I have elderly parents that would benefit from an expanded height toilet. So far I have only found units that have extended bowls also. In their application, an extended bowl will protrude too close to the bathtub.
What about raising a chunk of the bathroom floor? Literally build a deck on top of the existing floor. I can’t think how to work the drain/flange issue. How could I put flange on the new floor, then some sort of extender down into the existing pipe?
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Replies
Simplest thing is to get a add-on seat that raises the height. These are readily available from mulitple sources (drug stores, home centers, etc) though the best source for quality stuff is a handicapped equipment store (and from my experience their prices aren't much higher).
The handicapped equipment store might have the sort of toilet you want too, in a catalog.
A good thing to have with the seat is hand-holds on both sides. These can be bars (inverted U) mounted to the floor if there is no handy wall. Another option is a sort of camp toilet that can be used separately (with a bowl installed) or can be fit (sans bowl) over the toilet. It provides both elevation and the hand-holds.
Re raising the floor, if the existing pipe is a 4" one, you could probably rig a simple extension with a 3" flange and short piece of 3" pipe, fudging the seal somehow between the 3" pipe and the flange below.
Don't neglect the flip side. The closer a person is to a squatting position, the easier.......well, you get the picture. If you elevate the height, consider ways of elevating the feet, too. Might make the....process....easier for an elderly body.
I got one of those elevated toilet. I will never go back. they are just so much more comfort. I now cannot see why they made them so low to begin with. I reccomend the height for everyone no matter handicap or not.
I now cannot see why they made them so low to begin with.
Sometimes you have to suffer for fashion. <G>PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Our office building has the "handicapped toilet" which are several inches higher than standard ones. I hate them. Gotta agree with Cloud Hidden. I feel like taking a foot rest with me whenevery I have to use one. Taking a crap while almost in the standing position is not my favorite exercise...
And speaking of exercise. Many frail elderly are that way because they simply don't get enough exercise. The lack of muscle strength is one of the primary contributing factors to falls and broken hips. Most older individuals can benefit significantly from the proper excercise program, and it doesn't have to be too strenuous or elaborate. Perhaps your parent could gain enough strength through proper stength conditioning that they could again use a standard toilet without problems.
I am so short that when I have to use a handicap accessible stall, my feet hardly touch the floor sitting on the throne. Talk about reverse handicap!<G>
Mark a center line on exsisting toilet, (front to back).Take two pieces of cardboard, scribe these to the toilet base, one for the left side and one for the right, benchmark off your center line. The one and only time I did this I used 3/4'' plywood, about 5 pieces, glued and screwed. Cut plyood apprx. 3/4'' bigger all the way around of your cardboard template, give it a soft round over (optional). Do Not get any screws anywhere near where the "new" 3'' or 4'' soil pipe goes. Fill and sand all edges, paint, hand piece to your plumber, and try not to smile, for it was a bearcat for my plumber to drill his hole. My case the HO needed to continue using their toilet, and we guessed, where I would not put any screws. The HO's Love It. Jim J
Thanks to all who sent in responses. Good ideas and comments all.
I moved into a a house already equipped with extended height toilets and have gotten used to them...the lower ones in my vacation home now seem odd and uncomfortable.
But I pulled one of them out for my 3 year old as she learned to be potty trained after watching her successfully navigate the ones at the vacation house...funny how our needs all change over time.
Wish the parents would exercise...probably has contributed to the total degeneration of Dad's knees. Lessons learned in life I guess.
I had not thought of the seat extenders...and I had seen them before.
again thanks all for the suggestions.
As it happens, I was just visiting my parents (late 80s) a few weeks back, checking out their home after my mom broke her hip. This is how I became familiar with this stuff.
In addition to the toilet issue, you also need to make sure they have good grab bars in the tub/shower. There are some super-sized toggle bolts that can be used to attach a grab bar to a tile wall without needing to hit a stud. Again, the handicapped equipment places would carry these (and better quality grab bars as well).