How to get on and off the toilet

We probably don’t realise this very often, but it takes a lot of lower body strength to get on and off the toilet safely and comfortably. This can become more and more challenging as you get older; lower toilet seats and weaker legs can have a really detrimental effect on how easily we can stand up and sit down.

Thankfully, there are a few ways we can make this movement simpler.

1. Raised Toilet Seats

Raised toilet seats make it easier to get on and off the toilet because it reduces the distance to standing.

One of the easiest ways to make it easier to get on and off the loo is to use a raised toilet seat.

This means that the seat itself is at a greater height, so there is less distance to travel between standing and sitting. This makes it remarkably easier to get up and down from the toilet seat itself.

Raised toilet seats are easy to install and can offer a subtle, temporary solution for those who only need short-term assistance. They can simply be clipped on to the existing toilet seat and can be provided in various sizes with or without lids.

2. Toilet Frames and Surrounds

Toilet frames and surrounds provide an extra sense of security and help to push oneself up to a standing position.

Toilet frames and surrounds are also an easy way to give yourself a bit more stability and support when getting on and off the toilet. These can be easily assembled and placed around the toilet itself, with an armrest on either side.

This gives the user extra leverage when lowering and standing, and offers an extra layer of security and stability to anyone who may be prone to falls.

Lots of surrounds and frames are adjustable so that they can be fit around any toilet. This also means they can be positioned at the right height for the user, giving them the optimum amount of support to get to standing and seated positions.

3. Drop-down Rails

Offering a more permanent solution than the previous two toileting aids, drop-down rails are fixed to the wall behind the toilet and can be pulled down to offer assistance when the user needs to stand up or sit down. You may have seen drop-down rails before in a disabled access toilet or a Changing Place, where they are compulsory.

Like a toilet frame, the rail offers extra leverage for the user to push up from.

Drop down rails can provide some peace of mind to people who may find it difficult to stand up from the toilet. These can be flipped up when not needed.

As you can imagine, the grab rail needs to be mounted on the wall (usually with screw fixings), and it can then be rotated to a 90° angle from the wall itself. Conversely, the rail can be folded up flush to the wall when not needed, which saves space in a smaller bathroom.

4. Toilet Risers

Toilet risers are a great help for people who may have noticeably less leg strength and balance. They provide an extra little lift for people to get on and off the toilet, and are situated over the toilet itself.

The seat can be pushed up to help the user get back to a standing position; on the contrary, it can also be lowered to a seated position when the user needs to sit down.

Toilet risers are unique in that they can provide a little extra lift for people when standing up.

Models like the Easi-Seat and the LiftSeat keep users independent and safe thanks to their controlled, powered movement. These risers are operated using a handset or buttons on the armrest, and can easily be cleaned with everyday cleaning products.

5. Toileting Chairs

Individuals with fairly poor mobility and leg strength may benefit from using a wheeled commode chair. This wheelchair-like structure can be positioned over the toilet so that the user doesn’t even need to touch the loo to use it.

Chairs in the Ocean Range and the Aquadapt are some of our most popular toileting chairs. As you can see, they can simply be wheeled over the toilet for easy usage.

These chairs can help you get on and off the toilet it the simplest fashion and are easily cleaned for hygiene purposes.

Toileting chairs are more suited to people who have a lot of difficulties getting up and down from the toilet.

Summary

With items like these, getting on and off the loo can be made much easier for those who need a little help. Whether you’re in need of a temporary solution like a raised seat, or you’re looking for more permanent support like a toilet riser, there are lots of toileting aids that can help.