Toilet Risers to improve accessibility
Toilet
seat risers or toilet risers are assistive
technology devices to improve the
accessibility of toilets to older people or those with
disabilities.
They
can aid in transfer from wheelchairs
and may help prevent falls; most falls in the elderly occur in the bathroom.
Inappropriately high risers may actually increase fall risk.
Here are some
tips for choosing a Safe Toilet Riser device
1) Options - some are just a
plastic seat which fits on top of bowl; another option is a seat/frame that
fits over whole toilet; or a new taller fixture (still may not be tall enough)
and finally a toilet spacer that sits between the toilet and the floor.
2) Safety first! -- Adding
a riser to the seat can be unstable if all it does is sit on top. A user might
feel unsure while standing or sitting as the lightweight plastic tends to shift
about. Many risers are designed to be filled with water that adds weight,
keeping the device in place. Others fasten into the seat nuts becoming part of
the whole. Still others actually sit on the floor over the whole toilet. The
safest choices are "permanent" or fastened to the floor or toilet.
3) Cleanability - One
important consideration when choosing a toilet riser is cleanability. The more
complicated the device the more difficult it is to keep clean. A toilet spacer
or a taller toilet are the simplest options here.
4) Expense - The
least expensive option is one that sits right in the bowl. This may be all you
need for a short term solution. But for long term use, you may want to consider
spending a bit more and installing a toilet spacer which is added between the
floor and the current toilet fixture. The most expensive option would be to
completely replace the toilet with a taller fixture.