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As our elderly loved ones age, they can suffer from medical problems that make it difficult to sit down or stand up from the toilet. Installing a raised toilet seat can help make this process easier and less uncomfortable. But first, you must know how to measure for a raised toiled seat.
To measure for a raised toilet seat, take the measurement between the floor and the knee of the intended user. Next, calculate the distance between the current toilet seat and the floor. The difference between these two measurements should be the ideal height of the raised toilet seat.
Read on to learn how to measure for a raised toilet seat in addition to everything you need to know about raised toilet seats.
1. Find the Ideal Seat Height for Your Loved One
The first step is to measure the distance between the floor and the back of the knee of your elderly loved one. This measurement represents their ideal seat height when using the toilet.
Raised toilet seats provide a more comfortable seating position for the elderly and those with limited mobility. They do this by minimizing the distance your loved one has to lower themselves when using the toilet. Therefore, a raised toilet seat must be ideally at or slightly above the knee level for the user.
Why Do You Need To Measure the Distance From the Floor to the User’s Knee?
If you haven’t noticed, standard toilets are designed to ensure the buttocks are below knee level when using the bathroom. Why is that the case?
It turns out that having your hips or buttocks below knee level is the best posture for efficient bowel movement.
Unfortunately, some older adults don’t have the dexterity to reach that low position. The next best thing for them is to look for a squat position that does not cause tremendous discomfort. For this reason, a raised toilet seat must allow them to sit at knee level.
Health professionals find that squatting up to knee level is a lot less tasking for seniors. That is why you are advised to measure the distance between the floor, and the knee of your elderly loved one before buying a raised toilet seat. This measurement represents their ideal toilet seat height.
2. Measure the Height of Your Current Toilet Seat
Measuring the height of your current toilet seat will help you determine which type of raised toilet seat will fit properly in your bathroom. To do this, take out a measuring tape and measure from the top of your current toilet seat down to the floor.
Toilets come in different sizes and heights. By knowing the exact height of your current toilet seat, you’ll be sure that the raised toilet seat you buy will fit both your current bowl and provide adequate support for its intended user.
Aside from measuring the height, note the shape of your current toilet seat. Regular toilet bowls come in round or elongated shapes, so the vast majority of raised toilet seats on the market come in either of those two shapes. By being mindful of the shape of your toilet bowl, you can avoid buying a product that is incompatible with your toilet.
How Raised Toilet Seats Make Your Current Toilet Easier To Use
A raised toilet seat is an apparatus you place on top of the toilet bowl to increase its height, thereby reducing the distance someone has to squat when they want to use the bathroom. Most raised toilet seats add up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) to the height of the toilet.
Raised toilet seats are designed to make it easier for people with knee, joint, or lower back problems to use the bathroom. As mentioned earlier, standard toilets are designed to sit lower than knee height, as that is the most suitable position for efficient bowel movement.
However, people with mobility issues can find it difficult to lower or raise themselves from standard-sized toilets without additional support or assistance.
3. Determine the Ideal Height for the Raised Toilet Seat
The ideal height that you should get for your loved one’s raised toilet seat is the difference between the current toilet seat height and the intended user’s knee level. This way, they will not have to bend down or stretch too far up in order to get on and off the toilet.
This simple calculation can save time, money, and discomfort when it comes to finding a new toilet seat that works best for your elderly loved one. Knowing what size is necessary can prevent you from buying a seat that either doesn’t fit properly in your bathroom or won’t give you the level of comfort desired.
Why Can’t All Raised Toilet Seats Be the Same Height?
The intended user’s height and the current toilet’s height should be taken into consideration before buying a raised toilet seat. These two heights can vary dramatically among different people. If both of these heights are measured beforehand, you can find a raised toilet seat that fits perfectly for your elderly loved one’s bathroom needs.
Benefits of Using a Raised Toilet Seat With the Correct Measurements
The right toilet for your elderly loved one can help reduce strain on the legs, back, and arms. It will offer more support and help them minimize balance problems when using a regular-sized seat. They’ll no longer struggle to get on and off a standard-height toilet seat.
Here are some of the reasons you should consider investing in a raised toilet seat with the
They Are Cheaper Than Tall Toilets
Tall toilets serve the same function as raised toilet seats; to reduce the distance someone has to squat when they want to use the loo. However, unlike raised toilet seats that aim to increase only the seats’ heights, tall toilets are inherently tall by design, meaning the entire unit has been purposely built that way.
As you can imagine, tall toilets are much more cost-intensive compared to raised toilet seats. That is because you’ll not only need to pay a handsome sum for the unit itself but also for the installation.
They Improve Bathroom Safety
Bathroom safety is an issue of real concern among older adults and people with mobility issues. According to statistics, nearly 80% of seniors’ injuries at home occur in the bathroom.
