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| Comfort Arms |
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| Comfort Arms |
Getting on/off the toilet safely and easily is often an issue for people with mobility issues from Parkinson’s disease to bad knees or a bad back. Here are three relatively simple and inexpensive ways to make your toilet more accessible.
The most inexpensive solutions:
Toilet frame aka versa frame.
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Toilet frame aka versa frame: The toilet frame or versa frame runs about $35.00 and is a good short term solution.
Pros of toilet frame:
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to install.
- Ok support.
Cons of a toilet frame:
- Shaky, no matter how you install these versa frames still shakes and wobbles which scares some people but they are strong.
Recommended for:
- People who require stand-by to minimal/moderate assistance with transfers.
- People who perform standing pivot transfers by pushing off surfaces.
- People with short-term disabilities such as recovering from a moderately severe injury or surgery and are expected to make a full recovery.
Not recommended for:
- People over 300 pounds.
- People who ‘pull to stand’.
- People who require moderate to maximum assistance to transfer.
Elevated toilet seats:
Pros of elevated toilet seats:
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to install.
- Ok support.
Cons of elevated toilet seats:
- Many models are shakey, especially the models that attach with a vice-like device under the toilet rim.
- They often have somewhat narrow openings which get soiled easily and are difficult to clean.
Recommended for:
- People who require stand-by to minimal/moderate assistance with transfers.
- People who perform standing pivot transfers by pushing off surfaces.
- People with short-term disabilities such as recovering from a moderately severe injury or surgery and are expected to make a full recovery.
Not recommended for:
- People over 300 pounds.
- People who ‘pull to stand’.
- People who require moderate to maximum assistance to transfer.
Free-standing commode placed over a toilet:
Pros of commodes over toilets:
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to install.
- Good support.
- Very adjustable.
- Commodes with armrests that drop down are available for people who perform lateral transfers.
Cons of elevated commodes over toilets:
- Depending on adjustment they can be too high over the toilet and cause a mess.
- Legs of the commode can be a tripping hazard or difficult to maneuver around with a wheelchair.
Recommended for:
- People who require stand-by to minimal/moderate assistance with transfers.
- People who perform standing pivot transfers by pushing off surfaces.
- People with short-term disabilities such as recovering from a moderately severe injury or surgery and are expected to make a full recovery.
Not recommended for:
- People over 300 pounds.
- People who ‘pull to stand’.
- People who require moderate to maximum assistance to transfer.
Grab bars: Grab bars are strong and versatile so they can be configured in several different ways.
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| Great Grabz Wave |
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| ADA drawings for grab bar placement in commercial buildings. |
Grab bars: Grab bars run $30.00-$100.00 depending on shape, size, style and finish. Installation runs from $60.00-$200.00 depending on the complexity of the job and if internal backing boards will be installed or if studs are easy to find.
Pros of grab bars:
- Versatile.
- Many sizes, finishes, and designs.
- If installed correctly are a great solid support.
- ADA grab bars must be rated for a 250 pound capacity but many grab bars have a 500 pound capacity. Check with the manufacturer for grab bar capacity.
Cons of grab bars:
- Can be difficult or expensive to install.
- Grab bars can’t always be placed exactly where they are required.
- If the grab bar is more than 16″-18″ on center (or 8″-10″ from the edge of the toilet) away from the toilet they are useless, it’s too far to get good leverage.
Recommended for:
- People who require stand-by to maximum assistance with transfers.
- People who perform standing pivot transfers.
- People who pull to stand.
- People who perform lateral transfers.
- Long term disabilities.
Not recommended for:
- People over 500 pounds unless special bracing and heavy duty grab bars are installed.
- If the wall is too far away from the toilet.
- If there are no studs to attach the grab bar or a backer board.
Comfort Arms: Comfort Arms are like armrests for the toilet, they are good-looking, easy to install, and very stable unlike the versa frame.
Comfort Arms: Comfort Arms come in two widths standard (20″ internal width) or wide (22″ internal width) with weight capacity for both at 330 pounds. Comfort Arms run $195.00-$205.00 a long term solution that is more cost-effective than grab bars.
Pros of Comfort Arms:
- Good looking.
- Easy to install.
- Great long term solution.
- Stable.
- Less expensive to install than grab bars.
- Good option for toilets that only have one wall available for a grab bar. Comfort Arms provides bilateral support.
- Good for transfers for people who utilize ‘push-off’ transfers.
- Fit North American toilets both round and oblong.
- Can be transferred to another toilet if occupant moves to a new home.
Cons of Comfort Arms:
- Will only support up to 330 pounds.
Recommended for:
- People who require stand-by to maximum assistance with transfers.
- People who have arthritic knees, or balance issues such as Parkinsons.
- Long term disabilities.
- People who require a stable surface for transferring.
Not recommended for:
- People over 330 pounds unless special bracing and heavy duty grab bars are installed.
- People who utilize pull-to-stand or lateral transfers.