 | | | | Medical Health Encyclopedia | |
Toileting safety
Alternative Names:
Bathroom safety; Toilet aides Information:
People with a wide variety of physical and mental impairments may require some modification of the physical environment to improve safe access to the toilet. Bathrooms should be modified to compensate for the person's altered mobility. Text Continues Below
Handrails should be placed near the toilet to assist the person in transferring to the toilet. Remove any throw rugs from the bathroom and all corridors leading to the bathroom. Take measures to ensure that proper lighting is available, in both the bathroom and the corridors. Placement of several night lights may ensure that the person safely reaches the bathroom. Also, some people, especially those with neurological disorders, may become confused upon waking in a dark room. Placement of night lights or motion sensor lights may help to reorient the person to their location.
Special raised toilet seats may be beneficial for people who have difficulty using standard toilet seats (e.g. people who have sustained a hip fracture, or those with arthritis or other musculoskeletal injuries). These items may be purchased from a medical supply company, pharmacy, or hospital supply center. Some insurance companies may cover these devices under the durable medical device provision.
If access to the bathroom requires the person to climb steps or travel large distances, provide the person with a bedside urinal or commode. The commode is a portable toilet that can be placed close to the bed or chair where the person usually resides. The commode should be sturdy and should not slide easily. Adjust the level of the chair so that the person can easily transfer from the bed or chair to the commode.
| 
.gif)
