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Looking for the best reviews and information about raised toilet seats that are best suited for the elderly, handicapped or for those needing more than just a flat basic toilet seat?
If you or a loved one is struggling to use a standard toilet seat due to the height or access and mobility to the one you have now, then this article is for you.
Medical and disability experts all agree that using such products is helping the elderly to keep own dignity and self-esteem when using or going to the toilet that we younger folk take for granted.
These toilet seat risers and safety devices have grown in popularity throughout and with new and improved products coming out consistently, there is a battle between the top competing players for your dollars. While some brands exceed the minimum requirements set aside by the ADA, yet others barely meet these requirements and standards at all
So, what is the best-raised toilet seat for the elderly?
To help you answer that and other’s questions like where to buy, we have created this ultimate go-to site for everything related to these products and more.
All our reviews are all well researched to provide you with the latest and best information and unlike other websites, they will give you an unbiased opinion of the products.
We also recognize that not everyone has or needs the same shape, height or style of toilet seat riser, our reviews will cover the most popular brands and products to suit your needs, including raised toilet seats with handles, commode seats, even toilet seat extenders.
We have knowledgeable recommendations for all toilet seat and elderly safety products, and we guarantee our testimonials will beat any large department store chain that has everything for everyone but don’t know anything about any of it or a drugstore clerk—hands down.
Besides in giving you the best reviews on raised toilet seats for the elderly, we also provide for you in-depth information throughout this website. Answering the most popular questions that we come across, questions like “Does this product meet the safety standards” or “where to get the best price from”, all those questions are answered and many more.
We even have some How-to videos on how to install certain toilet seats and how to measure yours up so you can order the correct one first go.
Even though the seats on conventional standard toilets are installed at a universal standard height right around the world, when our mobility of movement is effected, it seems to be too low which makes the movement of sitting down and getting up so much harder.
It becomes a strain on your knees, hips, and muscles not to mention unsafe to the risk of causing possible more injury.
For some elderly people, it is simply impossible to use such toilets.
Not only it is uncomfortable it can also cause additional injuries and health problems.
Raised toilet seats are perfect in those situations. They are completely adjustable, portable and easy to use and install.
What Is A Raised Toilet Seat?
Toilet seat extenders or risers are mounted directly down and lock onto your existing toilet bowl. The height of these risers come in a range of heights depending on the needs of the individual person how much lift you need. With the advanced technology of safety equipment, thanks to these devices like raised toilet seats, they’re giving back to the elderly and handicapped their self-confidence, mobility, and respect not relying on others to perform simple tasks like going to the toilet again.
Not only you are able to get toilet seat risers that attach to the toilet but you can get adjustable seats that sit over the toilet bowl called commode chairs. These are a great choice and option to that may be better suited to your needs. Maybe even a soft raised toilet seat may even be an option. As you can see there is a variety to choose from and we will cover most of them on this site.
Why Use a Raised Toilet Seat?
Raised toilet seats are mainly used for those with limited mobility or who need assistance when using the toilet.
Depending on the brand and style elevated seats can attach to the toilet like a standard toilet seat does or can just sit on the rim or have it’s own legs and sits over the toilet.
Some have added features such as padded armrests and guardrails.
Our Reviews Of The Top Rated Products On The Market Now!
If you are looking for a quick rundown of the best toilet seat riser reviews, check out our top five reviews so you can buy the one that suits you today.
Product | Height | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 #1 Vaunn  | 4 Inch | $$ | ||
 #2 Vive | 5 Inch |
| $$ | |
#3 Drive Medical | 5 Inch | $ | ||
# 4 Yunga Tart | 4-3/4 Inch | $ | ||
#5 Vive Stand Alone | Fixed To ADA Height |
| $$ |
#1 – Vaunn
There is no assembly needed and installation is as simple as 1,2,3 with its Ezylock locking system. Approved by the ADA so you know that quality and safety have been taken care of meeting those standards protecting us from faulty or crap products that can cause more harm than good.
If the reviews and the customer opinions are anything to judge by, Vaunn will be staying among the best for a long time. And at this price, which is the lowest its ever been, you’ll save a ton of money. Just make sure to click the link below for the best savings.
October 7, 2018. I had total knee surgery and was not going to purchase this item because I didn’t care for the price, but my physical therapist pushed me to get it, and I am so glad I did! I could never have used a regular height potty after my surgery. To read more click here…
If you’re just looking for our overall best choice which is the Vaunn Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat you can click on the link below for the best price…
Things To Look For When Choosing Raised Toilet Seat For The Elderly
Before choosing any raised toilet seat you have to know what exactly you need it for.
This will help you decide if you need any additions to the seat.
Elderly toilet seats that are raised can come with arm and backrests with padded seats or support frames. They’re all designed to help you in lowering and raising yourself.
Next, you need to know a few specifications of your existing toilet as choosing the wrong model could compromise safety.
