Potty Talk: Choosing a Toilet Seat for Older Adults
Choosing the right toilet seat is all about your ability to get up from the toilet. The more difficult it is, the more assistance you'll need. Whichever seat you need, remember it's nothing to be embarrassed about.
You’re going to want to sit down for this.
At some point in your life — whether it’s because of joint pain, strength or balance issues, or other reasons — there’s a good chance you’ll have trouble getting up from the toilet. This is completely normal. It happens to many people. Heck, even Superman might eventually need help standing up from the john.
The point is: if you’ve ever experienced any discomfort getting off the toilet, it might be a good time to start thinking about modifying your setup. The right modification depends on your specific situation, but there are typically five options you can choose from:
Arm Rails
Raised Seats
Raised Seats + Arm Rails
Commodes
Lifts
Below, we’ve gone into more detail about each. These are listed in order of assistance offered — as in, arm rails are better if you require some (but not a ton of) assistance, whereas lifts offer the most assistance.
Take a gander to see which, if any, modification might be right for you.
Disclaimer: Needing help getting up from the toilet is nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s absolutely, without-a-shred-of-a-doubt, 100% normal. We promise. So, let’s flush away any toilet taboos we have in our heads and have some fun.
Arm rails
Price Range: $48 - $60
If you find yourself instinctively reaching for, say, the doorknob to help you stand up from the toilet, that likely means your legs aren’t quite giving you the boost you need. If there’s something sturdy nearby, like a vanity or windowsill, you can use that to push yourself up — just make sure to not use a towel rack, as those tend to be flimsy.
Better yet, a set of arm rails can be a very helpful assistant. These are sturdy bars you can place on either side of the toilet that allow you to use your arms to push ourself up and lower yourself down. A standing aide and an arm workout rolled into one — not bad, right? The rails are part of a freestanding device that lives directly over your toilet seat or attach directly to your toilet, and they can typically support up to 300 pounds. The arms are adjustable (and some of them even come equipped with magazine racks!)
Raised seats
Price Range: $45 - $110
If you’re looking for even more support, consider a raised seat. This add-on attaches to the top of your toilet to give you a few extra inches of height when you sit, which makes it much easier to stand up. Raised seats usually range in height from three to six inches.
(Note: A lot of raised seats tend to be circular, not ovular like a typical toilet seat, and as a result can be uncomfortable for men — not a lot of room for the penis. Most companies do offer ovular options, but you usually need to call and request them.)
Raised seat + arm rails
Price Range: $45 - $60
There are also several hybrid options that combine a raised seat with built-in arm rails. These are great options if you require both arm and height support, but don’t want to purchase several devices. Most hybrid options have adjustable arms, so you’ll be able to tweak the height of them depending on your needs. Just make sure you tighten securely onto the seat. Otherwise it’s a hazard.
Same note here about the circular shape — you’ll likely need to request an oval-shaped version if you’d prefer one.
Commode
Price Range: $36 - $55
If the above modifications aren’t enough, a commode — a mobile raised seat with arm rails and a removable basin — is a good option. Commodes typically come with adjustable heights and various widths, making them super customizable in case your needs change.
Commodes can also be placed anywhere — they don’t have to be in a bathroom — so you’ll have more flexibility if moving around is difficult, or if you’d prefer it to be closer to your bed. The basins will need to be removed and cleaned manually.
Lifts
Price Range: $350 - $450
Lastly, if you find yourself in a more severe need of assistance — as in, you’re really struggling to use your arms and legs — an electric lift is a good option. These freestanding devices (think: mini elevators) allow you to ease yourself onto and off your toilet with a controller.
With a lift, there’s not much standing or pulling required — you just sit and let the machine take you up and down.
Again, they’re typically reserved for severe situations. They’re also expensive. Most start in the $350 range.
So… how do I choose?
As you can see, there are a lot of options. What’s right for you comes down to how difficult it is to stand up from the toilet. If you’re still unsure, you can ask your doctor or physical therapist for guidance.
The best thing you can do is honestly assess your needs and select what will be most helpful to you.
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Expert reviewed by
Erika Deutschlander
Erika Deutschlander is a licensed physical therapist and a clinical leader with extensive experience in long-term care. She serves as Vendor Relationships/Credentialing Manager for CareScout.
Written by
Eric Larson
Eric Larson is a writer and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. He’s worked on commercial campaigns for brands like Google, Amazon Fashion, and Casper, and his independent films have screened at renowned festivals in New York City, Los Angeles, London, and Paris.
