Fall Prevention: Use a Raised Toilet Seat for Safety
- Healthy Aging Essentials
- Oct 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 9, 2024
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Did you know that up to 80% of falls at home happen in the bathroom? It’s a startling statistic, but for anyone helping a parent or loved one age safely, it’s a reality we need to take seriously. The bathroom is one of the most dangerous places in the home for seniors. Between slippery floors, water, and tight spaces, the risks are high. One spot that’s particularly tricky? The toilet.
For many aging adults, simply sitting down and standing up from the toilet can become a challenge. Weak muscles, joint pain, or balance issues can turn this basic task into a struggle. This is where falls are most likely to occur. One simple solution that can make a big difference is installing a raised toilet seat with handles. It’s a small change, but it can greatly reduce the chance of accidents and help keep your loved one safe.
What is a Raised Toilet Seat?
A raised toilet seat, also called an elevated toilet seat or toilet seat riser, is a device that increases the height of a standard toilet. These seats typically add 3 to 5 inches, which reduces how far someone has to bend to sit down. But what sets the toilet riser with handles apart is the inclusion of sturdy armrests, or handles, on either side. These raised toilet seats with arms provide crucial support, allowing a person to hold onto the handles for stability when sitting down or standing up.
Why Choose a Elevated Toilet Seat with Arms?
Less Strain on the Body: Sitting down on a low toilet can be hard on the body, especially for seniors with arthritis, knee pain, or hip problems. Having to bend too low can worsen these conditions. With a toilet seat riser, the extra height makes sitting and standing much easier. Your loved one won’t have to bend as far, reducing the strain on their joints and muscles.
Improved Balance and Stability: The most significant benefit of a raised toilet seat with handles is the added stability it provides. For someone with balance issues, the handles on each side offer extra support. Your loved one can use these sturdy handles to guide themselves onto the seat or push up when they need to stand. This extra support reduces the risk of losing balance or falling.
Fewer Bathroom Falls: With bathroom falls accounting for a significant portion of home injuries, adding a toilet seat riser with handles can dramatically reduce the risk. Many falls occur when people lose their balance or struggle to control their movements while getting up or sitting down. By installing a raised toilet seat with handles, you’re providing extra safety, helping your loved one avoid accidents in this high-risk area.
How to Choose the Right Raised Toilet Seat
If you’ve decided that a toilet riser is a good fit for your loved one, here are some things to consider:
Height: The height of the raised seat is key. Most elevated toilet seats add 3 to 5 inches of height, which is usually enough to make sitting and standing easier. Make sure to choose a height that suits your loved one’s needs.
2 inch raised toilet seat: MOBB Healthcare 2" Hinged Raised Toilet Seat
3 1/2 inch raised toilet seat: Nova Medical Raised Toilet Seats
Handles: Not all toilet seat risers come with handles, but for maximum stability, it’s best to choose one with sturdy, padded arms. These handles are essential for providing the extra support needed to prevent falls.
3 1/2 inch elevated toilet seat with arms: Nova Medical Toilet Seat Risers with Arms
Elevated Toilet Seat with Legs and Arms: MOBB Healthcare Raised Toilet Seat with Support Legs and Arms
Installation: Some raised toilet seats are very easy to install and sit right on top of the toilet bowl, while others may require more secure mounting. Consider the type of bathroom you’re working with and whether a simple, removable option or a more permanent one makes sense.
4 inch toilet seat cushion: DMI Vinyl Foam Toilet Seat Cushions
Peace of Mind for Caregivers
As a caregiver, your primary goal is to ensure your loved one’s safety. While you can’t be with them every moment of the day, installing a raised toilet seat gives you some peace of mind. You’ll know that when they’re using the bathroom, one of the most dangerous rooms in the house, they’re doing so with added stability and support.
Bathroom safety shouldn’t be overlooked, and adding a toilet riser with handles is one of the simplest ways to create a safer environment for aging adults. With so many falls happening in the bathroom, a raised toilet seat is a small investment that can make a big impact in reducing the risk.
Final Thoughts
In the end, adding a raised toilet seat with handles to the bathroom helps in preventing falls. And, someone who is not falling, is able to maintain their independence. Whether you or your loved one is just starting to show signs of difficulty getting around or you’re already taking steps to make your/their home safer, don’t overlook the importance of upgrading the bathroom with a raised toilet seat, preferably a raised toilet seat with arms for additional stability and support.
This simple upgrade can make a huge difference, keeping your loved one safe, comfortable, and confident in their own home.
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