Due to aging, walking and driving seem difficult because you lose control over your body. Also, seniors face trouble while using the toilet. The good news is that toilet rails are available to help them as they sit down and get up from the toilet seat. So, you can help your loved one by buying a toilet seat frame for them – more importantly, to avoid any toilet-related accidents.
Toilet Rails: What are they?
Toilet or safety rails are mounted near the toilet seat for support while the elderly person gets up or sits down on the toilet or when they’re pushing their wheelchair around the toilet area. You can take your pick from varied types of toilet rail designs, depending on your preferences and requirements.
Toilet rail types vary on the basis of attachments – they are mountable either on the floor or wall or other toilet areas. Alternatively, they come as part of portable frames that fit around the toilet area.
Other toilet rail varieties that are installable in bathrooms include the bathtub safety rails and transfer poles.
Aspects to consider when purchasing toilet frames for seniors
In the following details, you can learn about the important aspects to consider when purchasing toilet frames for the elderly groups.
Handles
Toilet rails come with either fixed or adjustable handles. Also, some models have limited width between the handles while others have adjustable widths. Moreover, you have a choice between padded and non-padded handles.
Weight
The weight capacity of toilet safety is also an important consideration – particularly, in the case of overweight users. While many toilet frames can withstand weights up to 300 pounds, some varieties can support weights as high as 350 pounds too.
So, take the measurements of the senior person beforehand and go ahead with toilet frames that can support their weights.
Material
In materials of toilet seat rails, your choices are between plastic, aluminum, and steel ones. However, in terms of sturdiness and durability, the aluminum garb bars rate higher than the others.
Legs
Go for toilet safety arms that contain suction cups on the bottom-ends or skid-resistant rubber-based ones. Also, you must make sure that the toilet rails are not wobbly or slippery, or else the senior person runs the risk of getting injured.
Fixed Vs Portable
In toilet frames, you can avail the fixed varieties or portable ones. The fixed toilet bars are deemed to be more stable and robust than the portable ones.
Size
Before you purchase a toilet safety bar for an elderly person, you must check the varied available sizes. Ensure that the rail size will fit into their bathroom. If the bathroom does not have much room on the toilet sides, then consider opting for toilet frames that directly attach to the toilet for they do not occupy much space.
Durability
Always go with safety rails that are durable, for preventing the senior person from falling or slipping.
In durable toilet frames, the stand-alone varieties that are attached around the toilet, rather than the ones that attach directly to the toilet seat, are deemed to be durable because they offer a well-defined support frame. Moreover, you need not worry about them breaking or snapping when weight is applied to them because the lower frame provides the requisite support.
Comfort
Everybody seeks comfort in all that they do. The same rule applies when choosing toilet support frames – especially, for the elderly groups. For extra comfort, you can search for models that contain padded armrests for them. And if they enjoy reading in the bathroom, then look for units that contain storage space for their reading material.
