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There are so many different ways to make getting on and off the toilet safer and easier. Sometimes simply increasing the height of the toilet with any one of a variety of risers, new toilets, or under toilet risers is enough. Sometimes seating a person with their hips level with or higher than the height of their knees is all that is needed to reduce effort or pain. What if a person needs more help than that? Believe it or not, you don’t have to invent your own toilet catapult. There are many safe and thoroughly tested alternatives!
One option is a self powered lifting seat for the toilet. A reliable and economical choice is the Uplift Commode Assist from Uplift Technologies, Inc. It can be used over most toilets to help people who have a mild to moderate problem standing and sitting. It is not permanently attached, so it is useful for people who expect few changes in ability over the years and renters. It is also something I suggest for people with progressive medical conditions as we can adjust height and amount of assistance provided as they need it, then easily remove the unit entirely if we need to provide even more physical assistance than the Uplift Commode Assist provides.
Whether the Uplift Commode Assist is used over a toilet or is used free-standing with the collection bucket, we often suggest adding a grab bar within arm’s length in front of the toilet for additional balance assist. The Uplift Commode Assist provides tremendous help, but we’ve found that by the time a person decides they need it, they can benefit from something sturdy in front of them to either help with balance or to help them initiate the motion of leaning forward to stand. Really, who wants to wobble back and forth around the toilet? As always, we encourage people to be realistic about their abilities to get the best use from their equipment selection. There are other equipment choices which are better for people who need to move straight up to be able to stand, such as people with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy instead of at a forward angle like most of us. It isn’t designed for people who aren’t able to bear weight on their legs at all, thought I have suggested it to help caregivers help who can bear weight once they are standing.
The Uplift Commode Assist is easy to use once assembled and adjusted for the amount of lift needed. The lever is broad and the equipment was awarded the coveted “Ease-of-Use” Commendation by the Arthritis Foundation in recognition of its arthritis-friendly design. The broad plastic seat is comfortable and easy to clean. We suggest people sit and measure the straight distance from one side of their hips to the other if they are close to the manufacturer’s weight limit of 300 lbs or have wide hips. The seat’s arms are 17.5” apart and while the manufacturer reports that it will lift up to 70% of the weight for a person up to 300 lb, the benefit of the lift will be lost if a person sticks inside the arms. The Uplift Commode Assist come disassembled, but has all the tools and instructions needed to put it together and is covered with a one year warranty.
Click on this Link to purchase the Uplift Commode Assist and use the coupon code UPLIFT10 to save 10% and get free shipping through February 15, 2012.
Check out the user guide here! >>
