As a caregiver, one of the most stressful times is getting your loved one to appointments. No matter how well you plan, the unexpected always happens. The last thing you want is to rush them. Yet, you also know they will wait longer if you are late.  Which means they will be uncomfortable longer. So how do you not rush them and get them there on time?  One way is finding the right tools to help you out.

What always took the longest for me was getting mom’s shoes on. She loved warm, thick socks, regardless of the season. Plus she had varying degrees of ankle swelling most days.  Her Occupational Therapist gave her a plastic long-handled shoehorn. She also had a strong metal shoehorn  Both helped in that we would eventually get her shoes on, but it wasn’t easy. Then I learned about a device that was like a miracle for us.  It’s called a foot funnel, because it literally seems to funnel your foot right into the shoe!

The funnel just slides into the shoe, with the lip covering the shoe’s rim. Once inserted, lower the shoe and funnel to the floor with the long, attached strings. After stepping into your shoe, pull up the strings to raise the funnel back to your lap. You can then insert it into the next shoe. My mom could do this independently, since she didn’t need to bend down.  It’s still a great tool for caregivers if the individual cannot use it independently.  In addition to easing the shoe on, the strings let caregivers use it while sitting.  One less reason to get down on the floor or bend down is a win!

You can find the Foot Funnel on Amazon or at Walmart.

While the foot funnel is great, it may not be the right tool for everyone. That’s where Easterseals Iowa’s lending library comes in. You may explore hundreds of devices in our online Lending Library catalog. You can try several options to see what is best for you. The process is so easy and can save lots of time, money, and frustration.

Want to discuss your specific needs, please reach out by emailing us at atinfo@eastersealsia.org, calling 1-866-866-8782, or filling in this Contact Us Form.

Hope this helps make one thing a little easier for you!

– Lynette