The Pros and Cons of Aging in Place
A complete overview of the good and bad sides of aging in place.
Toilet Help for the Elderly: 10 Tips for Senior Safety
How to make toilet use safer and more manageable for seniors.
Jump to a Section:
- Introduction
- The Most Common Mobility Struggles for Seniors
- Understand Your Limitations and Needs
- Increase the Toilet Seat Height
- Add Support Around the Toilet
- Lessen the Chances of Slips with Non-Slip Flooring
- Improve the Bathroom’s Lighting
- Utilize the Support of a Mobility Aid
- Invest in Accessories
- Move Slowly and Cautiously
- Know When Independent Toilet Use is Not Possible
- Exercise Regularly to Improve Mobility Levels
- Conclusion
In 2017, healthcare providers treated over 234,000 people aged 65 and older for bathroom-related injuries.
Increasingly alarming, one-third of these injuries resulted in fractures—38% of those 85+ required hospitalization.
Bathroom safety is a vital component of senior safety and injury prevention.
One area of bathroom safety is toilet safety. The toilet is one of the most utilized areas of the bathroom. For those with mobility issues, it can be a challenge to use.
In this guide, we'll offer insights into increasing the safety of the toilet for older adults. We'll offer the seniors' most common struggles and how to overcome them.
After reading this article, you'll be better equipped to make toilet use safer and more manageable for seniors.
The Most Common Mobility Struggles for Seniors
25% of older adults experience mobility issues, making it one of the most common types of disability. The most common types of mobility struggles seniors face include:
- Muscle weakness and reduced strength: affects 5-13% of those 60+ and 11-50% of those 80+
- Joint pain and stiffness: More than 50% of those 65+ have some level of joint pain
- Balance problems: One-third of adults 65+ and over 50% of adults 75+ fall each year
- Vision impairment: More than 25% of adults 71+ have a vision impairment
These common challenges make using the toilet a challenge for seniors. To use the toilet requires:
- Balance and strength to sit and stand
- Joint stability to utilize the knees
- And clear vision to see where the toilet is and if any objects are in the way
When any of these are hindered, using the toilet becomes a hazard.
1.) Understand Your Limitations and Needs
Self-awareness and understanding one's limitations and needs are crucial for reducing the risk of toilet-related accidents. This is why it's our first tip.
Gaining a better understanding can be done in a few methods:
- Speak with a caregiver or healthcare provider about your concerns. They can offer an outside opinion and make the proper recommendations.
- Take note of your challenges when using the toilet. Are you able to sit and stand easily? Do you feel off balance? Are you experiencing pain? Answering these questions can give you further insight.
Taking this step first can also prevent you from making unnecessary changes to the bathroom. If you have trouble sitting and standing, but your balance is fine, you may need a raised toilet seat, not grab bars or handles.
Everyone's mobility levels differ, making it important to understand your specific limitations and needs to make the proper modifications.
2.) Increase the Toilet Seat Height
Standard toilets can be increasingly challenging for older adults. Their lower height puts more strain on the joints and requires more strength to sit and stand. Regular toilets measure 14.5", whereas the recommended elderly toilet height is between 17" and 19".
When considering raising the toilet seat height, there are two options:
Install a Raised Toilet Seat
Raised toilet seats (elevated toilet seats) sit directly over the existing toilet. They're much more affordable and less permanent than replacing the existing toilet. They also come in various styles with different installation methods, with or without handles, varying heights, and more.
Learn more about choosing a raised toilet seat in our buyer's guide.
Replace the Existing Toilet with a Taller Toilet
If you're looking for a more permanent and aesthetically pleasing option, replacing the toilet may be the way to go. Tall toilets sit higher than standard toilets, making sitting and standing more manageable.
3.) Add Support Around the Toilet
Adding toilet support for the elderly can alleviate any strength or balance issues. Support surfaces around the toilet offer something to grab onto while sitting or standing. When considering support, there are two options:
Install a Grab Bar
Grab bars are specialized devices that install directly into the wall. They are more aesthetically pleasing than toilet safety rails and tend to take up less room. However, they tend to require installation, which may be a deterrent for those who don't want to drill into the wall.
Place a Toilet Safety Rail Around the Toilet
Toilet safety rails offer a more convenient and less permanent solution than grab bars. These devices install on the toilet or around the outside. They're easier to install and provide more surface area to grab onto.
4.) Lessen the Chances of Slips with Non-Slip Flooring
The bathroom is the most wet area in any home, making the floors unstable. When combined with balance issues, this can be a recipe for injury. Because of this, it's crucial to invest in non-slip flooring to reduce the risk of falls. When doing so, there are a few options:
Non-Slip Floor Mats
Placing a floor mat around the toilet is an easy and quick solution. These mats utilize materials that provide traction when wet. A downside of this option is that these mats may not be as aesthetically pleasing and can be a trip hazard when installed incorrectly.
