The way a person uses the lavatory when recuperating from an incident, illness, or life-changing therapy can be difficult and uncomfortable. A bedside commode decreases the danger of falls on the way to the restroom for someone who spends a substantial amount of time in bed and is frail or unsteady. Most falls happen at home, and bathrooms are the most common areas. It makes it necessary for seniors to take precautions, such as having a caregiver with them when using the bathroom. don’t have to move far to complete their care when using a portable commode chair near the bed.
In terms of functionality and designs, bedside commodes have made great strides. However, selecting the perfect one can be a daunting task at times. Furthermore, people with impairments or physical limitations may have unique requirements such as handrails, the height of the bedside commode, etc.
- What Is A Bedside Commode?
- Who Needs A Bedside Commode?
- Benefits Of A Bedside Commode
- Types Of Bedside Commodes
- How To Choose The Right Bedside Commode?
- Our Top Picks For Best Bedside Commodes
- Drive Medical Steel Bedside Commode Chair
- Medline 3-in-1 Steel Folding Bedside Commode
- Medline Heavy Duty Padded Drop Arm Commode
- Medline 3-in-1 Steel Portable Toilet With Microban Protection
- Final Thoughts
What Is A Bedside Commode?
A bedside commode is a portable toilet with a bucket and cover in older adults’ bedrooms or living rooms. Such a product provides a more secure solution for persons with disability or fall risk problems who want to go to the restroom independently or with minimal assistance from a caregiver.
Who Needs A Bedside Commode?
A bedside commode makes toilet activities more accessible and easy for anyone at greater risk of harm on their way to the restroom, whether they are recuperating from an accident or have persistent mobility limitations. In addition, a bedside commode is preferable to a bedpan since getting up and out of bed can mitigate bedsores from developing. Finally, you can utilize a bedside commode without help, and it gives people more autonomy in maintaining their care and supporting their needs.
Benefits Of A Bedside Commode
The key advantages of the bedside commode are hygiene, personal space, comfort, and easy access for seniors. Based on a person’s bladder control and agility, the gap between the bed and the bathroom might be alarming, particularly in unfamiliar health conditions without any support, and bed rails are valuable. Let’s look into each benefit in depth below.
Bedside Commodes Provide Quick Access
The elderly bedside commode portability allows it to be easily put or transported to the user’s desired place. This transferability allows the commode seat to be in a convenient location. For example, it can be set up as a bedside commode and placed in the bedroom. It might also be kept in the living room throughout the day and moved to the bedroom at night, and allows the user to utilize the restroom whenever they need it rapidly.
Provides Control And Freedom To Elderly
Seniors or older adults are more cautious in self-hygiene. Despite their limits, people want to look after themselves without seeking assistance. According to a survey, the independence of seniors is also crucial to consider for the caretakers as it can influence the mental state of the seniors. Commode seats aid independence by minimizing motions in and out of the lavatory and potentially allowing the person to go to the restroom without assistance. When caretakers are constantly available, some elders have to decide not to wake them up at night. It is especially true when you need help and would instead wait for them to wake up. An elder commode frame adjacent to the bed saves the older people from this responsibility.
Preserves Privacy Of Elderly People
It is difficult for people with mobility issues to accept assistance from caretakers who are close relatives in going to the bathroom. Privacy is undoubtedly one of the most critical elements that clients should consider because any adult highly regards it. A commode stool can overcome this difficulty by letting the person rely on himself for all physiological functions during the day.
Bedside commodes can help the elderly maintain their privacy by ensuring their capacity to use it for themselves and maintain control when appropriate. Rather than installing a fixed toilet booster, users can place types of extendable chairs immediately over the toilet. Aged adults and caretakers have more minor interactions as a result of this. Some elderly find privacy and independence critical. Hence, the caregiver needs to value their sentiments, and a bedside commode contributes to preserving this privacy.
Bedside Commode Chairs Give Safety To Elder People
Showers and restrooms are often the most unsafe rooms in older citizens’ homes. It is due to the senior’s heightened risk of falling and suffering significant injuries. As a result, commode chairs provide a considerable benefit in terms of protection, making them well worth the investment. The slick state of restrooms and limited areas to move for elderly who walk with walkers can increase the risk of falls. The use of commode seats helps solve this problem. Handrails on these chairs assist the elderly avoid dangerous actions. These rods also make it easier for caregivers to assist those with balance issues and poor strength in waking up independently. It protects the caretaker from injury by reducing the number of trips from the bed to the bathroom and return, particularly at night.
