Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:00pm
Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:00pm
If getting on and off the toilet is hard, a raised toilet seat is usually the first thing to try. It adds 2″ to 4″ of height, so you don't have to lower yourself as far. If you also need something to push on, add armrests, either built into the seat or as a separate toilet safety frame. A commode is for when getting to the bathroom is the problem.
The bathroom is where many falls at home happen, so it's worth looking at the tub or shower at the same time. A bath seat or transfer bench, a grab bar and a non-slip mat cover most needs.
This guide helps you match the right equipment to your situation, measure your toilet, and plan for recovery after hip or knee surgery. It's written by the team at Healthgear Medical & Safety in Sault Ste. Marie.
| Your situation | What usually helps |
|---|---|
| The toilet feels too low; standing up takes effort | Raised toilet seat (2″ to 4″) |
| You've had hip or knee surgery and need to avoid bending too far | Raised toilet seat, usually 4″, often with handles |
| Height is fine, but you need something to push on | Toilet safety frame or free-standing toilet rail |
| You need both extra height and armrests | Raised seat with handles, or a 3-in-1 commode set over the toilet |
| Getting to the bathroom in time is hard, especially at night | Bedside commode |
| You're a caregiver helping someone on and off the toilet | Toilet safety frame or commode with armrests; a wall grab bar for you both to use |
If you're not sure, start with the height. Sit on the toilet: if your hips are lower than your knees, a raised seat will probably help.
These clamp onto your existing toilet bowl without tools, and come off easily for cleaning or guests.
Not sure what fits? Bring your measurements into the store, or call (705) 949-4327.
Stepping over a tub wall and standing on a wet surface are two of the riskiest things most people do at home. A few pieces of equipment make a big difference.
| If you... | Consider |
|---|---|
| Get tired standing in the shower | A shower stool ($49.99) for small showers, or a bath seat without a back ($56.99) or with a back ($72.99) |
| Find it hard to step over the tub wall | A tub transfer bench, padded or unpadded ($149.99): sit down outside the tub and slide across |
| Want to sit across the top of the tub | A bath board ($105.99) that rests on both tub walls |
| Need something to hold getting in and out | A tub safety rail ($79.99) that clamps to the tub wall, or a wall-mounted grab bar (from $26.99) |
| Want to wash sitting down | A handheld shower spray and hose ($49.99) |
| Have a slippery tub or shower floor | A non-slip bath mat ($18.99), a full-tub mat ($27.99) or adhesive bath strips ($8.99 for 12) |
About grab bars: a grab bar screwed into the wall studs can hold your weight. Suction-cup grab bars, like the suction grab bar ($26.99), are for balance only. Don't pull yourself up on them, and check they're firmly attached every time. Healthgear can install grab bars on request, or point you to someone who can.
After a hip or knee replacement, you may be told to avoid bending your hip too far, crossing your legs or twisting for several weeks. Your surgeon or therapist will tell you exactly what applies to you. It's much easier to have the bathroom set up before you go to hospital than to sort it out after.
A typical setup that occupational therapists suggest:
Talk to your surgeon, physiotherapist or occupational therapist before choosing if:
Many hospitals give you a list of equipment to have ready. Bring it in and we'll match it.
In Sault Ste. Marie: Visit us at 262 Queen St. E to see raised seats, frames, commodes and bath seats in person. Bring your toilet and tub measurements, and we'll help you choose.
Anywhere in Canada: Order online and we'll ship it. Delivery is free across the Algoma District, from Wawa to Elliot Lake. Call (705) 949-4327 or email info@healthgearmedical.com if you're not sure what fits.
Help paying for it: Some private health plans cover bathroom safety equipment, usually with a doctor's or therapist's prescription. We can bill many insurance companies directly where permitted, or give you the paperwork to submit yourself. We're a WSIB preferred vendor, and we also bill Veterans Affairs Canada, Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), ODSP and Ontario Works directly.
High enough that, when you sit, your hips are level with or slightly above your knees. For most people that means adding 2″ to 4″. After hip surgery, 4″ is the usual choice.
Most fit standard round and elongated bowls. Measure from the seat bolts to the front of the bowl: about 16½″ is round and about 18½″ is elongated. One-piece or unusually shaped toilets can be harder to fit; a free-standing toilet rail or a commode over the toilet works on almost any toilet.
Many people do, because it keeps you from bending your hip too far when you sit. Your surgeon or occupational therapist will tell you what's right for you, and many hospitals give you a list of equipment to have ready.
A raised toilet seat sits on your existing toilet. A commode is a free-standing chair with a bucket that you can keep by the bed. Many commodes can also be placed over the toilet to work as a raised seat with armrests.
They're fine for balance, but they're not designed to hold your weight. If you need to pull yourself up, use a grab bar screwed into the wall studs. Check a suction bar is firmly attached every time you use it.
If you can step over the tub wall safely and just need to sit while you wash, a bath seat is enough. If stepping over the tub wall is hard, a transfer bench lets you sit outside the tub and slide across.
Yes. We ship anywhere in Canada, and delivery is free in the Algoma District, from Wawa to Elliot Lake.
{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}