Toilet aid is valuable for older people who have difficulty moving or standing and sitting. It helps people with mobility restrictions that can walk only a short distance to the toilet. However, a commode chair as an independent toilet aid doesn't require any plumbing and has an opening with a basin to collect urine and faeces. It can suit people with severe mobility limitations that find it difficult to walk even short distances.
Moreover, for those with space limitations or budget concerns, a dual-purpose shower-commode chair is also available in the market that doesn't require transferring patients to a commode separately.
Read on the post to learn how to help someone use a raised toilet seat and clean it.
1. Before Use
Strictly adhere to the weight-bearing capacity of the toilet seat.
Ensure that the seat is in good condition and is not damaged or broken.
Adjust the seat to the height of the person. In general, the feet of the user should be flat on the ground and knees slightly above the posterior height in the sitting position.
Lift up the seat.
If possible, encourage them to stand at the front of the seat and feel the toilet seat behind their knees by themselves.
If there is a toilet frame fitted, help them put their hands on armrests with even pressure to avoid tipping. If there is no toilet frame, you can give them a little support yourself.
Encourage them to bend at their waist and lower onto the seat slowly by themselves. At the same time, see to it that they don't end up losing balance and stay there for urgent support that they may need.
If need be, you can help them bend by applying your hand at their lower back and giving a gentle forward push.
2. During Use
Clearly instruct the user to keep their weight in the centre. Leaning excessively to the left or right side or backwards may cause the user to tip over and lead to accidental injuries. Further, it may cause damage to the seat as well.
It may be possible that the user may need a little privacy while in the toilet. Make sure that you respect that privacy and don't stand in his sight throughout. At the same time, you should also keep in mind that the user may still need you for some urgency and you must be present nearby in case he calls for any urgent help.
3. After Use
Once the patient has finished using the toilet seat, they may require you to help stand up. Below are the tips on how you can help.
Help the person stand up with the support of the toilet frame by pushing their arms against the armrests.
Instruct them to apply even pressure on armrests to prevent tipping. If need be, you can give a gentle forward push by applying your hand to the lower back. Remember that you never pull on their arms to help them stand up.
Never allow the user to put their arms around your neck while helping them for complete support. This is because if the user does that, you may not be able to withstand their entire weight on you and lose your own balance. Losing your own balance may cause you to fall over and injure both you and the user.
How to Clean a Toilet Seat?
Always refer to the cleaning guidelines in the user manual first.
Here are a few general cleaning tips that you can follow for almost all variants.
Clean the toilet seat with a non-abrasive cleaning agent. A domestic cleaner can also work but ensure that it is mild. Strong cleaners may cause damage to its surface.
A diluted disinfectant is generally ideal for cleaning a toilet seat.
After washing the seat, rinse it with warm water.
Wipe the seat dry with a clean, non-abrasive, dry piece of cloth.
In a Nutshell
A raised toilet seat and a commode chair form two toilet aids are of great help for patients with mobility restrictions. By following the above-mentioned instructions, you can help a person use a toilet seat properly and clean and maintain the seat to ensure its longevity.
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