Do you have difficulty getting on and off your toilet? Do you feel like you have tried all available equipment, but nothing seems to be helping you? Maybe it is time to enlist the help of an Occupation Therapist to help you find a solution to best meet your needs.

Toilets are a common area of difficulty for many of our clients. The average toilet is around 39-41cm in height which is very low when it comes to trying to stand up from it. There are lots of different equipment options on the market when it comes to managing these low heights. But due to the volume of equipment in can at times become overwhelming, as many are not suitable.

Points to consider when reviewing your toilet setup:

• Seat height: The seat needs to be high enough to stand from, but not too high that your feet do not touch the ground. If you have issues with bowel movements, a high a toilet may further impact this. Aids such as footrests may provide some assistance in improving your body positioning.
• Toilet width: Often wide toilets limit the ability to use certain types of equipment like attendants or self- propelled commodes.
• Pan projection: This is an important consideration when looking at circulation space of the toilet cubical area. If the pan projects too far this may limit your ability to turn around within the toilet area or use the appropriate mobility aid.
• Overall Height: If you have any limitations with your upper body the overall height should be considered when looking at access and positioning of the flush controls.
• Replacing your existing toilet with a “comfort toilet”: Comfort height toilets are designed to be higher than the average toilet measuring around 46-48cm high. This style of toilet can be helpful for individuals that have difficulties with low height transfers or have not been able to find appropriate equipment solutions through the use of over toilet frames, toilet surrounds or toilet seat raisers.

How can Supportive Occupational Therapy Services help me:

Our Occupational Therapists can complete a personal assessment of your home environment and how this interacts with your physical abilities. We can also provide a tailored support plan with strategies and tips to help you manage any toilet concerns.

Please contact us to learn more about how we can help you with your toilet setup concerns, and to make an appointment on: 0477 834 795