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Best Toilet Aids for the Elderly to Make it Easier and Safer
A toilet aid can make things easier if you or a loved one has trouble safely reaching or using a regular toilet. Older people within their homes are most at risk of requiring hospitalisation from a fall. Toilet aids for elderly individuals can help minimise this risk through increased support, stability, and useability. This article...
A toilet aid can make things easier if you or a loved one has trouble safely reaching or using a regular toilet. Older people within their homes are most at risk of requiring hospitalisation from a fall. Toilet aids for elderly individuals can help minimise this risk through increased support, stability, and useability.
This article discusses the different types of toilet aids for elderly and disabled individuals and provides expert recommendations to best suit your needs.
What are toilet aids?
Are you wondering how to use continence and toileting aids? Continence aids assist people with poor bowel or bladder control. Toilet aids offer a similar sense of independence by helping users to safely transfer on and off the toilet while improving comfort and stability.
Toilet aids for the elderly include various toilet seat raisers, toilet surrounds, over toilet aids, commodes, wipers, and other accessories.
What are the different types of toilet aids?
Most toilet aids are designed to be used with your existing bathroom fixtures and hardware. Multiple types of toilet aids for disabled and senior people are available, such as:
- Over toilet aids with supportive arm rails
- Toilet surround frames
- Toilet seat raisers
- Toilet seat cushions
- Bedside commodes
- Bottom wipers and other hygiene accessories
Over toilet aid
Patient Handling’s extensive range of over toilet aids features supportive arm rails attached to a raised seat, which may be height adjustable. The raised seat is positioned over the toilet, making it easier for users to raise and lower themselves.
Toilet surround frames
An ideal toilet aid for elderly users, toilet surrounds are designed to be used in conjunction with an existing toilet. The frame provides additional support and stability to get on and off the toilet. Unlike an over toilet aid, toilet surrounds do not include a removable bowl and lid.
Toilet seat raisers
Patient Handling stocks toilet seat raisers that prevent injury and strain by making it easier for users to lower onto the seat. This type of toilet aid for elderly and disabled users is easy to install and compatible with most toilets.
Toilet seat cushions
Seat cushions are a popular toilet aid for elderly individuals experiencing pain or discomfort, pressure sores, or significant weight loss. Padded toilet seat cushions enhance user comfort and are usually made of hygienic, easy-to-clean materials.
Bedside commodes
A bedside commode is a portable toilet that looks like a chair. Usually positioned near the bed, a commode chair collects waste matter in a discrete detachable basin underneath the seat. As bedside commodes do not use running water, the basin must be manually cleaned after each use.
To find the most suitable bedside commode for your needs, read our comprehensive guide on the best bedside commode chairs.
Hygiene accessories
Toilet and shower accessories can help individuals with limited flexibility or mobility maintain their independence. Bottom wipers grip toilet paper and are hygienically clean from the front or rear.
How to make bathroom tasks easier for seniors
Seniors are at a high risk of falling or injuring themselves in the bathroom. A range of factors can increase this risk, such as:
- Mobility issues
- Unfamiliar settings (due to cognitive impairments or new care settings)
- Medications that may cause dizziness or confusion
- Injuries, illnesses, or treatments causing instability or weakness
There are several ways to reduce the risk of falling and make bathroom tasks easier for seniors. As discussed further below, installing toilet aids for disabled and elderly users can enhance independence by making this common daily task easier. For example, the supportive handrails of over-toilet aids and surround frames provide a stable platform for users to sit and stand up from the toilet comfortably. Similarly, Patient Handling stocks various bath aids to help users safely use a shower or bath.
Turning on the lights and clearing clutter and trip hazards can make it safer for seniors to use the bathroom. Patient Handling also stocks various products that may help prevent falls in the bathroom, such as non-slip bath mats, toilet night lights, and shower chairs.
For further information on preventing falls in the shower, read our top 10 picks for the best shower chairs.
Best toilet aids
Patient Handling stocks an extensive range of toilet aids, including support frames, toilet seat raisers, commodes, cushions, and other accessories. To help you find the best fit, our expert team has hand selected some of the best toilet aid products for seniors.
BetterLiving Toilet Surround
Brand: BetterLiving
Key features:
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Six height adjustment holes
- Moulded, anti-slip armrests
- Maximum user weight of 190kg
The BetterLiving Toilet Surround is constructed of a powder-coated, corrosion-resistant frame designed to fit around most toilets. Portable and easily manoeuvrable, the height-adjustable frame supports users to transfer to and from the toilet safely.
