Help with getting dressed

Most of us can't (or choose not to) remember a time when we couldn't dress ourselves. So it becomes very irritating and dispiriting when injury, illness or lack of flexibility makes putting clothes on in the morning or changing during the day a problem. Fortunately, it needn't be. A variety of cleverly designed, practical and easy-to-use products are available to give you a helping hand.

Here's a summary of your smart options:

1. Stocking aids

Now there's no need to bend double or touch your toes just to put on your stockings, tights or socks. A variety of straightforward devices let you just slip in and pull up - while staying comfortably seated. For examples of 'sheer' genius, see our buying guide to choosing a stocking aid.

2. Long-handled shoehorns

Such a simple idea and such a convenient way of slipping into your shoes or boots. From elongated versions of the standard model, to adjustable  telescopic variations, the choice is larger than you may think. To discover more, see our buying guide to choosing a long-handled shoehorn.

3. Button hooks

If your fingers aren't quite so nimble or your joints quite so supple, read on...There's a range of solutions to tricky buttons, ready and waiting. Why not discover how much easier life could be? See our buying guide to choosing a button hook.

Choosing a long-handled shoehorn

Why bend or stretch to slip on your shoes when there are extra-length shoehorns available to make things so much easier? Ranging from the simple to the sophisticated, your choice includes:

Long-handled polymer shoehorns: similar to the ordinary type but a value for money long handled version.

Metal shoehorns: light and strong in epoxy-coated steel, many feature shaped PVC handgrips for better control.

Telescopic shoehorns: compact and lightweight in strong aluminium, this type allows you to adjust the length to suit your needs.

Long handled shoe horns are also invaluable for helping to get into boots, where a short handled version just won’t do!

Choosing stocking aids

Stockings, tights and socks - all can be awkward to put on if you have difficulty in bending and stretching. Yes it's a problem, but one with a variety of solutions. Take a look at the options here and see which ones most closely meet your needs...

For stockings

These come in a variety of designs but essentially all work in the same way. A sleeve or frame in either plastic or metal holds the toe of the stocking open while fabric straps or a plastic handle allows it to be pulled up without stretching down.

For tights

Easy to use, these consist of a double metal or plastic frame over which the toes and lower sections of the tights and rolled. Then it's just a matter of popping your toes in and pulling gently on the two handles to ease your tights up your legs.

For socks

Similar to stocking aids, these let you slip the toe of each sock over a shaped frame. An extended handle then lets you place the frame and sock over your toes to be pulled up from a sitting position.

Choosing a button hook and zip puller

Fiddly buttons, needn't cramp your style or independence. Not when you consider the range of smart dressing aids that are now available.

Button hooks

Brilliantly simple, these allow you to do up buttons on shirts, tops, cardigans and jackets simply and single-handedly! Instead of struggling to push the button through the hole, they let you apply gentle leverage to pull the hole over the button, easily and efficiently.