I’m not elderly but when I had a massive knee injury from a fall, I was SO grateful that I had specifically swapped out one of my toilets with a tall toilet that didn’t make my knees carry the weight of my body while squatting down to sit on the toilet seat.
You don’t have to order a completely new toilet, though. You can simply order a toilet seat riser that goes on top of your normal toilet seat and helps with people who are elderly (where standing up is hard) or recovery from injuries.
There are two options for you:
Contents
- Best Raised Toilet Seats for the Elderly or Disabled
- Option #1: Toilet Seat Riser with Arms
- Option #2: Toilet Seat Riser without Arms
- Best Toilet Seat Riser Buyer’s Guide
- What Is A Toilet Seat Riser?
- How Does A Raised Toilet Seat Help The Elderly?
- Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Toilet Seat Risers For Seniors.
- Final Verdict
Best Raised Toilet Seats for the Elderly or Disabled
| Name | Price | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toilet Seat Riser with Arms (Editor’s Choice) | $$ | A+ | Buy on Amazon |
| Toilet Seat Riser without Arms | $ | A+ | Buy on Amazon |
Option #1: Toilet Seat Riser with Arms
What I love about this specific model of toilet seat riser with arms is that the arm handles are padded. Maximum comfort because if you’re buying for an elderly person, sometimes arthritis can be an issue and hard metal handles would hurt.
- Installs under your toilet seat
- Arms make it easier to get on and off
- Wipes down easily. Elongated bowl approximately 19.5 inch long and 14...
- Hardware and instructions included
- Removable Arms Provide Support While Sitting Down Or Getting Up
It fits both elongated and round toilet bowls, and you can easily detach it and clean it if necessary. But it fastens without tools, and stays put, so no slippage is possible. Consumers loved it for aging in general, hip replacement, knee issues, or simple loss of strength.
Option #2: Toilet Seat Riser without Arms
If you don’t need the arm handles, but need the extra height, then you can get an additional 4-3/4″ using this type of toilet seat riser.
- A UNIVERSAL TOILET SEAT RISER. A toilet riser that adds 5 inches of...
- FITS ROUND AND ELONGATED TOILETS. The lifted toilet seat will work on...
- EASY INSTALLATION. Toilet riser has anti-slip pads on the bottom and...
- VERY COMFORTABLE. The elevated toilet seat has a contoured shape and...
- SLIP RESISTANT AND PORTABLE. The elevated toilet seat sits securely on...
This version is highly portable, which is great because you can have that stability and support anywhere you go. It’s held onto the toilet by nonskid pads on the bottom, so you don’t have to screw anything in or work with tools to reattach it every time you move it.
It’s also extremely lightweight and comfortable. It gets very high marks from consumers. Go check those out and then decide if you’d rather have the version with handles or without.
Best Toilet Seat Riser Buyer’s Guide
Toilet seat risers for seniors are great at ensuring safety and ease of use for elderly people when using the toilet.
The average toilet height is usually 15 inches tall with the highest being 17inches and that is still too low for old people with joint problems.
Bending joints, knees and hips many times in a day for people with arthritis, back pain and replaced hips can be quite the task.
These are normal issues as people get old and their bones become brittle making every strenuous activity a danger to their bones.
What Is A Toilet Seat Riser?
A toilet seat lifter for bathroom safety is an assistive device placed on top of the toilet seat to improve accessibility of toilets to old and disabled people.
It helps to prevent falls and make it easy to transfer from a wheelchair to the toilet.
Toilet seat risers with arms simply make the toilet taller so it’s easier to get on and off without bending your hips and knees too much.
They come in many shapes and sizes and they can be attached on the toilet permanently or put on the side.
How Does A Raised Toilet Seat Help The Elderly?
1. Independence
Even as people get old and gray, they still want to live with dignity and have independence when it comes to things like going to the toilet and showering.
A raised toilet seat enables the elderly to achieve that independence because they can still go to the toilet without human assistance even if they are in a wheelchair.
2. Prevent Falling
Loss of balance and strength on the legs and arms can cause an elderly person to fall when they are trying to sit on a low toilet.
When the toilet is high enough, the person will have no problem using it without falling.
3. Prevent Pain
Brittle bone, replaced hips, arthritis and many other problems that accompany old age can be very painful.
Old people need a toilet that will require little or no bending so they don’t feel pain when using the toilet.
Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Toilet Seat Risers For Seniors.
Choosing toilet seat risers for seniors is a bit tricky because there is no one-size-fits-all.
The toilet seat risers for elderly are found in many shapes and designs and every individual has special needs that need to be catered to.
Here are some of the most important features to look for when buying a portable raised toilet seat;
1. Height
Different toilet seat risers for seniors have different heights ranging from 2inches to 5 inches.
Some people would think that the highest seat riser is the best but it will be dangerous for someone who is not tall because their legs would be hanging in the air.
Make sure you know the height of the user and buy accordingly.
2. Weight
The average raised toilet seat with arms is able to hold up to 250lbs. however, there are many people who are heavier than this and would therefore not be suitable to use such a seat elevator.
Consider the weight of the user and buy a toilet seat riser with arms and legs that can handle that weight and much more.
3. Stability
How stable is the seat elevator when you place it on top of the toilet seat? Some seat risers come with arms and locking clamps to ensure the seat is secure and stable during use.
However, if the person has good balance, a raised toilet seat with grab bars and simple non-skid pads will do.
4. Portability
The best toilet seat risers for elongated toilets should be easy to put on and off the toilet bowl because not everybody in the home will find it comfortable.
Even if the elderly person is the only one who used that room, the elevator should be lightweight and easily portable to another room in case they need to move.
5. Shape
Be sure that the elongated raised toilet seat is the same shape as your toilet bowl so it can fit perfectly.
Choose a shape that is also easy to clean and has a large sloped opening at the front for male genitals if it’s for a man.
A raised toilet seat or portable toilet makes life easier for those with limited mobility. Here are some benefits you can expect from a raised toilet seat.
- Less pain
- Use the bathroom without assistance or embarrassment
- More privacy and independence
- Enhanced confidence
- Reduced pressure on knees while squatting down to the seat
- Relief for chronic joint pain, such as arthritis
For even greater safety and independence, also try a shower or bath chair.
Who Needs The Toilet Seat Riser?
In this article, we will try to discuss those who need the toilet seat riser and why they will need the toilet seat riser. We will start with discussing how everybody can benefit from the toilet seat riser, before mentioning some other group of people who need them for special needs.
Everybody: It is possible for everybody to benefit from installing a toilet seat riser in their homes. This is considering the fact that everybody will enjoy a higher level of comfort from having a toilet seat riser installed in their homes. Have you wished that you could somehow get to rest your hand when you are in the bathroom or have some more comfort? Most toilet seat risers come with the arm, meaning you can rest your arm on them while you are easing yourself. You will also get more comfortable if you enjoy reading a newspaper/magazine, novel or playing with your phone during the process.
The Elderly: We all know that after getting past our prime, the older we grow, the weaker and more fragile we become. In line with this, sitting down on a very low chair or other low objects could become very stressful and difficult. The toilet seat riser will, therefore, come in handy to increase the height of the toilet seat. The added arm rest will also make it more convenient for them.
People with hip problems: For people who have issues with their hips, a toilet with a good seat riser, will really go a long way to help them. This is considering that toilets with low seats could be very uncomfortable and even deteriorate their rate of recovery.
Safety Tips: Using a Toilet Seat for Elderly Adults
Raised toilet seats allow those with limited mobility go to the bathroom alone, but safety is still a concern. Moving slowly and maintaining balance and control are crucial to preventing an injury. Implement these safety tips when using a raised toilet seat.
Balance
Always make sure you are balanced before sitting or standing. If possible, your feet should be at about shoulder-width to maximize balance. As you squat down, don’t shift your knees forward past your toes. This places a lot of pressure on the knees.
Force
If too much force is applied to the raised toilet seat or toilet seat handles, the toilet can slip. Make sure the toilet seat will support your weight. If you need to put most of your weight on the handles, consider using an aid until you gain more strength.
Clamp
Make sure both the clamp and toilet seat are secure. A wobbly, unsecure toilet seat may cause injury.
Fit
If your toilet seat wobbles or is unstable, it likely doesn’t fit your toilet. Never settle for a wobbly toilet seat. If it isn’t secure, send it back.
Most household falls happen in the bathroom. Make your bathroom as safe as possible by using safety products and implementing simple safety tips.
