Handicap Toilet Seats

Handicap toilet seats make going to the toilet an easier task for those with limited mobility.  There are various different kinds of handicap toilets. Some have raised toilet seats, some have handles, some are padded and some toilets are elongated. Recent Japanese designs even swivel so the user can find the most comfortable position for them.

For people who do not have excellent use of their legs, an alternative toilet seat can make going to the toilet a much more comfortable experience. A raised seat can make it easier to get up off the toilet after use and padding can help support the legs as well as add height and comfort. The padding is usually removable for easy cleaning. Some toilet seats have the option of adjusting the height so the user can tailor their toilet to themselves. Most handicapped seats are raised to a height that makes getting from a wheelchair easier.

Other designs have a much wider toilet seat so that weight is distributed over a larger area ensuring maximum comfort for the user. The elongated toilet seat is a popular example of this. It takes up much more space than a standard toilet seat but is an invaluable aid to people with larger bottoms. There are also those toilet seats without lids so a severely disabled person does not have the added hassle of raising or lowering the seat when they use the toilet.

Added handrails can also be a benefit as they enable the user to put some weight on their arms as they lower themselves onto the toilet seat. They help keep themselves steady and give something to pull themselves back up with. Handrails give optimum control for the user. It is possible to purchase rails that attach to the wall rather than the seat and these can fold up out of the way when not in use. Handrails are recommended as these remove the danger of putting too much weight on one side of the riser and toppling over.

One very good toilet seat to try is by Improving Lifestyles. Their Raised Toilet Seat Riser with Arms is placed underneath the toilet seat and fits securely to the bowl. The seat and arms are made of moulded plastic and they add an extra 3.5 inches to the height of the toilet. It is not one of the more expensive seats, yet it works as well, if not better, than these. The standard version does not fit on elongated bowls but they do have another version which is designed for this. It is easy to install and easy to clean as you do not need to remove it to do this.

Handicap toilet seats are a very important part of allowing some independence in an otherwise assisted life. Using the toilet is quite a private thing, and so a specially adapted toilet seat can be quite important tool for a handicapped person to maintain their dignity.