Devices and methods for assisting individuals when donning and removing socks

Abstract

Devices and methods for assisting individuals when attempting to don or remove a sock, shoe, or other garment from their lower extremities. Such a device includes a base having a longitudinal central section, two flanges along oppositely-disposed longitudinal sides of the central section, and oppositely-disposed distal and proximal ends. The central section and the flanges define a trough that is open at the distal and proximal ends and along a longitudinal side of the base opposite the central section. A handle is coupled to and extends from the base. The handle is rigid and comprises arms attached to the base and a crossmember that connects the arms.

1 . A device for assisting individuals when donning a sock, the device comprising:
 a base comprising a longitudinal central section, two flanges along oppositely-disposed longitudinal sides of the central section, and oppositely-disposed distal and proximal ends, the central section and the flanges defining a trough that is open at the distal and proximal ends and along a longitudinal side of the base opposite the central section; and   a handle coupled to and extending from the base, the handle being rigid and comprising arms attached to the base and a crossmember that connects the arms.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a stand configured to releasably engage the crossmember of the device and hold the device in an upright position. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arms are attached to the flanges of the base and do not create an obstruction to an opening of the trough at the proximal end of the base. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the central section and the flanges are each defined by a planar portion. 
     
     
         5 . A method of using the device of  claim 1  to assist an individual when donning a sock, the method comprising:
 placing the sock over the base by inserting the distal end of the base through an opening of the sock; 
 continuing until the sock covers at least a portion of the base, the opening of the sock is near the proximal end of the base, a toe of the sock is near the distal end of the base, and the sock encloses at least a portion of the trough formed by the central section and flanges of the base; 
 donning the sock by inserting a foot of the individual through the opening of the sock near the proximal end of the base and, while the sock and the opening thereof are held open by the central section and the flanges of the base, passing the foot through the opening of the sock and through the trough formed by the central section and flanges of the base until the sock is fully on the foot; and 
 removing the base from between the sock and the individual so that the sock remains on the foot.