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Posted by Mike Phipps on March 17, 2022
Hello! I'm Kate Makin, Ability Superstore’s resident Occupational Therapist (OT). I am here to answer your mobility aid queries. I also write articles and guides to assist you in choosing the right mobility and disability aids.
Sock and Stocking aids are a fantastic invention! I recommend the use of these dressing aids on a very regular basis for people who have difficulty dressing themselves. The question I am often asked is – 'What is the best sock aid, or sock helper?'
These low-cost disability aids can make putting socks, or stockings on, much safer and easier to manage for what can be a challenging daily living task for many individuals suffering from medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis in the hands, weak hands, or have limited hand strength. These dressing aids are also frequently used after a person has had hip surgery, or hop replacement.
The main advantage of a sock aid, or sock helper, is that it reduces the need to bend and reach down to put your socks and stockings on. The sock aid helps to pull the sock into position on the foot/leg.
For many of the people that I work with, bending, stretching and reaching is difficult for them to manage, and with a sock aid, you just slip your feet into the sock opening without having to stretch, bend, or reach!
There are many sock aids available and many accommodate differently sized feet and mobility issues. Whilst all of them are essentially used in the same way and serve the same purpose, each has its own individual benefits.
Recently, I wrote a blog about the – Soxon Sock Aid – a really helpful and frustration-free dressing aid. I included some tips and advice on how to use this flexible sock aid.
That blog led me to think that, with so much choice around, how helpful it would be if I let the Ability Superstore customers know what are the best 5 sock aids? So, here it is, my ultimate – Top 5 of Sock Aids – that is, devices for putting socks on!
At number 5 is the Sock and Stocking Aid.This is probably one of the more traditional sock aids.
The Sock and Stocking Aid is simple in its design and very easy to use. This disability aid consists of a plastic core shape that the sock, or stocking, goes over. It is then lowered to the floor and a foot is placed into the sock, or stocking. The long handles are used to bring the sock, or stocking, into place.
What I really like about this Sock and Stocking Aid is that there are a number of different styles available, all designed to suit the individual user’s needs; there is a standard version with two handles; one with a continuous loop (for one-handed use); one with a continuous loop and a wider style, and finally, one with a continuous loop and notch.
The handles allow for it to be adjusted to the desired length.
This dressing aid sock helper also has easy to grip foam handles making it easy and comfortable to use.
You can find the – Sock and Stocking Aid – if you click here!
At number 4 is the Ezy On Compression Sock and Stocking Aid.
Putting compression socks and stockings on is a very difficult task, as anyone who has ever needed them will know!
Due to the nature of the compression socks and stockings - the sock, or stocking, has to be very tight fitting to do its job which makes putting compression socks and stockings on a real struggle for many people.
For this task, I really like the Ezy On Compression Socks and Stocking Aid.
This disability aid sock and stocking helped consists of a coated metal frame that the compression socks, or stockings, are put onto, opening this up ready for your feet to be placed into. This saves the feeling of pulling, or pinching, along your skin, but still allows for a comfortable grip.
The frame itself is lightweight and I have known people use this aid when sitting down, standing, or even lying down. It is a great dressing aid following surgery when compression stockings are required and can be used either by a person themselves, or can be used to make this task easier for a carer.
I also like that there are two different height versions available. Due to its robust construction, it is ideal for repeated use.
You can find the – Ezy On Compression Sock & Stocking Aid – if you click here!
At number 3 is the Sock Aid Slider.
This is probably one of the smaller versions of a sock aid available, and what I really like about the Allstar Innovations Sock Slider is its compact size, making it ideal for travel and holidays.
The slider itself, like all sock aids, opens up the sock for the foot to be slid into, without the need to bend. The long reach handle is then used to pull the sock up into position.
An added bonus of the long reach handle is that it can also be used as a shoe horn!
This product is low cost and simple to use and, in my opinion, great value for money, as it is a 2 in 1 aid – sock aid and a shoe horn.
You can find the – Sock Aid Slider – if you click here!
At number 2 is the Terry Cloth Sock and Tights Aid.
What makes this product so great are the slits on the plastic core. These slits make putting the sock onto the dressing aid easier to manage, but it also allows it to comfortably bend around the heel.
I work with many individuals who, for a variety of reasons, only have the use of one hand, and this aid would always be my go to sock aid (or tights aid) for them.