Bedside Commode Seats Reduce Expenses
When elders lose their capacity to manage themselves, they must alter their living circumstances. Commode chairs in restrooms can help postpone or eliminate the need for expensive upgrades. A well-chosen commode can serve as a substitute for armrests and toilet supporters.
Bedside Commodes Are Long Lasting
Most shower chairs are composed of aluminum to prevent them from fracturing easily. The vertical rods are sturdy to provide support to a heavy person. As a result, bedside commodes are cost-effective in the long run. Multiple people can also share them.
Bedside Commodes Are Highly Portable
It is a world where everything is mobile. Commodes provide portability. It’s challenging to leave elders alone at home on trips and holidays. They are unsure if they will be able to comfortably get on with their activities. They must pack their everyday necessities when traveling.
It is achievable because of the ease with which toilet chairs may be packed and transferred. It helps them avoid problems in their daily routines, and the elderly are more able to enjoy their holidays. You can easily stow bedside commode seats in the trunk of a car for transportation. It is something to think about while making a purchase. It’s simple to pack and move light and durable commode. Commode seats help in safeguarding the honor of an older adult who does not want to reveal or grab attention to his loss of freedom to the general public.
Bedside Commodes Make Caretakers’ Jobs Easier
Caretakers ensure that the elderly experience the highest level of care. This job can become increasingly exhausting, so any support that can make it easier is valuable—making caregivers’ jobs easier will enhance the seniors’ and caregivers’ quality of life. The movement will be more effortless with mobile commode chairs that can be placed anywhere in a bedroom. Commode seats are also helpful in reducing caregiver control required in the process. The living space environment should adjust to the individuals who use it. A bedside commode will make it easier for both the caregiver and the elderly.
Types Of Bedside Commodes
Bedside commodes are available in several capacities and with an array of choices. However, before you agree on the specifics, you’ll need to narrow down your options to the commode that’s right for you. 3-in-1 commodes, drop arm commodes, cushioned commodes, and bariatric commodes are the four main types.
3-in-1 Commode
The most versatile commode is a 3-in-1 commode, sometimes known as an all-in-one commode. In addition to being used as the best bedside commode, this porta potty can be a raised toilet seat.
Submit the box edge to the appropriate height over the toilet’s standard size. These commodes usually come with a “sprinkle monitor” that you can use in place of the commode bucket container. Sprinkle monitors are similar to containers without the bottom, allowing the loss to enter the toilet bowl while preventing a mess between the toilet and the commode.
A 3-in-1 commode can be installed over the standard toilet and used as a toilet safety frame and its regular functions. The commode’s frame armrests act as guard rails to help you descend yourself onto and ascend from the existing toilet when used in this manner.
Drop Arm Commode
Armrests on drop arm commodes fold down to make getting on and off the commode or shower chair easier. This aspect comes with a slew of commode chairs, as the drop arms feature can help someone with mobility impairments. Nova Medical Products are famous for their best drop arm commodes.
Cushioned/ Padded Seat Commode
Cushioned commodes give comfort to the potty seat to reduce pressure and discomfort while in use. This extra comfort can make a big difference for people who are thinner or more vulnerable to traumatic injuries and pressure sores. In addition, while ordinary toilet seats appear easy to maintain, commodes with padded seats are built of non-spongy materials such as vinyl, making the chair easy to clean.
Bariatric Commode
Bariatric commodes designed for people weighing more than 300 pounds are durable materials. They may also include larger frames and toilet seats to make sitting more accessible and relaxed overall.
Elongated Seat Commode
A toilet with an elongated toilet seat, also known as a commode with an elevated toilet seat aperture, is more hygienic than a standard toilet seat. In addition, for persons with mobility challenges, the elongated and broader bowl is often easier to use with its larger floor area.
How To Choose The Right Bedside Commode?
There are a few things to consider before buying a bedside commode for elderly loved ones.
