Seniors know the problem of going to the toilet every day. It is difficult for them to get up from low toilets. For them, a toilet seat raiser is suitable.
What is a toilet seat raiser?
Depending on the model, the toilet seat raiser can be plugged on, placed on or permanently mounted on the toilet bowl. The toilet seat raiser is attached to the toilet seat so that seniors and people with hip problems have fewer problems sitting down and standing up. They are used for longer independent use of their own homes. Depending on the model, the toilet seat raiser can be clip-on, sit-on or permanently mounted on the toilet bowl. It is important that the person’s feet can still touch the floor while sitting. The attachment can also be done very quickly, even without great manual dexterity. Alternatively, the employees from the medical supply store can carry out the assembly. Suitable toilet seat raiser for older people, people with hip problems, but also very tall people for whom conventional toilets are too low.
Shapes, types and types
A wide range of toilet seat raisers can be found in stores. These can be provided with their own lid or with armrests for additional support. The hygiene cutout should be sufficiently large in a toilet seat raiser to allow the use of frail people. Furthermore, there are special raising aids, some of which are motor-driven. The armrests can be folded down when sitting on the toilet, guaranteeing comfortable toilet use. When standing up, they serve as a support, so that even people of advanced age no longer have a problem going to the toilet. Most toilet seat raisers are equipped with non-slip surfaces. These provide the user with even more safety, as they cannot slip off the seat. In addition, there are toilet seat raisers made of a very soft, comfortable material. These are particularly suitable for patients who have to lie down for very long periods and are at risk of suffering from pressure sores. This damage to the skin can make going to the toilet and sitting on hard toilet seats a painful ordeal. Even overweight people can find the right toilet seat raiser in stores. Special variants even appeal to people weighing more than 200 kilograms. The dimensions here are chosen to be particularly easy on the buttocks. Furthermore, the toilet seat raiser can be used as a free-standing variant. This can be conveniently moved so that it can be used in different bathrooms.
Structure and function
The toilet seat raiser is constructed like a classic toilet seat. However, it is usually attached to the actual toilet bowl with plastic wing nuts. The attachment must be extremely stable, which is why not every model is suitable. Some models on the market are equipped with unstable fastening materials. This can cause them to come loose if the person sitting on them moves uncontrollably. Very simple models are made of 100 percent plastic. They are attached to the toilet bowl with plastic brackets or clamps or the plastic wing nuts. A more stable attachment is provided by models with aluminum fixings or clamps and brackets made of other metals. The variants with lids replace the actual toilet lid so that it can be removed. In the case of toilet seat raisers with armrests, these should be designed so that they can be folded up and down. Folding them down while sitting gives patients who have difficulty holding onto the toilet more security. In addition, they can use the armrests as a support to stand up. This also eliminates the need for additional grab bars in the immediate vicinity of the toilet. However, there must also be sufficient space around the toilet for the armrests. It should also be borne in mind that not every model fits every toilet. Therefore, the specialist from the medical supply store should check on site which toilet seat raiser is suitable.
Medical and health benefits
The health benefits of the toilet seat raiser are indisputable: if users do not have enough strength to stand up independently from a deep squat position, the raiser is wonderful for not having to use so much leg strength.A slight tilt of the actual seat surface further facilitates standing up and sitting down. In addition, there is a psychological advantage, as patients can use the toilet independently and without assistance for longer. The special pads made of soft PU foam enable even patients with decubitus to use the toilet without pain. Anti-slip coatings on the individual models ensure greater safety for people who have problems sitting safely on the toilet. The risk of injury from slipping off the toilet seat is reduced. The effect is enhanced by armrests that provide a secure hold. A particularly large hygiene cut-out at the front and back makes it possible to implement hygiene automatically after going to the toilet. Since most models are easy to remove and have a low dead weight, cleaning is also easy. In addition, there are variants that are provided with antibacterial coatings. They are particularly suitable for people with weakened immune systems. The costs vary. Patients have to budget between 20 and 200 euros for the purchase. However, if you ask your doctor, you will often be prescribed a toilet seat raiser. In this case, only the usual co-payments for prescribed aids and remedies are incurred. The model can be ideally adapted to the individual patient by varying the height of the seat. It is a good idea to test the optimum height yourself before buying. To do this, it is sufficient to place a few books on the toilet lid to determine the height. Nevertheless, a trained eye from a professional can’t hurt. Increases of three, five, ten or even 14 centimeters are common.
