Supporting Compression Garment Use with Donning and Doffing Aids
A practical guide to application tools that support garment use and patient independence
Compression garments can play an important role in the management of lymphoedema and chronic oedema, but successful compression management involves more than selecting the right garment.
For some patients, applying and removing compression can be one of the most challenging parts of treatment.
Reduced hand strength, limited dexterity, restricted mobility, difficulty bending or reaching, and the physical effort required to manage compression garments can all affect a person’s ability to use their prescribed compression consistently.
The right donning or doffing aid can help make this process easier and support greater independence with day-to-day compression management.
To help clinicians explore the options available, LES has developed the Donning and Doffing Aids Directory, bringing together manufacturer-supplied information about application and removal aids, supportive accessories and self-management tools in one practical resource.
Why donning and doffing matters
Even when a compression garment is clinically appropriate and well fitted, the practicalities of putting it on and taking it off can create barriers to ongoing use.
Patients may experience difficulty because of:
- reduced grip or hand strength
- limited dexterity
- difficulty bending or reaching the lower limb
- reduced mobility or functional limitations
- the resistance of compression fabrics
- difficulty positioning the garment correctly
- concern about damaging the garment or skin during application
- reliance on a carer or family member for assistance
These practical considerations can form an important part of compression planning and patient education.
Introducing the LES Donning and Doffing Aids Directory
The directory brings together available tools from participating compression providers and presents them using consistent functional categories to make different options easier to explore.
The guide includes:
- Donning and Doffing Aids including frames, sliders, application aids, removal aids and multi-purpose tools
- Upper Limb Options to assist with sleeves and other upper-limb compression garments
- Lower Limb Options for open-toe and closed-toe garments and different application requirements
- Supportive Accessories and Self-Management Tools including grip gloves, adhesives and other products that may support garment management
- Practical Tips supplied by participating manufacturers
- links to selected educational resources and product information
- supplier contact details for further product-specific advice and support.
More than making compression easier to put on
Donning and doffing aids can support several aspects of compression management.
Depending on the aid and the needs of the individual, they may help to reduce physical effort, minimise friction, improve grip, assist with positioning and reduce unnecessary pulling or stretching of garment fabric.
Importantly, they may also help some patients take a more active role in managing their own compression.
The directory is designed to support clinicians in:
- exploring different approaches to garment application and removal
- considering options for patients with functional limitations
- identifying aids suitable for upper or lower limb garments
- exploring solutions for open-toe and closed-toe compression
- supporting safe garment handling
- reducing unnecessary strain during application and removal
- considering tools that may support greater patient independence
- accessing manufacturer guidance and educational resources.
Matching the aid to the individual
There is no single donning or doffing aid that will suit every patient or every garment.
As the directory demonstrates, available options range from simple grip gloves and low-friction sliders through to frames, long-handled devices and multi-purpose application and removal systems.
Selection should consider the individual’s functional needs and the type of compression garment being used.
This may include factors such as:
- hand strength and dexterity
- mobility and balance
- ability to bend and reach
- upper limb function
- garment style and compression type
- whether the garment is open or closed toe
- the patient’s ability to learn and safely use the chosen technique
- the level of assistance available at home.
Some aids also require practice. Clinicians can play an important role in helping patients trial different approaches and identify a method that is practical for their individual circumstances.
Supporting good garment application technique
Across the directory, several practical themes recur in the manufacturer-provided guidance.
These include protecting garments from fingernails and jewellery, using gloves to improve grip, positioning garments correctly before progressing with application, smoothing fabric rather than pulling excessively, and avoiding rolling, folding or bunching of garment material.
These seemingly small aspects of technique can contribute to easier garment management while also helping to protect the garment and maintain appropriate positioning.
Using the guide in practice
The directory can be used to:
- explore donning and doffing options with patients
- identify potential solutions when garment application is difficult
- support patients experiencing changes in mobility, strength or dexterity
- consider alternatives when a patient relies heavily on another person to manage compression
- introduce application aids when prescribing a new compression garment
- support patient and carer education
- compare available tools across different suppliers
- connect with manufacturers for product-specific advice or demonstrations.
The directory is intended to complement clinical assessment and individualised compression planning. Clinicians are encouraged to consider the patient’s functional needs, tolerance, garment type and tissue characteristics when selecting an appropriate aid.
A final reflection
Successful compression management does not end with prescribing the right garment.
Patients also need a practical way to incorporate that garment into everyday life.
Considering how a person will put their compression on, take it off and manage it independently can be an important part of clinical decision-making from the outset.
The LES Donning and Doffing Aids Directory has been developed to support this process by bringing together available application tools, supportive accessories, practical tips and supplier information in one accessible clinical resource.
Acknowledging our Industry Partners
LES acknowledges and thanks Essity, Haddenham Healthcare, Lohmann & Rauscher, medi Australia and OPC Health for supporting the development of this resource and ongoing clinical learning. Inclusion does not imply endorsement, and clinicians are encouraged to apply their own professional judgement in all aspects of patient care.
