Toilet aids are highly useful for people with mobility restrictions. Two essential aids to make toilets accessible are a raised toilet seat and a commode chair.

A toilet seat is for those who have difficulties standing up or sitting down but can still manage to walk short distances like going to the toilet.

On the contrary, a commode is an independent toilet seat that doesn't require any plumbing system. This toilet aid has an opening with a basin that can collect urine and faeces. It can be suitable for those with severe mobility restrictions that can't walk even short distances.

However, there are some factors you should consider for selection of both these toilet aids. Let's understand them one by one.

Points to Consider when Buying a Raised Toilet Seat

Support Arms

While some variants of this toilet aid come with support arms, others don't. If you suffer from balance issues besides mobility issues, a variant with armrests may suit you more than a variant without them. Further, you can leverage the armrests to transfer yourself from your seat to bed easily.

If you don't have major balance issues and need only a little support when lowering down or getting up, a variant without armrests may also suffice.

Ease of Transportation

Several variants of toilet seats have a clamping mechanism. If you need to transport or change the location of your seat on and off, a variant with clamps may be more suitable. This is because these clamps facilitate easy installation and removal of a toilet seat.

So, even if you are away from your home, you can carry your toilet seat along. It ensures that you have a safe and easy-to-use toilet aid wherever you go.

Padding

A padded variant may be more useful if you suffer from a skin condition or are at risk of developing pressure ulcers.

If you are suffering from age-related issues that make it difficult for you to get up or sit down but you still have mobility sufficient enough to walk a little, a standard toilet seat may suffice.

If you are suffering from posterior injuries or recuperating from posterior surgery, you may require more comfort and skin protection. A padded variant may be a better choice in this scenario.

Points to Consider when Buying a Commode Chair

Versatility

Versatility is a crucial factor to consider when buying a commode. While a standard variant helps you with defecation only, a 2-in-1 variant helps you with both showering and defecation. The latter variant may be of great help to the elderly or disabled who have difficulties frequently transferring from one disability aid to the other.

Weight-bearing Capacity

The weight-bearing capacity also plays a role in the choice of a commode.

The weight-bearing capacity of the standard commode is generally around 200 pounds. If you are larger in size, a standard commode variant may present problems. For instance, you may face risks of arm support failure, buckling of commode legs, or slippage.

A heavy-duty variant may come in handy in this scenario. With strong metal handles, larger seating surface and weight-bearing capacity of up to 300 kg, this variant can accommodate heavy patients.

Height Adjustability

Whether to buy a height-adjustable variant or not depends on your requirements. If you need to use your commode in multiple locations, a height-adjustable variant may serve your purpose better. On the other hand, if you don't need to shift your commode chair to multiple locations, a non-adjustable height variant may be enough.

Storage Space

The storage space a commode requires may also determine its choice at times. If you have enough space to accommodate the commode when not in use, a non-folding variant may fit your purpose. However, a folding commode may fit in better in case you have storage space restrictions. This is because you can easily fold it when not in use and use that space for other purposes.

Price Considerations

The more enhancements you want, the higher the price of your commode goes. For instance, a folding variant may be costlier than a non-folding one. Similarly, a wheeled variant may be slightly costlier than a non-wheeled variant. Therefore, combining both your requirements and purchasing power is highly recommendable to arrive at the right decision.

Summing Up

The choice of the two essential toilet aids - raised toilet seat and commode depends on a number of factors. Always ensure that you combine the above-mentioned factors with a professional's advice. Only then will your final choice be an ideal choice.

In old age, losing one's balance or strength can make simple things like lifting heavy items, using the toilet, etc difficult. Moreover, with limited mobility, the risk of getting injured while using the toilet increases.

So, to help you avoid any such injuries, we've listed some useful toileting aids that will make your visits to the toilet more comfortable and practical.

Commode Chairs

Being able to live independently and look after oneself despite mobility limitations is important for almost everyone, especially when it comes to personal hygiene. A commode chair can help you do just that by allowing you to go to the toilet without external help. Basically, you can call it a mobile toilet that users can keep in their vicinity. It can be a boon to those who are unable to cover the distance to the bathroom due to frailty or any other reason. For the waste, there is a pan attached to the commode that is removable. You can easily empty its contents as and when required.

Here are the common types of commode chairs:

Portable: These are often foldable and flexible enough for you to carry them anywhere. Most have wheels.

Static: These do not have wheels. They usually come with the feature of detachable arms for mobility. This type of chair is sometimes available with an attractive finish, making it look like an ordinary piece of furniture.

Bariatric: Designed for heavier individuals, this type of chair can carry up to 600 pounds. They provide enough space for the person to use it comfortably.

Hence, this type of toilet aids can be a great option for older adults who would not want to be dependent on anyone for their personal needs.

Padded Toilet Seats

Most people associate the padded toilet seat with increased comfort. However, it comes with other advantages as well. Adaptable for all age groups, it can be useful for people with slight disabilities or reduced mobility. These are portable seats that you can place on your toilet seats for improved comfort.

