Helpful Gadgets for Arthritis - Grooming & Persona Hygiene

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1: Around the House
Part 3: Travel
Part 4: Electronics

Introduction

Next up in our series of articles regarding helpful assistive devices for those who have arthritis, other limb weaknesses, or flexibility issues are tools that have been specifically tailored to help with grooming, dressing, or maintaining personal hygiene.
 
These include clothing choices that will help reduce pain & stiffness, various dressing aids to assist in putting on such wardrobe pieces, as well as general grooming & hygiene ableware tools that will either help extend one's reach or otherwise overcome other dexterity issues.
 
Most of these devices come in a wide range of price points and qualities, from economic to deluxe, and can be found in general stores such as Walmart or at specialty stores catering specifically to ableware and arthritis sufferer's.

Grooming & Personal Hygiene

Arthritis Gloves

• Compression gloves that increase blood circulation thus reducing pain, stiffness, and inflammation. May be full or fingerless or include other heating capabilities.
• Generic Magnetic Arthritis Gloves | Imak Arthritis Gloves | Veturo Infrared Arthritis Gloves | Thermoskin Arthritis Gloves | Therall Arthritis Gloves

Arthritis Socks

• Similar to their glove counterparts, these compression socks help with pain, inflammation, and stiffness within the ankles & feet. Also good for diabetes, low blood pressure, and other circulatory problems
• Imak Compression Socks | HPMM Health Padds | Silipos Arthritic Gel Sock
  

Button Aids & Zipper Pulls

• Simple tool for those who lack the finger dexterity for easily opening & closing buttons or zippers on various pieces of clothing, ranging from shirts to jeans.
• MaxiAids Pocketdresser | Apex Medical Zipper and Button Puller | Briggs Healthcare Button Aid | Kinsman Model Button Aid/ Zipper Pull | Maddak Rotating One Hand Button Aid/Zipper Pull
  

Dressing Aid

• Long adapted dressing tools with hooks that help those with limited mobility push & pull clothing into their proper placement.
• Dress EZ | Sammons Preston Economy Dressing Stick | Vive Dressing Stick | Maddak Shoe Horn/Dressing Stick | Shock Aid Dressing Aid with Sponge | Juvo Dressing Aid & Shoe Horn
  

Sock Aids

• Dressing aids specifically tailored for ease of use when putting on or taking off socks for those with limited mobility.
• Generic Sock Aid Puller | Fabrication Enterprises Flexible Sock Aid | Sock Horse Easy Sock Aid | Easy On/Easy Off Sock Aid Kit | Kinsman Foot Socker | Kinsman Sock Genie | Carex Sock Aid | Mercer Sock Aid with Foam Handles

Shoe Valet

• Similar to the Sock Aids only these long tools have been specifically tailored for those with limited mobility who have trouble bending over to pull on or off their footwear.
• Shoe & Boot Valet | Alimed Shoe Aid | Maddak Shoehorn & Sock Remover | Kinsman Sock-N-Shoe Aid | North Coast Medical Footfunnel | Sammons Preston Sock-N-Shoe Aid

Bathing Aids

• Sponges on long handles that help extend the user's reach when it comes to cleaning one's feet, back, or other hard-to-reach spots without bending or stretching.
• Lifestyle Essentials Long Bath Sponge | Mercer Long Handle Contoured Bath Sponge | Kinsman Contoured Long Handle Bath Sponge | Sammons Preston Long Scrub Sponges | EZ Reach Back Brush | Briggs Healthcare Bath Sponge w/Soap Holder | Easy Comforts Long Bath Brush | MaxiAids Long Handle Bath Sponge
  

Foot Brushes

• Similar to the general bathing aids & sponges, these combo sponge & brush tools have been specifically shaped to more easily clean the feet without the need for bending over.
• Dr. Joseph's Footbrush | WalterDrake Long Handled Foot Brush | ADL Essentials Foot Scrub Brush with Sponge | Easy Feet Foot Scrubber | EasyComforts Soapy Toes Foot Scrubber | Mercer Foot Brush w/ Sponge Tips | Soapy Soles Elite Foot Brush | The Footmate System
  

Personal Hygiene Wipers

• Long handled assistive tools for those who may have trouble using toilet paper & other hygiene wipes due to dexterity or flexibility issues.
• Briggs Self-Wipe Bathroom Toilet Aid | Ideaworks Long Reach Comfort Wipe | EasyComforts Long Reach Comfort Wipe | Jobar Long Reach Comfort Wipe | Buckingham Easywipe | Sammons Preston Toilet Aid | FreedomWand Toilet Tissue Aid | Bottom Buddy Toilet Self Wipe Aid