A dressing stick is a specialized mobility aid designed to help individuals maintain independence when getting dressed. This tool extends the user’s reach, making it possible to manipulate clothing without bending, straining, or twisting the body. It is helpful for people recovering from hip or knee surgery, or those with back stiffness or limited shoulder movement. Learning the proper technique allows users to manage their daily routine with greater ease and safety.
Understanding the Dressing Stick Components
The typical dressing stick is a lightweight rod, often made of plastic or wood, usually measuring between 24 and 30 inches long. This length offers the necessary extension to comfortably reach the lower body or upper back. One end features a small, open C-shaped hook, used for threading or catching clothing tags, belt loops, or zipper pulls.
The opposite end incorporates a larger, rubberized push-pull hook. This hook is designed for pushing garments away, such as nudging a sock off the heel, or for pulling heavier items like pants up the leg. Users should hold the stick toward the middle section, maintaining a firm grip for precise control.
Step-by-Step Guide for Putting on Clothing
Putting on lower body garments begins with positioning the item correctly while sitting on a stable surface. Use the smaller C-hook to open the waistband or the sock cuff, ensuring the opening accommodates the foot. The garment should then be placed on the floor in front of the feet.
For socks, the stick holds the cuff open while the foot is pushed into the opening. Once the toes are inside, the larger push-pull hook is inserted into the fabric on the heel side. The user then pulls the stick straight back and up, sliding the sock over the heel and onto the ankle.
Pants follow a similar initial threading; the foot is inserted into the leg opening while the stick holds the waistband steady. Once the foot is through, the larger hook catches a belt loop or the inner seam near the ankle. The stick is then pulled upwards to slide the pant leg over the knee.
This upward pulling motion requires small, controlled increments, alternating between the left and right legs to prevent bunching. Once the pants are around hip height, the stick hooks the waistband at the back. A final, firm pull brings the garment fully into position without requiring torso flexion.
Techniques for Taking Off Garments
Removing clothing requires focusing on pushing rather than pulling, utilizing the larger push-pull hook. To remove a shirt, the user hooks the larger end onto the collar or the back of the shoulder fabric. A controlled push forward helps slide the garment off the shoulder and down the arm.
For sleeves, the hook snags the cuff, pulling it down until the hand is exposed, then pushing the sleeve off the arm. This motion is repeated on the opposite side, taking care not to force the stick through the fabric.
Taking off pants involves hooking the larger end onto the waistband or a belt loop near the hip while seated. The user pushes the garment downward, alternating sides to prevent the waist from catching on the hips. The stick’s length allows the user to push the pants down past the knees and off the feet onto the floor.