Before choosing one, it is important to consider the shape of your toilet. Toilet seats come in different shapes such as round, elongated, etc. Hence, to make the right choice, it becomes important that you consider your toilet seat's shape and buy accordingly.

Advantages:

Provides Comfort

They provide a soft seating area. While a hard toilet seat is usually cold, a padded toilet seat provides warmth because of the cushion cover on top. Apart from that, it can be beneficial for people recovering from surgery or childbirth as their transfers to and from wheelchairs or shower benches can be difficult.

Easy to set up

This type of seat fits over toilets in the same way as standard toilet seats. There are no extra steps required to install them.

Easy to clean

With elevated seats and armrests, it becomes easy for elderly people to make their bathroom visits comfortable. Also, they are easy to maintain as most of them have removable padding or cushions. Hence, at the time of cleaning, you can easily remove the cushion and clean it.

Adjustable Toilet Frames

Adjustable toilet frames fit around the toilet and provide valuable support to the users. These frames are adjustable in width and height. If you want to elevate your toilet seat, you can place the toilet frame around it. It helps the elderly or people with limited mobility to easily sit or get up from the toilet seat. They provide a handhold on which users can rest as it transfers some bodyweight to the upper body. You can fix some models permanently to the floor, making them more stable.

Grab Rails

You can use these rails to support yourself while using the toilet. You can fix them to the walls as fixed units, fold them down when in use and fold up afterwards. Vertical floor to ceiling poles are another type of rail mainly useful to people who have the adequate upper body strength to pull themselves from a sitting position.

Pro-Tip

Above mentioned products are mostly for people who need equipment to help them in their day-to-day lives. When you properly leverage living aids, they can make your routine easier. At the same time, it is important that you contact a qualified professional for any type of permanent fitting of items like grab rails or fixed toilet frames.

Being able to use the toilet without assistance and in privacy is not something everyone can take for granted in old age. Numerous illnesses and physical conditions may mean we may require assistance getting to and from the bathroom. Furthermore, incontinence may also lead to new challenges.

Standard Support Rails

In the bathroom, taking a simple step like fitting grab rails in suitable locations might make a difference. These provide points of support when using the toilet. If positioned correctly, they make it easier to sit down and stand up from the WC, by offering a point of support. For those with conditions affecting balance or strength, they can make all the difference.

Grab rails are available in various lengths and finishes so they blend in with the bathroom décor. White and chrome models are the most popular and discreet.

U-Shaped Support Rails

Drop-down grab rails are an alternative to straight versions and flip up against the wall when not in use. Typically they are ‘U-shaped’ and protrude horizontally from the wall. They are available in various lengths, so take care to ensure you select one which fits the space available.

You will often see this type of fitting in disabled toilets, but they can be useful for domestic environments too. It is important that a qualified tradesman fits the rail. He will need to be aware of the material content of the wall and use the appropriate fixings.

Bed Pads

Modern bed pads provide an absorbent layer which protects against urinary incontinence in bed. They are essentially sheets which stop water reaching the mattress, by soaking it up. They have an absorbent core which ‘locks’ moisture within it. As well as keeping the mattress dry, it also limits moisture contact with the skin.

Some bed pads have ‘wings’. These are large flaps of material which you can tuck round and under the mattress in order to hold the pads in place. The pads themselves should be immediately beneath the individual’s waistline.

Disposable and washable bed pads are available. The washable versions usually need to be on about 95 degrees in the washing machine. Do not wash with conditioners or softeners, and tumble dry on low heat. Disposable pads are less robust and designed for just a single use.

Chair pads work in a similar way to bed pads. Instead of fitting on a bed, they fit beneath the body with the person is sitting down. Again, they protect furniture from any water leakage by soaking it up. Like bed pads, chair pads are available in varying degrees of absorbency.

If you are living with a condition which makes it difficult for you to make the trip to the bathroom, you might want to consider using a commode. These allow you to go to the toilet without having to reach the bathroom itself.

If you do need one, in many cases you will also require someone to help you. Most models feature a bucket which slots in beneath the seat. This then slides out after use allowing emptying and cleaning.

The processes of getting on and off this equipment is also much safer with the help of a carer. Unless fixed to the floor, commodes have the potential to tip over.

If you do have assistance, you might opt for a mobile version. With the bucket removed, many models are able to roll directly over a conventional toilet. If you are struggling to move to and from the bathroom unaided or get on or off the toilet once there, this type of commode might be just what you need.

Most models have similar wheels to transit wheelchairs. This means they are easy to control in domestic environments. Other static models are attractive wooden units which look very similar to ordinary furniture. This makes them discreet in appearance.

Other static models have metal tubing frames which is easy to wipe clean and disinfect. Most have seats and lids, similar to standard toilets. Many have raised armrests and backrests, aiding balance and stability.