure of these dressing aids can vary considerably.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the best sock assist tools to help you when putting on socks by yourself.
What to Look for in a Sock/Stocking Assist Device
The most basic tools are simple molded sock aids that work incredibly well and often assume the same shape and style. However, there are other dressing tools to consider as well, so it’s important to check the features and make sure it ticks the following boxes.
Ease of Use
Dressing assist tools can vary considerably as different manufacturers take different approaches. That’s especially true for sock assists, and it’s important to find the one that works best for you and your needs.
Versatility
If possible, you want a one-size-fits-all flexible sock aid, one that can help with socks of all thickness levels and sizes, while also assisting with compression stockings, hosiery, and pantyhose, if needed.
Durability
There’s no point in a sock tool that rips, tears, or breaks after just a few uses. It doesn’t matter how slick and lightweight it is—if it doesn’t last, it won’t suffice. Look for products made by well known brands and ones that are made using quality materials.
Reviews
What do other users of these products have to say? Do they rave about the ease-of-use and the quality, and are they still using it several years after buying or did it fall apart within a week?
User reviews can tell you all that you need to know, and that’s why we’ve chosen to highlight products that you can buy from Amazon.
The Best Stocking and Sock Aids for Elderly Users
The following products have many of the features that we outlined above. They provide great value for money and should last you for years to come.
RMS Deluxe Sock Aid
At just $10, this is an incredibly cheap but well-made product that does exactly what it promises to do. It features a plastic sleeve attached to two ropes, each fitted with slip-resistant foam handles.
Simply slide your sock onto the plastic slip, put your foot inside, and then pull the ropes. Your sock will slide on and the plastic will pop out, letting you move onto the next foot.
It works with most socks and stockings and the ropes can be tied at different lengths to suit users of varying heights.
RMS Deluxe Dressing Stick and Sock Remover
Sock sliders are great for putting your socks on, but they can’t help with taking them off. This dressing stick, however, does just that. It’s basically a wooden stick with plastic tools on each end. These tools can help you remove socks and shoes, pull zippers, and even retrieve items of clothing from your closet with no stretching and no bending.
It has a long handle to suit many different types of clothing and to work with users of varying heights.
RMS Hip Kit
The RMS Hip Kit provides a series of daily living aids aimed at individuals who have recently had a hip replacement. It includes the sock helper and long dressing aid outlined above, and there is also a plastic shoehorn, a leg lifter, a reacher/grabber, and a long handled round sponge for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
It’s available for a little over $30. At the time of writing, that’s roughly the same price as the long-handled dressing aid and the sock helper when purchased separately, making it a steal even if you don’t need those extra gadgets.
Vive Sock Aid Easy On and Off Slider
Royal Medical Solutions has pretty much cornered the market for quality dressing assist tools on Amazon, but it’s far from the only provider.
The Vive Sock Aid works in the same way as the RMS Sock Aid and is available for a similar price. It features foam grips and is slip-resistant, easy to use, and suited to many different types of sock.
For less than $10, you’ll get a durable and effective product made by one of the best names in the mobility business. You can’t argue with that.
Benefits of Wearing Socks
When it takes several minutes just to put your socks on in the morning, you may wonder why you bother at all. It seems to be trendy for younger people to go sock-less these days, so why not toss those socks away and join them? No one will bat an eyelid if you walk around in shoes without socks and if you want to go barefoot in your own home, who’s going to stop you?
All that being said, wearing socks can be beneficial in a number of ways.
Firstly, it could reduce the risk of fungal nail infections, which are very common in the elderly. You become more prone to these infections as you age, and every time you walk around barefoot you’re exposing yourself to them. Sweat can make the situation worse as well, and socks can make you sweat more, but wearing sweat-resistant socks, showering frequently, and regularly trimming your nails can help.
Socks will also keep your feet warm. Cold extremities are one of the many unfortunate side effects of getting old, but a nice pair of thick and warm socks can keep your feet nice and warm.
Last but not least, as you age, your nails get thicker and can twist, curve, and turn inwards. This is often the result of spending years in tight-fitting shoes. Socks can form a barrier between your feet and your shoes, potentially preventing damage to your nails, such as rips and splits.
Benefits of Wearing Compression Socks
Compression socks provide even more health benefits than standard socks and are recommended for many elderly people. They apply pressure to the lower legs, encouraging blood flow and preventing blood and water from pooling in the lower extremities. The benefits offered by compression stockings include:
- Reduced Edema: Edema is the build-up of water in the extremities and can result in puffy and watery feet.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis and Other Conditions: Compression socks are one of the first courses of preventative treatments for conditions like DVT.
- Reduced Pain: Pain and discomfort can result from conditions like edema and reduced blood flow, and when you fix these issues, that pain may subside.
Compression socks are also recommended if you are recovering from certain surgeries or you spend a long time sitting down, such as during long haul flights.
Conclusion: Simple Sock Helpers
Whether you’re a pregnant woman, an elderly person with limited mobility, or you have back problems and want some pain free dressing solutions, these sock aid kits are ideal. They may look like those useless gadgets you see on late-night infomercials, but if you have mobility issues, they are essential and can make a massive difference in your life.