Statistics show that one in three home-bound persons over 65 will experience at least one fall annually, with roughly half experiencing more frequent falls.[1] The surprising frequency of falls for those in this age bracket means that it is important to make your home more mobility-friendly for seniors to prevent any falls from taking place.
The bathroom is one of the areas of the house where falls usually occur, particularly when someone uses the toilet. If you have a low toilet seat height, it means that people need to lower themselves further, and this means that there is a higher chance of slipping. Managing toileting activities is a very private chore. Thus, using a toilet safely is essential.
If you are living with or caring for someone who has a mobility impairment, such as arthritis, there are ways in order to reduce the risk of falls. One of those is by turning your bathroom into a disability bathroom. The addition of grab rails, non-slip mats, walk-in bathtubs, or walk-in showers are a few obvious options. But in addition to those, installing a raised toilet seat in your bathroom is another smart move.
Any bathroom would benefit from having a toilet with a high seat because it reduces the chance of falling. It can provide seniors a greater sense of independence when looking after their hygiene. It should not be a luxury to feel confident and safe when using the toilet. Therefore, raised toilet seats are a must-have for those who have experienced falls or are concerned about them occurring. If you want to learn more about them, read on as we’re giving you more information about raised toilet seats and their benefits.
What is a Raised Toilet Seat?
A raised toilet seat is a device used in place of or underneath a regular toilet seat. Sometimes, it is also referred to as an elevated toilet seat. It is used to provide extra height, so people don’t have to squat low when using the toilet. Depending on additional features, raised toilet seats may help reduce the risk of slips and falls while getting on and off the toilet.
There are a number of reasons a healthcare professional or occupational therapist may recommend a raised toilet seat. These include:[2]
- Reduced strength and mobility in the hips and legs
- Recent hip replacement surgery
- Other recent surgeries like knee or back surgeries
- Recent injury or accident
- Balance issues
- Help seniors maintain independence
Making major modifications to bathrooms may cost a lot. But using raised toilet seats offer alternative adjustments that do not require people to purchase a new toilet.
Benefits of Raised Toilet Seats
The main candidate for a raised toilet seat is someone who experiences leg weakness that makes it challenging to use the toilet. They make a primary activity of daily living easier and safer. When going to the bathroom is difficult or physically taxing, some people intentionally avoid it, which may lead to other health problems like urinary tract infections or severe constipation. But a raised toilet seat may contribute beneficial effects, especially for the elderly. Below are the different benefits that you can get from raised toilet seats:
Provide Safety
Raised toilet seats help increase safety as they provide a durable base for sitting, which makes rising easier, helping individuals avoid slips and falls. If you add additional grab rails near the toilet, it can help people move around the bathroom with less risk and added safety.
Provide Relief
People who suffer from arthritis may find it difficult to bend joints, especially when using the toilet. But raised toilet seats may help relieve the joints from any added pressure. In addition, it may also help reduce the squatting position that most people usually do when using the toilet.
Easy to Fit
There are raised toilet seats that are easy to install and do not require much work. Most raised toilet seats feature adjustable fixing brackets that secure the seat in place for ultimate stability. These brackets are often on the sides and back. In addition to that, raised toilet seats are also easy to clean. All you need to do is wipe them down using a toilet disinfectant or an antibacterial wipe.
Reduced Impact on Joints
Impact on joints is usually a concern for people who live with mobility-related conditions. Any overuse of joints may occasionally result in severe pain and suffering. Lessening the amount of knee and hip flexion is beneficial for persons with joint inflammation, such as those with arthritis, since it can lessen pain and discomfort all around.
Provide Carer Safety
It is not only the individual being cared for who is at risk of injury when using the toilet. For those who are assisted by a caregiver, there is the added possibility that the caregiver may also slip or fall while assisting the patient. However, with the proper equipment, such as a raised toilet seat, the gap between sitting and standing is minimized, enabling caregivers to help patients more safely.
Increased Confidence
Using the bathroom is a private matter. That is why, wherever possible, people would prefer to make their visits unassisted. Using a raised toilet seat can help people, especially the elderly, to maintain their independence while still looking out for their safety. An elevated toilet seat not only boosts patient confidence but also promotes health by lowering the possibility of slips or falls while using the restroom.
Things to Consider When Choosing Raised Toilet Seats
If you have decided to buy a raised toilet seat, there are a few considerations that you need to take into account. It’s because raised toilet seats have a few different variations. When choosing a raised toilet seat, below are some of the things that you might want to consider:
Size
There are different sizes and shapes when it comes to raised toilet seats in order to accommodate the various toilet designs available in homes today. Therefore, one of the things that you need to look into when choosing the seat size is the distance of the toilet from the floor, the weight of the user, and the shape of the existing toilet seat. This way, you can ensure that the raised toilet seat you are buying matches your toilet at home.
With or Without a Lid
Knowing that there are different options available, such as whether or not to have a lid, is helpful if discretion is a goal. To seamlessly include raised toilet seats in your bathroom, it is also a good idea to pick a design that can be installed in between the existing lid of the toilet and the lip of the bowl.
Height
The height that you need for a raised toilet seat depends on a few factors. These include the height of the person who will use the high toilet seat, the current distance between the floor and the standard toilet seat, and the user’s weight. There are various heights available for raised toilet seats to accommodate a range of needs.
Weight Capacity
A standard raised toilet seat can usually hold between 200 to 300 pounds. But there are also bariatric raised seats available today that can accommodate up to 500 pounds.
Portability
Most raised toilet seats are bulky and cannot be transported discreetly. But there are some seats that are simply plastic cushions that are portable. However, lugging bulky cushions in public might not be practical. When someone needs a raised seat in a public place, it is better to seek out family restrooms as these are more spacious and usually have toilets that are higher from the ground.
