Aging comes with its difficulties. Doing normal tasks like using the toilet becomes a struggle. This article looks into the various toilet aids used to help seniors in such cases.
As one progresses in age, their body also fails and gets weak. This includes weakened bladder and bowel systems leading to incontinence. Elderly people in those times need assistance to make urinary and bowel movements.
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Toilet Aids for seniors is a range of products designed to help them make those movements. Seniors opt to be self-reliant to avoid placing a burden on their caregivers or loved ones.
It is estimated that in many nursing homes, 50 of the residences have incontinence. Most f them do not consider seeking treatment they simply accept the situation. This might be because they believe in their age, treatment would not work. That is why toileting aids are good for them.
Types of Toileting Aids:
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Mobility handrails
One of the results of old age is the inability to walk well. This is due to weak bones and joints. It becomes hard to walk to the toilet. One gets tired easily. Preventing leakages is not possible in such a case. These mobility handrails are wall fixed.
They are meant to make walking easier by providing support to the seniors. When one needs to sit on or rise off the toilet, they just hold on to the rails. They come in different types:
- Hinged handrails to be fixed with hinges
- Space-saving folding models
- Floor-fixed handrails
- Down handrails
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Toilet aid frames and raise toilets
These are designed to give balance to the elderly as they use the toilet. Raised toilets reduce the distance on has to bend to set down. Their installation is easy. Some are padded to give a soft and comfortable experience.
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Commodes
When walking and standing is a struggle, reaching a toilet in a room full of stairways becomes difficult and nearly impossible. To avoid accidents any unnecessary movement, these commodes are designed in the form of normal chairs. The chairs have containers underneath. They act as portable toilets. It does not require any assistance. After toileting, the container is removed for waste disposal and another one fitted. They are of 2 types;
- Mobile commodes – They have wheels and brakes
- Static commodes -They have no wheels. It can be carried
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Urinary beds and pans
For bedridden elderly people, they are unable to use the standard toilet. Sitting us or standing could lead to further complications. To ensure that their hygiene is maintained, their caregivers use the urinary and bedpans. Urinary bottles are mostly for men and women use bedpans.
Factors to Consider when Choosing Best Toileting Aids for Seniours
Selecting the best aid tools for seniors might a critical decision. They are some factors that must be considered. These include;
- It is not just about the selection of the best. The safety of the user must also be considered. It should also be comfortable.
- It is advised to seek the opinions of experts like therapists.
- The size, weight, and fitting of the aid must be considered. Some require drilling on the walls or tiles during installation.
- The storage requirements of the tool. It is best to go for those that can be folded.
- Depending on the user’s likes and preferences. On should select a toilet aid that meets their preferences.
The Benefits of Toilet Aids For Seniors
- They are safe and easy to use.
- These toilet aids build on the confidence of the user as they do not require much assistance.
- They are highly portable like the commodes and can be used for outdoor purposes.
- The different products are readily available in a variety of categories and can be purchased from Amazon.
Watching a loved one age and start to drift away in terms of health is a sad thing. It becomes even harder when one cannot assist them to do simple tasks. The availability of toilet aids for seniors offers a chance for people to partially offer their support to the elderly. Buy purchasing for them these aids and showing them the benefits they offer. It does not stop aging but makes it easier.
