5 Ways to Make A Toilet Easier to Get On/Off

 Comfort Arms

 Comfort Arms

Getting on/off the toilet safely and easily is often an issue for people with mobility issues from Parkinson's disease to bad knees or a bad back.  Here are three relatively simple and inexpensive ways to make your toilet more accessible.


The most inexpensive solutions:

Toilet frame aka versa frame.

Toilet frame aka versa frame:  The toilet frame or versa frame runs about $35.00 and is a good short term solution.

Pros of toilet frame:

• Inexpensive.
• Easy to install.
• Ok support.

Cons of a toilet frame:

• Shaky, no matter how you install these versa frames still shakes and wobbles which scares some people but they are strong.  

Recommended for:

• People who require stand-by to minimal/moderate assistance with transfers.
• People who perform standing pivot transfers by pushing off surfaces.
• People with short-term disabilities such as recovering from a moderately severe injury or surgery and are expected to make a full recovery.

Not recommended for:

• People over 300 pounds.
• People who 'pull to stand'.
• People who require moderate to maximum assistance to transfer. 

Elevated toilet seats:

 Extra wide elevated toilet seat with legs.

Pros of elevated toilet seats:

• Inexpensive.
• Easy to install.
• Ok support.

Cons of elevated toilet seats:

• Many models are shakey, especially the models that attach with a vice-like device under the toilet rim.
• They often have somewhat narrow openings which get soiled easily and are difficult to clean.

Recommended for:

• People who require stand-by to minimal/moderate assistance with transfers.
• People who perform standing pivot transfers by pushing off surfaces.
• People with short-term disabilities such as recovering from a moderately severe injury or surgery and are expected to make a full recovery.

Not recommended for:

• People over 300 pounds.
• People who 'pull to stand'.
• People who require moderate to maximum assistance to transfer. 

Free-standing commode placed over a toilet:

Pros of commodes over toilets:

• Inexpensive.
• Easy to install.
• Good support.
• Very adjustable.
• Commodes with armrests that drop down are available for people who perform lateral transfers.

Cons of elevated commodes over toilets:

•  Depending on adjustment they can be too high over the toilet and cause a mess.
• Legs of the commode can be a tripping hazard or difficult to maneuver around with a wheelchair.

Recommended for:

• People who require stand-by to minimal/moderate assistance with transfers.
• People who perform standing pivot transfers by pushing off surfaces.
• People with short-term disabilities such as recovering from a moderately severe injury or surgery and are expected to make a full recovery.

Not recommended for:

• People over 300 pounds.
• People who 'pull to stand'.
• People who require moderate to maximum assistance to transfer. 

Grab bars:  Grab bars are strong and versatile so they can be configured in several different ways.

Great Grabz Wave

ADA drawings for grab bar placement in commercial buildings.

Grab bars: Grab bars run $30.00-$100.00 depending on shape, size, style and finish.  Installation runs from $60.00-$200.00 depending on the complexity of the job and if internal backing boards will be installed or if studs are easy to find.

Pros of grab bars:

• Versatile.
• Many sizes, finishes, and designs.
• If installed correctly are a great solid support.
• ADA grab bars must be rated for a 250 pound capacity but many grab bars have a 500 pound capacity.  Check with the manufacturer for grab bar capacity.

Cons of grab bars:

• Can be difficult or expensive to install.  
• Grab bars can't always be placed exactly where they are required.
• If the grab bar is more than 16"-18" on center (or 8"-10" from the edge of the toilet) away from the toilet they are useless, it's too far to get good leverage.
   

Recommended for:

• People who require stand-by to maximum assistance with transfers.
• People who perform standing pivot transfers.
• People who pull to stand.
• People who perform lateral transfers.
• Long term disabilities.

Not recommended for:

• People over 500 pounds unless special bracing and heavy duty grab bars are installed.
• If the wall is too far away from the toilet.
• If there are no studs to attach the grab bar or a backer board. 

Comfort Arms:  Comfort Arms are like armrests for the toilet, they are good-looking, easy to install, and very stable unlike the versa frame. 

Comfort Arms: Comfort Arms come in two widths standard (20" internal width) or wide (22" internal width) with weight capacity for both at 330 pounds.  Comfort Arms run $195.00-$205.00 a long term solution that is more cost-effective than grab bars.

Pros of Comfort Arms:

• Good looking.
• Easy to install.
• Great long term solution.
• Stable.
• Less expensive to install than grab bars.
• Good option for toilets that only have one wall available for a grab bar.  Comfort Arms provides bilateral support.
• Good for transfers for people who utilize 'push-off' transfers.
• Fit North American toilets both round and oblong.
• Can be transferred to another toilet if occupant moves to a new home.

Cons of Comfort Arms:

• Will only support up to 330 pounds.
   

Recommended for:

• People who require stand-by to maximum assistance with transfers.
• People who have arthritic knees, or balance issues such as Parkinsons.
• Long term disabilities.
• People who require a stable surface for transferring.

Not recommended for:

• People over 330 pounds unless special bracing and heavy duty grab bars are installed.
• People who utilize pull-to-stand or lateral transfers.