Weight Capacity
It is essential always to double-check the maximum weight of the commode to ensure that it can safely support a heavy person’s weight. The majority of standard commodes can hold up to 300 pounds. However, bariatric commodes can sustain people weighing 300 to 600 pounds because of their robust composition.
Height
Purchasing a height-adjustable commode would allow users to select the optimum height for their size and demands. Having the flexibility to modify the commode’s legs also allows caretakers or nurses to position the commode to a level that is usually suitable for several patients’ needs.
Seat Design
Commode chairs for bedside come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For instance, they could be oval, like a conventional toilet seat, or more extended squares. However, more significant persons often choose spacious or higher toilet seats because they provide additional support and stability.
Our Top Picks For Best Bedside Commodes
Listed above are the factors you should consider for selecting the best portable toilet. Below are the top-picked toilet seats for older people.
by Drive Medical
Drive Medical Steel Bedside Commode Chair
Drive Medical folding toilet chair comes in standard size. This Grey-colored bedside toilet seat features:
You can easily place this model’s unique 3-in-1 design over a regular RV toilet. You may also use it as a transportable self-holding tank or a shower chair. This potty seat is foldable with seat dimensions of 13.5’’ x 15’’. The seat height of 16.6’ x 22.5’’.
This bedside chair is simple to assemble. You can adjust the seat height with built-in push pegs to achieve the optimal sitting posture. The seat and lids are sturdy plastic. This foldable commode and potty chair for adults is robust powder-coated steel and comes with comfortable armrests. It can support up to 350 pounds.
Additionally, the bedside commode’s waste tank is easy to empty, with a flexible carry handle and safe bucket lid; use commode liners for even faster clean-ups.
You can find it on Amazon.
by Medline
Medline 3-in-1 Steel Folding Bedside Commode
Medline steel folding commode is one of the best bedside commode chairs for older adults. It is readily available on Amazon. This bedside commode is height adjustable with a 7.5 qt commode bucket. It has a cover and splash lid on the bucket, durable plastic. It is a steel welded construction, durable, and high in strength.
This seat can be a bedside commode seat or a raised toilet seat over an existing toilet. It can support older people weighing up to 350 pounds. It is perfect for older people who have gone through knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery, are physically impaired and are elderly adults with chronic illnesses. Additionally, rubber feet keep the commode in position and won’t damage your hardwood or tile floor.
by Medline
Medline Heavy Duty Padded Drop Arm Commode
Medline heavy duty commode with padded drop arm support gives comfortable transfers of elderly people onto and off the toilet seat, and you can find them on Amazon. This commode seat provides the most effortless transfer. An ergonomically designed potty chair makes it convenient to get on and off the seat. It can be placed nearest the bed for accessible biological functions at night.
The padded commode seat provides comfort and prevents any accidental injury. It can easily support heavy persons or people weighing up to 350 pounds. Additionally, the height of the score ranges from 20 inches to 25 inches.
by Medline
Medline 3-in-1 Steel Portable Toilet With Microban Protection
A Medline commode can be a raised toilet seat over the existing toilet seat. Microban antimicrobial protection is incorporated into the Medline 3-in-1 commode for the item’s lifetime to help avoid spots and odors caused by pathogens, mold, and yeast.
The 3-in-1 design can be a bedside lavatory, an elevated seat over the bathroom, or toilet support rails without the bucket. The installed holder puts toilet paper readily at hand for anyone who requires the assistance of a bedside commode. Additionally, rubber feet hold the commode in place, not harming wood or tile flooring.
Locking push buttons make it simple to modify to the ideal height without needing any equipment. From 23.5″ to 29.75″, in 1″ increment in height. Moreover, a spray guard for toilet use and a removable fastened seat and top make it simple for cleaning.
Final Thoughts
A bedside commode is helpful for anyone who cannot securely access a lavatory or washroom. For people who spend a significant amount of time in bed, having this gadget nearby reduces the chance of injury from a fall accident on the way to the restroom.
When selecting the right bedside commode, it is important to examine who will use it, what place it would be helpful, and the alternative activities for which the elderly may use the bedside commode.
If feasible, accompany the older person who needs a bedside commode to a store or sits down and talk with them. It will provide a better idea of what they require. For example, converse with them about their restroom requirements, etc. Also, consider the size of the room or space where the toilet seat can be adjusted while selecting the appropriately sized bedside commode.