With this dressing aid, they are able to pull the sock onto the aid, by placing the sock aid between their legs. The style and shape of the sock aid make this relatively easy to manage with only one hand (with a little practice of course!).
The inside of this sock aid is lined with nylon to reduce friction on the skin and the outside is lined with a soft terry cloth to hold the sock, or tights, in place until it is over the toes and on the foot, providing happy, warm feet.
Another added bonus of this sock aid is that there is a version available for helping to put tights on, as well as one just for standard socks, again helping to pull, or slide, the garment into place.
You can find the – Terry Cloth Sock and Tights Aid – if you click here!
Top of the shop has to be the Soxon Sock Aid, my very favourite sock aid!
There are many reasons why I like this aid so much, and one of the key things is the soft, gentle material that it is made from, making this an ideal sock aid for those with fragile, or delicate, skin.
I really like how it is shaped and designed to the contours of your feet. It also allows for swollen feet, and larger feet.
Finally, I like the looped tapes which make it easier to use, as well as being able to be used with just one hand.
The material this aid is made from helps to make the product slip resistant which helps the sock be pulled into position.
Overall, in my opinion, the Soxon Sock Aid is perhaps a more comfortable product than some of the other sock aids that are available, and whilst all of the sock aids will work in a similar way, I feel that this aid really does what it says on the tin, but in a very comfortable and effective way, and is suitable for many sock types and foot sizes.
You can find the – Soxon Sock Aid – if you click here!
There are a few things to keep in mind when using a sock aid. First, make sure the top of the sock is not too tight around your calf. If it is, the sock will be difficult to get over the device and onto your foot.
Second, be sure to position the sock so that the heel is lined up with the heel of the sock aid. This will make it easier to get your foot into the sock.
Finally, use a light touch when pulling the sock onto your foot. Jerking, or pulling too hard, can stretch the fabric of the sock and cause it to tear.
Now that you know how to use a sock aid, there’s no need to struggle with putting on socks ever again!
I hope my Top 5 Sock Aids has been useful as an insight into my favourite styles of sock aid. There is a lot of choice available and it is important to select the right dressing aid to make the task as easy to manage as it can be.
At the end of the day, being able to manage to put on your socks is such a small everyday task, but something that we all need and want to be able to do for ourselves.
Flexible sock aids are made of a soft material that is easy to bend. This makes them ideal for people with arthritis who have difficulty bending their joints. Rigid sock aids are made of a hard plastic, or metal, and do not bend. This makes them more difficult to use, but they can be helpful for people who have very limited mobility in their joints.
Which one you choose will depend on your dexterity. If you have difficulty bending, or gripping, go for the flexible sock aid. If you are more nimble, a rigid sock aid may be a better option.
Finally, consider how easy it is to clean the sock aid. Some models have removable parts that can be washed in the dishwasher; others require manual cleaning with soap and water. Choose the model that is easiest for you to keep clean and sanitized.
Dressing yourself can be difficult when you have arthritis. Painful hip and knee joints may not allow the bending action needed to reach your feet, while back, or even hands and fingers mobility can make it hard to put on socks by themselves, too!
Paralysis after a stroke also makes dressing challenging, but using a sock aid is only temporary until these conditions improve over time – with practice, anyone can learn how do this without assistance.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of your queries, or questions, when it comes to selecting a sock and stocking aid.
If you do want further information on any of the products I have mentioned, or any other disability aid, then please do get in touch with the Customer Service Team at Ability Superstore – they have a wealth of experience and an in-depth knowledge on every product they sell.
We are always happy to receive feedback from our customers about your shopping experience and the services and information we offer. This also applies to our Mobility Aids Top products.
Are there any particular mobility aids you would like to have in a Top 5, or Top 10 blog? Or any products, or equipment, that you would like to get my expert and honest opinion on? Is there any specific advice, or information you need that will help to make your life easier?
Please do get in contact with us. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. You can email us at heretohelp@abilitysuperstore.com, or call us free on 0800 255 0498 and speak to our Customer Service team. We also have a Contact Us page on our website.
Please note that all content on this website (including, but not limited to, copy, images, commentary, advice, tips, hints, guides, observations) is provided as an informational resource only. It is not a substitute for correct and accurate diagnosis, or recommendation, or treatment by a medical professional. Please ensure that you obtain proper guidance from your GP, or other medical professionals. The information provided on this website does not create any patient-medical expert relationship and must not be used in any way as a substitute for such.
