stability issues at toilet

M5M

DH is becoming more unstable in general, he hasn't fallen much -yet- but I'm looking for suggestions using the toilet. He is trying to see if he can pee sitting down, but standing is such an ingrained habit it may not be workable. He needs something to hold onto whether he sits or stands. I have heard the suggestion to put a walker around the toilet and it becomes grab bars on each side, but the walker we have doesn't fit just right, it is probably just the specific dimensions of this walker. I would appreciate other suggestions, especially something that does not require installing grab bars into the wall….our "water closet" is small to start with, I hate to add something that will be permanent onto the walls.

Kat63

I bought an adjustable toilet safety rail from Amazon and use it in our water closet for the exact same reason. You might look at it.

ronda b

They make a shower/ commode chair that should fit over yours. They use them in nursing homes.

Biggles

Having a similar problem with my DH so I’m noting all suggestions. We have ‘gull wing’ arms fitted to our toilet. No major alterations and can be taken off easily. They are very strong and provide very good sitting and launching support. But our toilet is smallish sitting is ok but standing to pee is so difficult and aiming is getting harder, I have to clean up every morning. I’m encouraging him to sit and pee but this is not easy. I would like a toilet as big as a shower base 900x900.

harshedbuzz

@M5M

It sounds like a toilet safety frame would be an option. It might be easier to get him to sit if you toilet him personally directing him to sit rather than relying on a verbal reminder as he gets up.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=toilet+safety+frame&adgrpid=1343603774125948&hvadid=83975474802091&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=95604&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83975583813644%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=21635_13322300&mcid=9b7653d266de362b87063eb85a83b236&msclkid=0b2a009032491df48eed67455f0b2d4c&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_9hyji7m9fk_e

Standing to pee can be a challenge with dementia. Visual processing will throw his aim off creating work for you. If he's unsteady on his feet, he'll be grabbing on to something to steady himself rather than focus on the task at hand. Grab bars installed into studs on the wall are a safe option if he standing. An ADA /chair height seat can make getting up/aiming easier as well.

Drive Medical Seat Riser with Removable Arms 12402 - The Home Depot

Pat6177

About a year ago, when DH was weak from being sick, I got the toilet safety rails that Kat63 and harshed buzz mention above. Worked like a charm and DH repeatedly told me how great it is. And on the days he didn’t recognize me, he would tell me that he thinks it was Pat who bought it for him and how smart she is. It kind of reduces the sting of not being recognized to hear him giving me such a compliment!

Catmajo

Hi!
I just had this exact problem!
You can buy this small frame on Amazon that attaches arms to the toilet and makes it like a chair. It attaches by the same screws that attach the seat. It's very sturdy and works great!
Drive medical toilet safety rail

jfkoc

GOOGLE TOILET RAILS…THEY MIGHT WORK NOW AS WELL AS LATER

Carl46

You might also try a male urinal. It is basically a plastic quart jar with a flip-up lid, sold at drug stores for about $20. He can stand, or sit on the edge of the bed, hang his penis into the jar, and urinate. Afterward, he can empty it into the toilet. I got one after surgery a while back and still keep it by my bed to use when I don't want to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Another thing that might help is a thick toilet seat. Those are sold in drug stores also. They bolt on in place of the standard seat and make the toilet seem higher. Makes it easier to sit for people with arthritic knees or balance problems.

I'm not discouraging handrails. We had our house built with rails in the master bath and shower, and 15 years later I'm glad we did. I'm just throwing out a couple of easy options.

M5M

good thoughts…thanks.

M5M

Thanks for all the useful suggestions. I found a toilet safety rail that will fit over our toilet and is removable. It doesn't attach to the toilet ….can't attach because we have a bidet that uses the screws. I've also suggested to him to try sitting down to pee, he mostly does this now and that helps with keeping things cleaner.