This means you need to calculate the distance from the floor to your existing toilet seat and calculate how much you want or need it to be raised that will suit you.
You also have to be careful about the shape of your toilet.
For example, an oval raised seat will not be safely secured and installed to fit on a round or elongated shape toilet.
Make sure to consider which bathroom you will put it in before buying it.
Generally, it is best to install it in the most accessible and frequently used bathroom for the user.
Most raised toilet seats can handle up to 250 pounds so if the person using it is of heavier build make sure to buy specialized fixtures with a higher capacity.
Note that grab bars might have to be installed to help heavier people use the bathroom.
The Benefits Of Using Raised Toilet Seats is Safety For The Elderly
The benefits of the raised toilet seat for the elderly are numerous.
They make it more comfortable to use the bathroom with painful joints, hips or knees.
They also help with the stability and shorten the distance that a person has to lower and raise back up from.
Different additions like support frames and arm, foot, and backrest help these people have more independence when using a toilet.
Using an elevated toilet will prevent the progression of the injury or illness as well.
Conventional toilets often cause knee and back pains from sitting so low so raised seats would prevent this. It is also possible to add straps for extra safety.
Raised toilet seats for the elderly are also extremely beneficial to the caregiver. It provides help and extra safety when helping the elderly or disabled to use the bathroom.
It can reduce the strain of lowering and raising thus prevent back pain.
Once you’ve decided on buying a raised toilet seat and calculated all your specifications and went through all the needs, make sure not to rush the buying process.
There are many models, manufacturers, and providers.
Raised Toilet Seat With Handles-Which One Is Best For You?
On this post will take a look at Vaunn elevated raised toilet seat with handles and learn why it’s Amazon’s #1 best-selling raised toilet seat.
We will look at the features of this product and reviews of customers who have purchased and used this raised toilet seat.
I will also show you where you can purchase this product from, getting the best possible price with any bonuses or discounts if applicable.
We highly recommend that you purchase from Amazon.com…as they give the best discounts, fast delivery and shipping times and quite often offer Free shipping on most products too.
If you are not looking to read our full review you can just skip it all right now and go straight through to Amazon.com and read the customer opinions about the Vaunn Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat
When in the market for a raised toilet seat there’s quite a few options available and its hard to know which one is right.
Do you go with a raised toilet seat with handles that mounts on the toilet rim or go for a free-standing with its own legs and frame?
With free-standing raised toilet seats they can be maybe more stable but also take up more room in the bathroom and could be a bit more expensive than their counterparts.
Types Of Raised Toilet Seats With Handles:
The first thing you will have to decide on is either you want a free-standing toilet seat on a frame or one that sits on the rim of the toilet.
They both have their pro’s and con’s so it will be up to you which suits your bathroom area.
Freestanding seats take up more room than ones that sit on the toilet rim but free-standing seats have a higher weight capacity.
Most common seats come in a height of 4 inches but they also sell them in a variety of sizes from 3″ up to around 8″ high.
Once you have decided on what height you need that best suits you then you need to work out whether you have a standard or elongated toilet.
Most seats will fit both but do check before buying.
The best way to see if you have a standard or elongated toilet is measured with a measuring tape from the front of the toilet rim to the holes where the seat if fitted.
The measurement for American standard toilet seat will measure 16.5 inches and an elongated seat will measure around 18 inches.
Fixed Or Removable Arms?
Once you have decided on either free-standing or rim type seat then the next decision is to have fixed or removable handles.
Having removable handles offer more flexibility when in use than having fixed handles.
Example- A good example of this is like having surgery and you are in a wheelchair.
You can install a raised toilet seat like this with removable arms and have one arm removed.
What this does is allows easy wheelchair transfer.
As you gain more mobility say from getting out of the wheelchair to maybe a walking frame then you can reinstall the handle.
Therefore making it easier for you to sit and stand back up again from off the toilet seat. Then progress back to using a standard seat if applicable.
Most manufacturers who make these raised toilet seats that feature these arms are made from aluminum and have rubberized grips over the handles for added comfort.
One of the downsides of having fixed handles over removable is the width.
As wide as the handles are on a fixed seat is as wide it’s going to be whereas a raised toilet seat with removable handles can be adjusted out or removed altogether.
Final Overview About Raised Toilet Seat With Handles
As you can see there’s a bit involved in choosing a raised toilet seat handles.
You have to take into account the room of the area where the seat will be used to having free-standing or fixed.
To see how top choice and Amazon’s #1 best selling elevated raised toilet seat we highly recommend Vaunn Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat with removable arms.
The main reason why this is Amazon’s best selling is because of its price point, practicality and with an average of 4.5 stars out of 5 from over 700 reviews it does the right job it’s designed for.
Who uses a raised toilet seat?
