Best Raised Toilet Seat for the Elderly
Introduction
If you have an elderly loved one, you are probably always looking for ways you can support them to make their life easier and happier. Going to the toilet is one of the more difficult tasks, particularly if the elderly person has health and mobility issues. Fortunately, specially designed raised toilet seats may be a great aid for them.
The raised seat is a plastic molding set over the toilet bowl with different features depending on the model. These seats offer great solutions for common problems, such as a lack of strength to sit properly in their bathrooms, loss of balance, stability, and not being able to bend their knees.
They are designed so that they can be easily assembled or disassembled, making it more convenient for elderly people to handle and manage independently.
Benefits of Using A Raised Toilet Seat
- Closeness
Raised seats reduce the distance a person has to move when they sit down on the commode. They raise up to 3-6 inches of occupied space on regular measurements. But by raising the toilet seat by just a few inches, you can make a world of difference for someone who finds it difficult to sit and then stand up from the toilet.
It helps them to remain balanced and aligned, therefore protecting the elderly person from falling. Raised seats with a larger width are also available.
- Support
In the elderly, the loss of strength in their legs, joints, and muscles makes it difficult for them to sit comfortably on a normal toilet seat. Optional arm supports are really helpful for weak and also overweight elderly people, so they can comfortably and safely use the washroom without the help of caregivers.
- Adjustable size
These raised seats are available in a range of sizes. Before selecting a size, you have to consider the required height, mobility, and comfort level of the person expected to use it. Conveniently, toilet seats are available with adjustable heights and widths.
Many raised seats are wider to accommodate heavier individuals. These seats offer a larger surface area to avoid misalignment.
- Security and Comfort
With the use of these seats, elderly people can use the restroom more easily and comfortably, without any assistance.
There are several extra features for security and comfort:
- Backrests
- Padding
- Straps
- Splash guards
These features alleviate the trouble of staying on the seat for a long period.
- The benefit for caregivers
In the U.S, there are about several million caregivers who help the elderly, which include close relatives. It is sometimes difficult for them to always support the elderly person when using the toilet. Raised toilet seats are, therefore, convenient for both parties.
Best Raised Toilet Seat for the Elderly
You have to buy the best raised toilet seat that provides maximum comfort and safety to the elderly person using it. Here are the best raised elevated toilet seats based on my experiences and user reviews:
Drive Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat with Removable Padded Arms-Standard Seat
This raised toilet seat adds five inches to the height of the seat, which is light, portable, and easy-to-clean. It needs no installation.
A simple locking device provides a consistent fit on almost any toilet. You can easily add or remove supportive metal arms based on your personal preference and need. This seat can support up to 300 pounds of weight.
Maddak Tall-Ette Elevated Toilet Seat
This one is an elevated toilet seat for standard or elongated toilet bowls. This raised seat adds four inches to your toilet seat. It also includes a safety frame and foam armrests for added stability.
Another added safety feature is an aluminum frame that gives the toilet seat more strength and stability. The aluminum frame can bear up to four hundred pounds, so it is capable of supporting more than the average weight of elderly individuals. As this seat has legs, there is no need to install it permanently on your toilet. It comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Carex Hinged Toilet Seat Riser
This elongated raised toilet seatis one of the most comfortable raised toilet seats. It adds 3.5 inches of height to your current toilet seat. The lifted toilet seat will work on both standard round and elongated toilets.
This seat provides anti-slip pads on the bottom and easily fits on top of the ceramic bowl. So, you don’t need to remove the existing lid. This makes it easy for people with mobility issues to sit and get up from the seat easily, without any pain.
The elevated toilet seat has a contoured shape and wide area for sitting. The toilet seat hole is 10 inches wide at the widest point. This hinged toilet seat offers easy cleaning. This seat is slip-resistant and portable.
Vive Raised Toilet Seat – Five Inch Portable
The Vive Raised Toilet Seat adds five inches of height to any standard or elongated toilet bowl. The comfortable padded handles make it easier and safer to sit or stand without bending. It is constructed with a durable composite material that supports up to 250 pounds in weight. The seat is contoured to provide safe and comfortable elevated seating.
Some people find it difficult to install a toilet seat properly and securely. For those, Vive has manufactured this seat ‘Vive Raised Toilet Seat.’ This needs no assembly and no tools to install the product.
Moreover, you can clean it very easily. This feature helps you to maintain the hygiene of the washroom. It’s a portable toilet seat and low in weight. During a road trip, you can easily carry it everywhere. It offers a lifetime guarantee.
Vaunn Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat
This unique ergonomic design adds four inches of height to the toilet seat. Its anti-slip surface, push pins, and locking mechanism ensures a secure fit on the toilet bowl. Its design ensures easy installation, easy cleaning, and regular long-lasting use.
The contoured seat is designed with a broader size surface for added comfort, stability, and peace of mind while taking care of personal necessities in the bathroom. This weighs less than 5 lbs. You can move it easily when traveling long-distances with your elderly relative.
Essential Medical Supply Elevated Toilet Seat with Arms
It adds 3.5 inches to your toilet seat. The handles have a rubber cover on them to keep it smooth on the hands when you use it as a support. The elevated toilet seat will lock securely on most toilets, including elongated toilets.
The use of this toilet seat is convenient as it helps those elderly people who have issues with bending. It can support up to 300 pounds in weight, more than the average weight. This seat is easy to clean.
Conclusion
If you want to make it easier and safer for your elderly loved ones to use the toilet, invest an elevated toilet seat. Although this is an awkward topic to discuss, we will all need help going to the toilet when we are old. The comfort and peace of mind you can give an elderly person by helping them can’t be underestimated.