Considering how debilitating an injury resulting from a fall can be to an older person, reducing the risk of a fall occurring in the bathroom is crucial.
That will involve investing in safety features like non-slip mats, grab rails, and raised toilet seats. In fact, you should consider using all of those accessories in tandem, ensuring you leave no stone unturned when making the washroom a safer place for your older loved one.
On that note, check out the Vive Grab Bars on Amazon. These grab bars are made of stainless steel, meaning they are exceptionally durable. They are also budget-friendly, easy to install, aesthetically pleasing, and come with a 60-day unconditional guarantee.
As for a reliable non-slip bathroom mat, you cannot go wrong with the Gorilla Grip Patented Bath Mat, which you can also find on Amazon. This bath mat features numerous suction cups to ensure maximum adhesion to the floor. Additionally, it is soft, machine-washable, and made from BPA-free materials.
They Offer a Sense of Self-Reliance
Using the washroom is one of those activities that everyone would prefer to handle by themselves.
Older adults with mobility issues typically have no option but to accept assistance from their caregivers since they cannot lower or raise themselves without risking injury.
A raised toilet seat coupled with grab bars can allow seniors to handle their business without requiring your help, giving them the feeling of independence that has become increasingly elusive. As you can imagine, the confidence boost resulting from that autonomy can go a long way in making them happier.
What Are the Different Types of Raised Toilet Seats?
Raised toilet seats are not created equal. Some have variations in height and additional features added to enhance your elderly loved one’s comfort.
The most common types of raised toilet seats include:
Portable Raised Toilet Seats
As the name suggests, these seats can be used wherever and whenever. Portable raised toilet seats do not require permanent installation, allowing you to carry them with you for convenience. These seats are typically designed with anti-skid surfaces to prevent slipping or sliding, thus ensuring the user’s safety when using the commode.
Portable raised toilet seats may or may not have utilitarian features, such as hand grips. These additional features depending on the model you choose.
Compared to other raised toilet seat types, portable seats are typically more budget-friendly in addition to being easy to install. However, despite their anti-skid surface, they are more likely to slide and cause an accident since they are not locked in place.
Lockable Raised Toilet Seats
These seats feature a safety mechanism that allows you to secure them tightly on the toilet bowl. As you can imagine, lockable raised toilet seats are the safest of their kind, effectively reducing accidents while your loved one is using the toilet.
Nevertheless, lockable raised toilet seats may require technical skills to install. Luckily, these seats typically come with easy-to-follow installation instructions, meaning you do not need a handyperson to install one for you.
Adjustable Raised Toilet Seats
It might come as a surprise to discover that some raised toilet seats actually allow for height adjustments. That means you do not even need to measure for them; simply lower or raise the toilet seat till you find the most comfortable height for you or your loved one.
Needless to say, the convenience that adjustable raised toilet seats offer you costs a pretty penny. Therefore, be prepared to dig a little dipper into your pockets if this raised toilet seat type fascinates you.
Other Factors To Consider When Buying a Raised Toilet Seat
It’s recommended to research various raised toilet seat models before choosing one. Check out customer reviews online and ask for recommendations from your physician. When narrowing down your choices for the best toilet seat for your elderly loved one, consider the following factors:
- Weight capacity. Raised toilet seats come with different weight capacities, with most supporting between 250 and 500 pounds (110 to 220 kg). You want to be sure that the seat you choose can safely support your loved one’s weight. Thus, look at the manufacturer’s fine print thoroughly before buying one of these handy gadgets to be sure it will serve your older adult well.
- Utilitarian features. Some raised toilet seats come with the bare minimum, i.e., a raised plastic seat, and that’s it. However, others come with a few bells and whistles that enhance their comfort and practicality. For example, some models feature padded seats to provide extra comfort when using the toilet. Padded seats are also excellent for individuals with pressure sores or arthritis.
- Safety features. You may also want to consider buying a raised toilet seat with handles. Handles, like grab bars, allow users to lower or raise themselves relatively easily. If you do decide to buy a toilet seat with handlebars, ensure that the width of the handles is adjustable to accommodate people with larger frames.
- Portability. Does the person you are buying the raised toilet seat fortravel frequently? If that’s the case, you might want to invest in a portable raised toilet seat. Moreover, since most portable seats come at a pocket-friendly price, it would be wise to buy one for convenience, even if you already have one.
- Price. Raised toilet seats can cost anywhere between $20 and hundreds of dollars. Again, the price depends on the seat’s build quality and features. Avoid buying cheap raised toilet seats since they are more likely to break due to poor build quality. Nonetheless, a high price tag does not always mean that a seat is of superior quality.
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Conclusion
Raised toilet seats can make bathroom visits less daunting for people with mobility issues. However, for a raised toilet seat to serve someone well, it must be designed to accommodate their height.
Use the tips in this article to measure a raised toilet seat and choose the most appropriate model for your loved one.
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