There are various reasons why you would use a raised toilet seat. In most cases, there used by people who have difficulty bending down that low to use a standard toilet.
Standard toilet height is around 14.5″ from the floor to the bowl rim. This is why people with stiff joints, difficulty in bending the knees, or other mobility problems have trouble.
A standard toilet seat will require more flexibility due to the fact of them being lower to the ground and that in its self could cause possible stress on certain joints.
Those suffering from medical conditions like arthritis or inflammatory conditions may also have difficulty using a standard toilet height so they are ideal for that reason too.
Raised toilet seats are designed by orthopedic experts with special needs in mind for individuals problems.
Typically an elevated toilet seat can add anywhere from 3-6 inches (7-15 cm) of height to a toilet depending on brand and model.
These raised toilet seats can often help the needs of a person with back or spine difficulties as well as it allows for less bending and stretching which means less effort is needed to get on and off the seat.
Types Of Raised Toilet Seats
Some raised toilet seats offer multiple positions in height to cater for most standard and elongated toilets.
This is also helpful to accommodate various heights of individuals using the seat. Some raised toilet seats offer extra thick padding for added comfort.
In many models, the seat will include mounting brackets for installation.
There are models that feature easy no-tool installation and these are helpful for people who have restricted capabilities or wish to have the convenience of no assembly required.
Some models feature suction cups that adhere to the floor.
Those with restricted mobility may prefer an elevated toilet seat with built-in arms.
This safety feature provides added stability and protection. Many of these seats feature a locking mechanism to fasten to the toilet bowl.
What we have found tho is Big Johns Toilet Seats are the best for long term use.
There are well made, never failed well supported and this is how good they are even just there standard heavy-duty seat has an 800-pound capacity.
Not bad and its all got to do with the materials and the design.
Big John has developed his seats over years or testing and tweaking to bring you there range now of 7 seats.
We recommend Big Johns range of toilet seats if you want a seat that is going to last the distance.
You can see our full review on the home page here…
What Are The Best Elevated Toilet Seats For The Elderly & Handicapped?
Having an elevated toilet seat for the elderly is something that may have never crossed our minds, but if you live with an elderly person who has difficulty sitting down and standing up then an elevated toilet seat could prove to be the go.
Although it may create a variation of only a few inches, it can make a world of a difference for those who have difficulty sitting and standing up from a toilet seat.
These elevated types of equipment are generally prescribed for short term use post-hospital discharge, in order to accommodate fractures, hip replacements, and knee surgeries. However, they may come off long term use to those who are suffering from chronic arthritis, knee pain, backache, hip pain, and other mobility disorders. This proves to be a permanent solution for such patients to maintain independence in the restrooms.
Features:
Elevated toilet seats for the elderly are available with a variety of features to cater to various needs of different people.
Support Arms:
These may be removable or permanent, to provide extra support while sitting down or standing up.
Slip Resistant Pads:
Such anti-slip pads provide extra safety.
Slip-in Brackets:
These come of use to those with hip and knee injuries, in case the patient needs their hip to be an extended position.
They are curved with a dip on one side to allow easy access.
Clamping Mechanism:
Some seats come with clamping mechanisms to make it easy to clamp on and remove.
Optimal Seat Height:
The higher the seat is, the less flexion is required at the hip and knee, making it easier to sit down and stand up. It is imperative to choose a seat that makes your feet lie flat on the floor, since too much height may lead to instability.
Elevated Toilet Seats sit atop the toilet bowl and come in a range of 2″- 6″ in height. Wider options are also available to accommodate patients up to 600 pounds. It is also possible to get seats with adjustable heights and widths if you’re unsure about what size to get.
Choosing the Correct Shape:
It’s necessary to make sure that the toilet seat sits right on top and is the same size as your bowl.
It generally comes in 2 standard sizes.-
Round: approximately 16.5″ long-
Elongated: approximately 18.5″ long
Types of Elevated Toilet Seats for The Elderly:
1. Non-Locking Elevated Toilet Seats: These are typically for short term use. They can be used with Toilet Frames for additional safety.
2. Locking Elevated Toilet Seats: These are typically for medium-term use. They easily lock on to the bowl with clamps and are easily removable.
3. Bolt on Elevated Toilet Seats: These can be easily bolted on the bowl and are useful for elderly patients with a chronic need for such devices.
Having a raised toilet seat can be so much more than just an aid, for most it’s giving back self-esteem and dignity to be able to use the loo on their own terms. For the elderly, they are definitely worth the investment and also not to mention great for handicapped to as they make lives easier for the aged, disabled and hip replacement patients and to provide long term convenience and independence in their rest-room trips
Conclusion:
Investing money and installing an elevated toilet seat is a good decision to protect your loved ones and ensure their safety and comfortably. It also helps them to regain more self Independence.
Make sure you check out our top choice and see what others are saying that have purchased the seat and also see there reviews and opinions too.