Other Added Features
It is also great if you can find raised toilet seats that come with some added features, such as support arms and handles, locks and other clamping mechanisms, slip-resistant pads, comfortable seating materials, and more. Always choose one that will provide the utmost comfort and safety for your loved ones.
Different Types of Raised Toilet Seats
Most raised toilet seats available in the market today are universal. This means that they can fit both round and oval-shaped toilet bowls. Regarding how they are fastened into the toilet and whether or not they have arms, there are a few variations as well. To further help you choose, below are the different types of raised toilet seats:
Bubble-Type Raised Toilet Seat
This is the most common type of raised toilet seat. It can provide a quick and easy solution as it is fairly easy to install. However, bubble-type raised toilet seats usually do not come with locks or hand grips. In order to use them, they need to be placed over the bowl opening and pressed down.[3] Below are some examples of bubble-type raised toilet seats to help you pick:
Carex Toilet Seat Riser: This is a toilet seat rises that can be installed under the existing toilet seat for added personal comfort. It can fit most elongated toilet bowls. It adds 3.5 inches to the toilet seat. It is very comfortable and may help seniors and handicapped to sit or get up from the toilet easily. It can be installed easily in just 3 steps.
Homecraft Savanah Raised Toilet Seat: This raised toilet seat increases the height of any standard toilet seat. It has a slight downward slope that makes it easier to get on. It can raise the height of the toilet seat by 2 inches, which is great for those who struggle to get up and down from the toilet. It attaches to the toilet with adjustable brackets. It is also resistant to stains and odors.
AquaSense Raised Toilet Seat with Lid: This raised toilet seat can hold up to 300 lbs. or 135 kg. It elevates the toilet seat by 2 inches higher. It can provide a safer way to get on and off the toilet. It also includes a lid for a look and feel, just like a regular toilet. It can be attached securely to most regularly shaped toilets with easy tool-free installation.
Raised Toilet Seat with Lock
Some raised toilet seats have a lock or a knob for adjusting the height. These mechanisms ensure that the toilet seat will fit well into the bowl. However, some of them can be more complicated to install. Most of them require either tightening an adjustment knob or adjusting bolts to the seat.[3] Below are a few examples of raised toilet seats with a lock to help you choose:
Carex E-Z Lock Raised Toilet Seat: This is a toilet seat riser that locks securely to round and elongated toilet seats. It also includes built-in handgrips. It can add 5 inches to the toilet seat height. It is very comfortable and can help seniors and handicapped to sit or get up from the toilet easily. It can fit both round and elongated toilet seats. It is designed to conform to body contours and can hold up to 300 lbs.
Drive Medical Premium Raised Toilet Seat with Lock: This raised toilet seat is designed for people who have difficulty sitting down or getting up from the toilet. It adds 5 inches of height to a toilet seat, making it easier and safer to sit or stand. It also comes with removable armrests that are 21 inches apart. They make perfect elderly assistance or accessories. This is a simple locking toilet riser that provides a reliable and secure fit on almost any toilet.
Vive Toilet Seat Riser: This raised toilet seat can be installed on the toilet using the screws and washers it comes with. There is an interior lip on the bottom of the riser that eliminates slipping for a safe and secure seat. It is designed to be lifted up like a regular toilet seat, and it is hinged to lift a full 90 degrees. It is durable and can support up to 350 lbs.
Adjustable-Height Raised Toilet Seats
There are some raised toilet seats that allow users to control the height. However, these are usually more expensive. These toilet seats include clamps that attach to the toilet’s side for adjustment. You can adjust them higher or lower depending on your preference. Also, like locked raised toilet seats, adjustable-height raised toilet seats can be complicated to install.[3] Below are some examples of raised toilet seats with adjustable heights to help you pick:
Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat with Adjustable Height: This raised toilet seat features a warm and soft padded seat that makes toileting comfortable. It allows for extended sitting without feeling any discomfort. It has an adjustable height that allows for perfect toilet seat height settings and maximum safety and comfort. It means that it can accommodate the changing needs of a patient. It is ideal for post-operation hip and knee patients. It also has a padded armrest for more comfort.
OasisSpace Stand Alone Raised Toilet Seat: This is an elevated toilet seat that is made of a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame. It can support up to 300 pounds, making it very durable. It has an adjustable leg design that is made for limited mobility seniors and the disabled. Its legs are elongated, which is applicable for different heights. It also has a padded grip and non-slip tip for additional safety.
AUITOA 4-in-1 Raised Toilet Seat: In addition to being a raised toilet seat, this one can also be used as a bedside commode chair, toilet safety frame, or shower chair. It has an easy height adjustment, which is perfect for those who suffer from knee pain or leg ache. It has strong back support, relieving the pressure on the back and spine. It also features handles to provide more safety to seniors, handicapped and other patients.
Conclusion
Raised toilet seats are indeed useful bathroom safety aid devices, and they can help prevent bathroom incidents, such as slipping or falling, particularly among seniors. They allow the elderly and persons with issues of bending and sitting to continue their daily routine of using toilets comfortably and independently. When you decide to buy a raised toilet seat, make sure that you consider all the important factors and always choose a high-quality one to ensure safety when using the toilet. We hope this post helped you learn more about what raised toilet seats are and their benefits.
References
[1] Mobility Plus, E. (2022, November 25). 7 benefits of a high toilet seat for the elderly. Mobility Plus. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://www.mobility-plus.co.uk/blog/inspiration/the-benefits-of-a-high-toilet/
[2] Cherney, K. (2022, August 18). Best raised toilet seats. Healthline. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/senior-health/raised-toilet-seats
[3] Selemin, J. (2022, July 8). What are raised toilet seats? types and uses. WebMD. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/what-to-know-about-raised-toilet-seats