Peak Care Folding Over Toilet Aid
Brand: Peak Care Mobility Aids
Key features:
- Doubles as a bedside commode
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Angled armrests for support
- Foldable frame for easy storage and transport
- Maximum user weight of 100kg
The aluminium frame of the Peak Care Folding Over Toilet Aid is foldable, lightweight, and portable. This unit includes a bowl and lid and can be used as a bedside commode. The angled armrests provide a stable surface for users as they raise or lower from the toilet.
Etac Hi-Loo Toilet Seat Raiser with Arm Supports
Brand: Etac Assistive Devices
Key features:
- Detachable, flip-up arm supports
- Contoured seat with front and back recesses
- Available in two heights
- Fits most toilets
- Maximum user weight of 150kg
The Etac Hi-Loo Toilet Seat Raiser is designed to discretely mount to most standard toilets to raise the height and enhance ease of use. The detachable arm supports can flip up or be fixed in place for extra stability when transferring to or from the toilet.
Etac Swift Commode
Brand: Etac Assistive Devices
Key features:
- Multi-use commode chair
- Removable padding
- Height adjustable legs
- The seat can be angled forward
- Maximum user weight of 130kg
The Etac Swift Commode is a multipurpose bedside commode that also doubles as a toilet seat raiser and shower chair. The telescopic legs are height adjustable and removable for easy transport and storage. Designed for superior comfort, the seat and backrest padding is detachable and easy to clean.
Skil-Care Gel Foam Toilet Seat Cushion
Brand: Skil Care Cushions
Key features:
- Provides superior pressure relief
- Dual gel-foam composition
- Fastens with straps to any toilet seat
- Maximum user weight of 130kg
Designed for ultimate pressure relief, the Skil-Care Gel Foam Toilet Seat Cushion is one of the best toilet aid for seniors and individuals with a disability. The foam base layer provides support and cushioning, while the gel top layer comfortably moulds to the body, preventing unwanted pressure.
Etac Torkel Toilet Paper Tongs
Brand: Etac Assistive Devices
Key features:
- Easy-grip and release
- Lightweight polyamide plastic
- Easy to clean
- Can be used as a shower or toilet aid
The handy Etac Torkel Toilet Paper Tongs are an ideal toilet aid for elderly or users with limited grip and mobility. The tongs can be used as a toilet aid to grip and release toilet paper or in the shower for washcloths and small towels. The tongs are easy to clean with disinfectant or boiling at a maximum temperature of 85°C.
Homecraft Folding Bottom Wiper
Brand: Homecraft Daily Living Aids
Key features:
- Folds to 12cm for compact storage
- Easy to disinfectant or clean with hot water
- Front or rear use
- Plastic serrations grip the toilet paper
This toilet aid is designed for users with limited flexibility or grip and can be used from the front or rear. The Homecraft Folding Bottom Wiper is 26.5cm long and folds to a conveniently portable length of 12cm. The durable plastic is easy to clean with mild detergent and hot, but not boiling, water.
Patient Handling also stocks the non-folding, curved Homecraft Bottom Wiper.
Better Living Toilet Night Light
Brand: BetterLiving Daily Living Aids
Key features:
- Reduces the risk of falls and spills
- Light and motion sensors
- Eight different colour options or auto mode
- Battery operated
The Better Living Toilet Night Light improves safety by illuminating the toilet area and reducing the risk of falls, spills, and accidents. Ideal for those with poor eyesight, cognitive difficulties or dementia. Activated by motion and light sensors, the toilet night light will light up with one of eight chosen colours from the auto mode sequence.
How toilet aids can minimise the risk of falling
Installing toilet aids for seniors can enhance their independence while reducing the risk of falling. An assistive device such as a toilet aid is designed to ease the burden of daily activities for those with mobility issues or other sources of pain or discomfort.
Toilet aids can minimise the risk of falling by providing stable surfaces for toilet transfers. For example, over toilet aids enable users to safely raise or lower themselves using supportive armrests and raised seat height. Similarly, users rely on the frame of toilet surrounds for support and stabilisation.
Slipping on a wet bathroom floor is something most of us have done before. A non-slip rubber mat, such as the Peak Non Slip Bath and Shower Mat, near the toilet and shower can also help prevent falls in the bathroom.
Summary
Falling is a considerable risk for seniors, even in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. To reduce this risk, consider investing in a toilet aid, such as a supportive frame, comfortable seat cushion, or toilet night light.
Contact the friendly team at Patient Handling today to find the best toilet aid for you or your loved one.
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