If you are renovating the bathroom for a disabled or elderly relative, the sheer range of toilet aids available can seem overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to begin. Whether you are installing a bathroom from scratch, or adapting an existing bathroom, there are the perfect products for everyone out there, whether they simply need a little extra support or they need some more advanced technology to make using the toilet easy.
While everyone has different needs and therefore will require different toilet aids, there is one key point that is applicable to all. No matter how young or old they are, everyone wants to maintain their dignity and this may in fact be the most important issue for them when it comes to choosing the right bathroom equipment. By installing features that allow the user to retain his or her independence, being able to use the toilet on their own without the need of a carer or relative present, you will be improving their well being and quality of life.
Picking out the right products for the user, which will help them the most, is therefore of the utmost importance. Below is an easy to follow guide on the different types of toilet aids available and which users they are best suited for.
Bidets for the disabled or elderly are especially great for those unable to bend easily, who may find it difficult to clean after going to the toilet. Bidets use water jets to make cleaning simple and easy to do for anyone. They use a discreet hose that generally has different settings. Be sure to look out for an option that has a warm water option, and preferably a warm air drying option too, to minimise discomfort for the user.
It can be difficult for certain elderly or disabled people to lower themselves down onto the toilet seat unaided. A raised toilet seat cover is a tall, comfortable seat that slots on top of your existing one to bring it to a more manageable height. The great thing about raised toilet seats is that they are relatively low cost and are not a permanent change, making them ideal if other, more able users will be sharing the bathroom or if the item is only needed temporarily, such as for a temporary injury.
When used in combination with support rails this makes sitting down onto the toilet and standing back up again afterwards easy for the vast majority of people. Special bariatric toilet seats are also available for particularly heavy people.
Many different types and styles of support rails are available. For a person who only needs minimal support and will be using a shared bathroom, discreet fold away handles are available that provide that little extra confidence booster that helps the user to feel safe and comfortable using the bathroom alone. For those who need extra support fixed rails provide a strong, weight resistant handle. If your relative is more likely to require a handhold either side of the toilet seat, opt for a sturdy toilet frame instead which fits over an existing toilet, eliminating the need for permanent wall or floor fixtures.
In certain cases, in particular where the user has little upper body strength, a battery powered toilet seat that can be raised and lowered as needed is the perfect solution, allowing for totally independent toileting. The seat lifts upwards and forwards so that the user simply needs to stand in front and lean backwards into it, and then press a button to gently be lowered down to a seating position. Afterwards, the seat will lift them back up again to where their walker or wheelchair is waiting. Toilet raisers with handles are available for those with unsteady balance.
Finally, do not forget to install an easy to use toilet lever to allow the user to flush the toilet alone. This may be necessary for arthritis sufferers or those with restricted use of their hands. A large handle with a flat end allows the lever to be pressed down using just the palm of the hand.
As you can see, there are many toilet aids available, some of which will be more relevant to your needs than others. As well as kitting out your bathroom, it may also be useful to buy commodes or items such as bedpans for those who are confined to the bed. Disabled tax relief may be available, so always double check before you buy as it can be difficult to reclaim overpaid VAT afterwards.
While everyone has different needs and therefore will require different toilet aids, there is one key point that is applicable to all. No matter how young or old they are, everyone wants to maintain their dignity and this may in fact be the most important issue for them when it comes to choosing the right bathroom equipment. By installing features that allow the user to retain his or her independence, being able to use the toilet on their own without the need of a carer or relative present, you will be improving their well being and quality of life.
Picking out the right products for the user, which will help them the most, is therefore of the utmost importance. Below is an easy to follow guide on the different types of toilet aids available and which users they are best suited for.
Bidets for the disabled or elderly are especially great for those unable to bend easily, who may find it difficult to clean after going to the toilet. Bidets use water jets to make cleaning simple and easy to do for anyone. They use a discreet hose that generally has different settings. Be sure to look out for an option that has a warm water option, and preferably a warm air drying option too, to minimise discomfort for the user.
It can be difficult for certain elderly or disabled people to lower themselves down onto the toilet seat unaided. A raised toilet seat cover is a tall, comfortable seat that slots on top of your existing one to bring it to a more manageable height. The great thing about raised toilet seats is that they are relatively low cost and are not a permanent change, making them ideal if other, more able users will be sharing the bathroom or if the item is only needed temporarily, such as for a temporary injury.
When used in combination with support rails this makes sitting down onto the toilet and standing back up again afterwards easy for the vast majority of people. Special bariatric toilet seats are also available for particularly heavy people.
Many different types and styles of support rails are available. For a person who only needs minimal support and will be using a shared bathroom, discreet fold away handles are available that provide that little extra confidence booster that helps the user to feel safe and comfortable using the bathroom alone. For those who need extra support fixed rails provide a strong, weight resistant handle. If your relative is more likely to require a handhold either side of the toilet seat, opt for a sturdy toilet frame instead which fits over an existing toilet, eliminating the need for permanent wall or floor fixtures.
In certain cases, in particular where the user has little upper body strength, a battery powered toilet seat that can be raised and lowered as needed is the perfect solution, allowing for totally independent toileting. The seat lifts upwards and forwards so that the user simply needs to stand in front and lean backwards into it, and then press a button to gently be lowered down to a seating position. Afterwards, the seat will lift them back up again to where their walker or wheelchair is waiting. Toilet raisers with handles are available for those with unsteady balance.
Finally, do not forget to install an easy to use toilet lever to allow the user to flush the toilet alone. This may be necessary for arthritis sufferers or those with restricted use of their hands. A large handle with a flat end allows the lever to be pressed down using just the palm of the hand.
As you can see, there are many toilet aids available, some of which will be more relevant to your needs than others. As well as kitting out your bathroom, it may also be useful to buy commodes or items such as bedpans for those who are confined to the bed. Disabled tax relief may be available, so always double check before you buy as it can be difficult to reclaim overpaid VAT afterwards.
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