A Complete Guide to Raised Toilet Seats

Daily routines can easily be askew when elderly or disabled individuals experience issues with their legs, back or joints. Actions or tasks that seem easy to able-bodied people can become large undertakings with these mobility restrictions, so something as simple as sitting down and getting back up can be a difficult and painful experience. If these issues are ongoing, they may threaten the independence of mobility restricted, disabled and elderly people.

In order to maintain safety, comfort, and independence, many safety aids are available, one of which being a raised toilet seat. A raised toilet seat adds height to the existing toilet seat, making it easier for the user to lower themselves down, putting less pressure on their legs and joints.

Commonly Found Variations Of Raised Toilet Seats

● Raised Toilet Seat with Locking Mechanism

Raised toilet seats with a locking mechanism ensure that the user will be secure when in the seated position and that the safety aid will not move around causing the user to fall, or slip off the seat. The locking mechanism depends on the installation method for the seat – some seats are designed to replace an existing toilet seat, while others are designed to be placed on top of an existing seat. If the raised seat is replacing an existing seat, the security will be the same as a regular toilet seat.

● Portable Raised Toilet Seat

Portable raised toilet seats are great options for users who may be sharing a bathroom with individuals who aren’t struggling with leg or joint issues. This style of the seat can be removed from the toilet with ease, and put back onto the existing toilet whenever necessary.

● Raised Toilet Seats With Arms

If a user needs extra support when lowering and lifting themselves, a raised toilet seat with arms may be the safest option. This style of seat is equipped with extra support arms that the user can rest their hands on, and grab a hold of while moving between seated and standing positions for extra security.

● Raised Toilet Seats With Lid

This style of toilet seat allows for the aid to seamlessly blend into the existing bathroom environment, a great feature if the user is sharing a bathroom with people who may not necessarily require a raised seat. The lid of a raised toilet seat also often allows for easier access to the lifting mechanism, while still maintaining a cleanly bathroom look.

● Padded Raised Toilet Seats

Comfort is essential to being able to use a product long term. For the elderly and disabled, mobility restrictions may be a constant part of their life, meaning that a padded seat will be a great option to ensure their comfort.

A Quick Buying Guide For Raised Toilet Seats

Before purchasing a raised toilet seat, a number of factors and features need to be considered to ensure that the user’s needs are adequately being met.

1. Shape and Width of Your Toilet Bowl

Before the installation of a raised toilet seat takes place, the best place to start is with the measurements of your existing toilet bowl. A majority of raised toilet seats are designed to fit standard toilet bowls that most people would have in their homes, but it never hurts to check this before purchasing.

2. The Level Of Elevation Required

Raised toilet seats come in varying heights so that each individual’s needs can be met. A user with leg problems would need a different height of seat to someone who may be struggling with joint problems. The best way to gauge what level of elevation is required is to see where a user can comfortably bend to without discomfort, and measure that distance from the toilet seat.

3. Presence of Grip on Handles

Handles or support arms attached to the raised toilet seat can provide an extra level of security and stability when moving between seated and standing positions, however, an extra level of grip may be necessary for some individuals. Many raised toilet seats with arms come with textured grip panels to ensure that the user can safely and comfortably grip the support arm when moving.

4. Width Of the Handles

Safety and comfort should always come first when fitting any kind of safety aid – and being able to grip the support arms or handles of a raised toilet seat is essential. The diameter of the handle needs to be able to be comfortably gripped by the user. Too large of a handle and the user may not be able to grip it at all, and if the handle is too small, it may not be viable for them to grip it either. The best way to check this is to have the user test them before installation by simply placing their hand around the support.

5. The Weight Capacity

A majority of raised toilet seats can safely hold the body weight of a user, however, it is always best practice to check the weight capacity of any safety aid you may be installing. If a user is bigger, they may require their raised seat to be made of a certain material. Generally, however, is a user can safely use a regular toilet seat, they should not run into issues with weight capacity on raised toilet seating.

Other Toilet Aids to Consider With Raised Toilet Seats

● Grab Bars

Grab bars allow for an extra level of support and security when moving around the bathroom. They attach to the wall and provide something for a user to grip to avoid slips or falls that could result in injury.

● Support Arms

Similar to grab bars, support arms give user’s something to hold onto when moving around the bathroom. This option, however, can often be moved out of the way when not in use, and often isn’t designed to bear the body weight of a user.

● Toilet Frame

Toilet frames are easily installed around the base of a toilet bowl, and provide two support arms on either side of a user when they are using the toilet. This means that they can easily move between seated and standing positions. This aid would be particularly useful if the raised toilet seat you’ve purchased does not come with arms attached.

Some Final Words

Raised toilet seats are a great way to ease pain and discomfort for users who are struggling with leg or joint pain. If you’re struggling to decide which aid would be best suited to a user, a great place to start is the raised toilet seat with padding, as this option provides safety, comfort and can be bolstered with a toilet frame if it is deemed necessary later on.