We are often asked about handy tools to make it easier to put on and take off shoes and stockings. As occupational therapists with many years of experience in the rehabilitation sector, we are happy to give you advice. Therefore, we would like to list the most useful and innovative tools for you below, which will enable you to put on your shoes and stockings yourself in no time.
Elastic shoelace from Quickshoelace
The quickest and easiest way to tie your shoes: an elastic lace that you don't have to tie but can snap on with one hand movement. This way you can close the shoe with one hand, ideal for people with hemiplegia or amputation. No more velcro shoes or flip-flops. Wear the shoes you want and use the elastic shoelaces to increase your independence!
Zubits
A very handy invention for people who cannot tie the shoes on their own are the Zubits. With one hand you can click the magnets together so that your shoe is attached. You can release the magnets without moving your hands by moving your foot forward.
UNIKIA Shoe Helper
The Unikia Shoe Helper is a handy shoehorn designed to help you put on or take off shoes without bending down. The Shoe Helper can stay straight on the base. For people with back problems or reduced mobility, this is a very handy tool. Moreover, you can fold it in the middle so it doesn't take too much space.
Boot servant
Simple, but super handy. Take off your shoes with the help of a bootsmith. This tool was developed for equestrian sports, but is also useful for people who are less mobile and have difficulty bending down.
Stockings tool Freya
A stockings aid is an ergonomic tool to put on - and take off your stockings without having to bend down. Existing pullers usually only focus on putting on. This tool also focuses on taking the stockings off again. Thanks to the handy 'shoehorn' in combination with a pedestal, minimal effort is required to put on and take off your stockings.
Rolly Sigvaris
Do you wear support stockings and is it quite a job to put them on every time? The Rolly Sigvaris stocking tightener is an aid for putting on and taking off support stockings. It is suitable for all types of stockings and pressure welds.
Thanks to this tool, you need much less strength to put on stockings. Moreover, it saves you a lot of time and effort, which is also important for caregivers.
When you take off the stockings using the Rolly Sigvaris, it rolls back neatly and ready to put on the next time.
In order to apply the pressure stocking to the Rolly Sigvaris properly, you can use the Doff 'n Donner cone.
Adapted shoes
Did you know that there are also adapted shoes that make aids superfluous? Since we were getting more and more requests for adapted shoes that are easy to put on and take off, we went looking for the most convenient and fashionable shoes on the market. We found them at Friendly Shoes from the US, just like So Yes, also founded by an occupational therapist who wanted to address an everyday problem with his patients.
These beautiful stylish trainers have an easy zip at the front or back of the shoe with a sturdy zip fastener that makes it easy to put on and take off. Ideal for people with Parkinson's disease, hemiplegia, amputation,... The sole can be removed easily, which makes them also excellent for people with an orthosis. In addition, they are feather-light, which reduces the risk of tripping.
And now the best news: these shoes are now available at So Yes!
New products continue to come onto the market. Do you know of any interesting tools and are you convinced that they belong in this list? Let us know.
If you have any questions about adaptive clothing or tools for dressing and undressing, we will be happy to help you.
Greetings
Sofie and Jessie
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