Regain Your Independence with a Toilet Seat for Elderly Adults
A toilet seat can make a huge difference in your ability to use the bathroom independently. Most are easy to install and use, too! If you suffer from pain or limited mobility, these devices are an affordable way to get rid of bathroom embarrassment. And a raised toilet seat for handicapped seniors creates a whole new level of safety and independence. We’re sure the seats we’ve listed will make a huge difference in your life.
How to Install a Toilet Seat Riser?
STEP 1: Remove the Toilet Seat.
A toilet seat riser needs a level and tight fit to keep its safety and hygienic properties. A series of screws attach the original toilet seat. Place the toilet seat hinges behind the current toilet seat. A cap often covers the screws of the hinges. The screwdriver will be used to lift up the caps from the toilet seat hinges. Next, to remove the screws from the hinges, you will need the screwdriver. Some plumbers use silicone to seal the hinges to the toilet seat. If that is the case, you can use the utility knife to cut the silicone by inserting it between the hinge and the toilet bowl. Easily follow the dimension of the hinge, once the screws are out and the silicone cut, you can lift the toilet seat from the base.
STEP 2: Set up the Toilet Seat Riser
The best thing about a toilet seat riser is how simple they are to attach with your toilet; it will fit on every toilet. The majority of toilet seat risers link to the toilet base with 3 or more plastic clips. The toilet seat riser will have notches on the front and each side. Put in the clips under the lip of the toilet bowl and the place the toilet seat riser on top of the toilet bowl and align the clips. Finally, push the seat down until it locks. Some toilet seat risers have dials that you turn to create a stronger seal.
STEP 3: Attach the Lid
Take off the hinges from the old toilet seat and lid by the screwdriver. You will only need to use the lid. Lift the hinges on the toilet seat riser and screw the toilet seat lid into right place.
To sum up, Toilet Riser is the best solution to obtain increased stability and ease getting on and off the commode. Each raised toilet seat riser is created to lower the need to bend down. Besides that, it is also minimizing the risk to those who have delicate hips and joints and provide greater safety and cause less strain for mobility patients. It is also called as the Bathroom Assist Devices that are easier to sit down upon and easier to get up. They provided increased bathroom safety by decreasing injury risks related to bathroom falls as a specialized commode seat. Some of these elevated toilet seats come with grab handles or armrests to provide additional aid in sitting or getting up for people with decreased mobility.
Final Verdict
Getting the best toilet seat riser for you or your elderly ones will go a long way to make the period you use the toilet more comfortable and will also go a long way to reduce the risks you will be exposed to. You might have to talk with your elderly ones to know the type of toilet seat they will prefer for their toilet. Overall, it will be difficult to go wrong getting a toilet seat with arms if you are buying for an elderly one.
You should, however, confirm from them as some of them might prefer a toilet seat that does not come with arms. You should also ensure that the toilet seat risers are very stable and secure. Any of the 5 toilet seat risers explained above will be able to serve you or your elderly ones. They are easy to install, comfortable and safe to use.
Thank you for helpful hints. It helped us with the installation of the Seat Riser! My husband added the non-slip material that is used in the kitchen under glassware to put around the rim of the toilet bowl and also used double sided sticky tape to hold down the not slip material to keep the seat from sliding side to side. Once that was done, there were no problems. I even got to keep my soft padded toilet seat. Anyone with back and knee issues will love my Drive Medical Premium Seat Riser with Removable Arms!
Seat Riser with Arms has been a life saver for my elderly mom who stays with us frequently. It was easy to install, and is very sturdy. Doesn’t wobble around or move at all. I wouldn’t suggest you get this though if you need something for a temporary situation and you want to remove it frequently. She has her own space that no one else uses, so this wasn’t a concern for us. One thing to note is that you cannot use this with a slow close toilet seat. We had to replace ours with a standard seat to have it operate properly.
My arthritis sent me searching for Best Toilet Seat Riser. At first, I thought about replacing my current toilet with a higher unit. However, none of the fixtures in my bathroom are white and to replace them all would run into thousands of dollars buying new ones plus plumbing labor. I went into Google, searched and found Essential Medical Supply and figured I had nothing to lose by trying it. It arrived promptly, and my husband installed it immediately. The height of my toilet is now super comfortable; the unit stays in place without moving and cleaning the toilet is not different than before. I would highly recommend this product to anyone regardless of age.