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Most of us are uncomfortable about the idea of needing help to use
the toilet. Yet, for anyone with a disability it is one of the most
difficult things to use in most residential bathrooms. Making your
toilet area senior-safe can preserve both independence and
dignity for older visitors and residents alike.
The next time you use a public restroom, try the toilet in the disabled
stall. The toilet is set higher, which makes it easier for most people
to sit and stand. Unless you are very short, it should be easier for you
to use, too. A higher seat puts less strain on your back and your knees
and legs.
You can purchase
raised toilet seats, either with or without arms,
that sit on the toilet bowl. These aren't very good looking,
but they will do when your elderly parent is visiting for a short time,
or in
a pinch. They are generally not as comfortable for long-term use, and
they are more difficult to keep clean than a standard seat.
A better looking, but a bit more expensive alternative is to simply
lift
 the
whole apparatus 4 to 6 inches off the ground. The
Toilevator was invented to do just that, and it works remarkably
well. The end result looks a lot better than a removable raised toilet seat. Unless you are
experienced with removing and resetting a toilet you will want a plumber
to install a Toilevator.
The Toilevator may be a little more expensive than an add-on raised
seat, but it's certainly a great deal less expensive than purchasing a
new, higher toilet.
| Something to hold on to at the toilet is a must.
Even if you have a seat with arms, such as the one above, a grab bar
on the wall |
(just
exactly like the ones in the shower or tub) or a pole to hold when
getting on and off will prevent many a stumble. This is a
SuperPole Mobility Aid
 - the perfect solution when you don't have a logical
place to install a grab bar, or if you rent and don't want to
install more than you must. |
 |
 Another
alternative if you don't have the space for a grab bar on both sides
of the toilet is a
freestanding safety support like this. The nice thing about this
moveable set of safety arms is it can easily be moved from room to
room as needed and there is no installation involved. |
In order to help someone at the toilet there needs to be room to
maneuver. You should plan on a minimum of 18 to 24 inches in front of
the toilet for a helper to stand. Anyone in a wheelchair is going to
need 42 to 48 inches of space at the side of the toilet.
This means that if your toilet is located in a little toilet room, it
will not be accessible to anyone in a wheelchair, and it will be hard
to use for anyone needing a walker. This
may be the time to think about expanding the useful space in your
bathroom by removing the enclosing walls.
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