Having the ability to groom oneself is often taken for granted especially for those who have been doing it for a while. However, if you are disabled, you may struggle with upper body tasks such as brushing your teeth, applying hand lotion or holding a hairbrush.
If you have a disability that involves your feet or legs, you may find it difficult to get out of the bathtub or sit down for a manicure. There are many personal care aids available for someone who is disabled; toothpaste squeezers, lotion applicators, hair dryer stands, one-handed nail clippers and self inspection mirrors are just a few of the items that a person with a disability might use to perform self-grooming activities.
Grooming Equipment
One of the most frustrating things about a disability for many people is the loss of independence. It’s difficult to look your best when you can’t brush your teeth, comb your hair or have proper hygiene. Handicap grooming aids for people with disabilities can help provide a semblance of normalcy and allow you to do many tasks for yourself. Here is a list of grooming equipment along with an explanation on how they can help you.
- For dental hygiene, a toothpaste squeezer can allow a person who is disabled with arthritis or has little hand strength to get toothpaste out of the tube.
If you have impaired shoulder movement or cannot bend over to reach your legs, a lotion applicator can do the job for you.- A hair dryer stand can hold the hair dryer even if you don’t have sufficient grip strength to perform that task for yourself. Additionally, the hair dryer stand can help those who are unable to hold up a heavy hair dryer for extended periods of time.
- One handed nail clippers allow you to clip nails on the same hand that does the clipping. It provides more leverage with a larger base. Simply press down the clippers with your palm.
- Feet scrubbers are attached to the shower floor and can remove dirt and dead skin when you move your feet back and forth.
Lightweight easy-to-grip tweezers can remove unsightly hair with a light squeeze of your hand.- Wash hair without using water. This shampoo does not require the rinsing of water and will evaporate away, leaving your hair with a nice fragrance.
- Self inspection mirrors have a long, flexible and bendable adjustable handle that allows you to see hard to see areas such as your back.
- Getting the eyedropper to drop directly in the center of your eye without blinking can be difficult but eyedropper guides make it much easier. The guide fits over your eye and prevents your eye from blinking. No more missing and hitting the eyelid.
- Hair brushes for the disabled have a longer extended handle that helps those who unable to reach that far. These come in 12 or 14 inches in length.
If you are unable to grasp a regular hair brush due to limited hand strength or arthritis, there are universal hand clips that you can stick to the hair brush. One side will velcro to the brush and the other is a clip that you put over your hand.- Can’t reach your legs because of painful bending and reaching? Consider razor extension handles that adds 19 inches of length. The extension handles create a long bendable razor that allows for shaving at a more comfortable angle. They are also great for pregnant women who can’t bend over to shave their legs because of them squishing the baby and the extra pressure on their belly.
Many personal grooming aids are inexpensive handicap devices, require little or no maintenance and can be used in the home or other locations such as a live-in care facility. In addition to the desire most people feel to be neat and clean, there are health aspects. Good dental hygiene not only prevents tooth decay, it can promote overall health by preventing gingivitis, or gum disease. Dry skin is uncomfortable and more likely to become irritated or break down under pressure, so the ability to apply lotion is important. Brushing your hair regularly helps stimulate the circulation in the scalp.
If you don’t have ready access to products for people with a disability, don’t give up. Grooming aids for people with disabilities are readily available from on-line specialty stores and internet sites. We have already recommended a few items above. There are many handicap grooming aids out there and it is almost certain you will find one that will meet your needs. Be sure to contact us if you need a certain type of assistance but are unsure what will help you.