Collection: Long shoe horns

Without a doubt, long-handled shoe horns are the best option for seniors. They provide an extended reach that removes the need for bending or overreaching. The long handle allows us to easily slide on shoes while standing upright or sitting, making it a versatile option for individuals with mobility limitations.

Mind you, long shoe horns are not just suitable for seniors, but they're suitable for everyone. Not only do long shoe horns save hopping about trying to get feet into shoes and difficulties while putting shoes on, but shoe horns also help to keep the shape of the back of the shoe and reduce wear and tear.

Long shoe horns are available in many styles and materials. You'll need to consider if a plastic, metal, wooden or extendable long shoe horn is the best for your needs.

Plastic shoe horns are light and easy to use, they're generally the cheapest option and come in a range of bright colours. Some plastic shoe horns have a hook on the other end, doubling to help take socks off. The thin shape can make grasping a little difficult and uncomfortable for arthritic hands, however the lighter weight may be most suitable for people with weaker wrists and grip. With the length that is required for a long shoe horn for older adults, a plastic shoe horn may break if stood on at an unusual angle or over time with general use. Plastic shoe horns scratch and scuff over time, and this can result in catching on socks or damage to shoes.

Wooden shoe horns are a stylish shoe horn option. When crafted well, they are smooth and comfortable on the hands and offer a stable option for sliding into shoes. A quality long-handled wooden shoe horn is durable and a pleasure to use. It's important to find a wooden shoe horn that can be hung up, leant against placed somewhere suitable as they can slide over. A shoe horn with a strong integrated magnetic is particularly convenient without the need to navigate about a hook. With a loop at the end, a wrist strap can be added if needed.

Certainly the most robust and durable option, the metal shoe horn is an excellent choice when it comes to long-handled shoe horns. As it is so strong, the long metal shoe horn is the most suitable choice for someone who has less stability. Metal shoe horns can be ergonomically designed with a thick handle and a shape that supports a close position to the heel. Quality metal shoe horns are polished to a smooth texture, and the foot slides into the shoe with ease. The thick handle supports arthritic and unstable hands, however, do consider the weight if grip strength is a problem. Again, with a loop at the end, a wrist strap can be added if needed.

Topping our list for the best shoe horn for seniors is the extendable long shoe horn! Super convenient and versatile, the right extendable (telescopic) shoe horn can extend to an impressive 94cm (37") and is adjustable down to a length that suits putting on shoes in a seated position. This is great for all heights and needs. A perfect fit for packing in a bag for travel and taking out the home to various activities that require a shoe change such as dancing, bowling and visiting friends and relatives. The right extendable long shoe horn should have a thick padded handle for easy gripping, and a metal tongue for durability and a smooth slide on of the shoe.

The Extendable Long Shoe Horn is the most popular choice by customers here at The Independence Shop.

Typically, a shoe horn is considered "long" if it measures at least 60cm (24"). At 60cm (24"), slight bending towards the feet is still be required for most people. However, if you intend to use the long shoe horn from the seated position as well, a 60cm long shoe horn is about as long as you can go to be practical from this position. Longer can mean that the shoe horn might be a bit awkward to use from a seated position.

If you require a shoe horn with greater flexibility, then we recommend an extendable shoe horn that can be locked into place at the desired length.

Plastic shoe horns are light and easy to use, they're generally the cheapest option and come in a range of bright colours. Some plastic shoe horns have a hook on the other end, doubling to help take socks off. The thin shape can make grasping a little difficult, however the lighter weight may be most suitable for some people. The length of the plastic shoe horn should be considered as the longer it is, the more likely it is to snap. The plastic shoe horn may break if stood on at an unusual angle or over time with general use. Plastic shoe horns scratch and scuff over time. This can result in catching on socks or damage to shoes.

Wooden shoe horns are a stylish shoe horn option. When crafted well, they are smooth and comfortable on the hands and offer a stable option for sliding into shoes. A quality long-handled wooden shoe horn is durable and a pleasure to use. It's important to find a wooden shoe horn that can be hung up, or to have somewhere suitable that they can be placed as they can slide over. A shoe horn with a strong integrated magnetic is particularly convenient without the need to navigate about a hook. With a loop at the end, a wrist strap can be added if needed.

Certainly the most robust and durable option, the metal shoe horn is an excellent choice when it comes to shoe horns. As it is so strong, the metal shoe horn is the most suitable choice for daily use. Metal shoe horns can be ergonomically designed with a thick handle and a shape that supports a close position to the heel. Quality metal shoe horns are polished to a smooth texture, and the foot slides into the shoe with ease. Do consider the weight if grip strength is a problem. Again, with a loop at the end, a wrist strap can be added if needed.