Safety Treads
Safety treads are an excellent option for those seeking a more subtle option. They feature specialized textures and materials that provide traction when wet. The downside is that they offer less floor coverage compared to floor mats.
Non-Slip Flooring
If you can afford the cost, replacing a bathroom with non-slip flooring is ideal. This option provides complete coverage of the bathroom, making it safer. When considering this option, it's important to consider surfaces such as slip-resistant tile, vinyl flooring, and linoleum. Avoid surfaces such as smooth tile/stone and carpet.
5.) Improve the Bathroom's Lighting
Vision impairment is another common occurrence among seniors. Studies show that 12.2% of seniors 55-74 and 15.2% of those above 75 have vision loss. Because most bathrooms do not have windows, lighting becomes an increasingly important factor to improve.
When considering lighting, there are a few options:
- Motion-sensor lighting: These activate when any motion is detected.
- Night lights activate in dark environments and can help prevent nighttime accidents.
6.) Utilize the Support of a Mobility Aid
Mobility aids can offer additional support for those who need help getting off or on the toilet. A walker, rollator, or cane can sit in front of the toilet to offer support when transitioning. For seniors needing additional help, an uplift cane or walker features extra handles to assist in sitting and standing.
Our mobility aid buyer's guide can help you decide which mobility aid is right for you.
7.) Invest in Toilet Accessories for the Elderly
Bathroom accessories are a price-effective way to make toileting for elderly individuals more manageable. Consider these elderly toilet aids:
- Place a toilet paper holder in front of the toilet instead of behind or on the side. This reduces the need to twist and turn when reaching for toilet paper.
- Place a cabinet or shelving in front of the toilet to store necessities such as toilet paper.
- Consider installing a bidet to the existing toilet. These can remove the need for wiping, which might be a struggle for those with limited range of motion.
- Utilize a long-reach personal wiping aid. These devices feature long handles to aid in wiping without reaching.
8.) Move Slowly and Cautiously
Regardless of age and mobility level, moving slowly and cautiously when in the bathroom is always important. Quick and rash movement can create instability, and cause falls. Consider these instructions for safe sitting and standing when using the toilet:
How to Safely Sit on the Toilet
- Approach the toilet sideways. This position strengthens your core and leg muscles for better stability.
- Use the grab bar or nearby surface for support. Hold on firmly as you lower yourself down slowly.
- Slide backward onto the toilet seat. Avoid lowering yourself directly down, as this can put extra strain on your knees.
- Once seated, take a moment to rest and adjust your clothing if needed.
How to Safely Stand from the Toilet
- Before standing, ensure you feel secure and balanced while seated.
- Lean forward slightly and grip the grab bar or nearby surface firmly. The support surface should be within easy reach and provide a sturdy hold.
- Straighten your legs slowly, pushing yourself up with the grab bar for support. Engage your core muscles for added stability.
- Once fully upright, take a moment to regain your balance before stepping forward.
Another tip when using the bathroom is to wear supportive footwear with good traction. This shoe type can offer extra support over wet floors.
9.) Know When Independent Toilet Use is Not Possible
For some seniors, using the toilet independently is not an option anymore. It's vital to understand this and not deny this issue. Not accepting this can result in injury or death.
One way to test if you can use the toilet independently is through tests such as the Elderly Mobility Scale. Healthcare professionals conduct these tests to help determine a senior's level of mobility. They can be very beneficial in deciding the level of support and care a senior may need.
10.) Exercise Regularly to Improve Mobility Levels
Implementing an exercise regimen to combat physical disabilities is an effective way to make using the toilet more manageable. Seniors can work with their healthcare provider to improve vulnerabilities that pose a fall risk.
When planning your exercise routine, focus on exercises that:
- Improve balance
- Increase strength
- And reduce pain and stiffness
Conclusion
Discussing bathroom safety is essential, especially with seniors at risk of falling. To recap, initiate these tips to make using the toilet safer and more manageable:
- Understand your limitations and needs
- Raise the toilet seat height
- Add support around the toilet
- Reduce the chances of slips with non-slip flooring
- Improve the bathroom's lighting
- Utilize the support of a mobility aid
- Invest in bathroom accessories
- Move slowly and cautiously
- Know when independent toilet use is not possible
- Exercise regularly to improve mobility levels
About the Author
Brandon Landgraf is the Digital Marketing Manager for Carex Health Brands. He finds passion and fulfillment in creating content that enhances, improves, and enlivens others' quality of life. All of his written work is formulated to not only offer essential advice and tips but back it with proven studies and experts. His mission is to connect with readers and provide steps to make their lives better.
You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.
About Carex Health Brands
Carex is your one-stop shop for home medical equipment and for products that assist caregivers with providing the best possible support and care for their loved ones. Carex Health Brands has been the branded leader in in-home, self-care medical products for over 35 years. Our goal is to improve the lives of our customers by bring them quality products that bring dignity back to their lives. With our three nationally distributed brands, Carex Health Brands serves national, regional and independent food, drug and mass retailers along with wholesalers, distributors and medical dealers.