Having a bedside commode is an excellent option for anyone restricted in mobility. It is a chair toilet with no running water and can hang by the bed or anywhere in the home. The bedside commodes consist of a chair frame with a toilet seat under which a pail fits. In the following article, we discuss the advantages of bedside commodes.
How does a bedside commode work?
For those who have difficulty using a toilet due to physical problems, a bedside commode provides an effortless, simpler, and safer way of going to the bathroom without running water.
The device is typically used by elderly or disabled individuals who cannot move due to a disability, medical condition, surgery, or injury. By reducing the distance between the user's legs and the commode, the user can sit and stand more easily, reducing the risk of straining their back.
By making commodes portable, users with mobility problems can walk less distance to use the restroom, reducing the risk of complications.
The benefits of bedside commodes
Increased safety for users
A bedside commode has large armrests that are easy to grasp so that disabled or elderly users can safely lower themselves onto the toilet seat, which is not the case with a toilet without grab bars.
As 85% of falls occur in the bathroom, largely due to slippery surfaces, a bedside toilet in a bedroom, or any other room apart from the bathroom, is in a safer location. The toilet is safer than the bathroom environment if placed on a non-slip mat in any other room.
Give lots of room
The commode can reside in a space that is free of any hazards and is equipped with everything a person with mobility issues needs, making it easier for them to use
Peeing at night
In the case of an elderly or disabled person, a bedside commode eliminates the need to walk to the bathroom, and it can be right next to the bed, which helps reduce falls.
Furthermore, you can use lights with remote sensors that illuminate when the person gets up from the bed, allowing them to see the commode easily. They will typically be turned off after 3 minutes if no more movement is detected.
Greater independence
Elderly people may wait too long for their caregivers to wake up because they don't want to call for help at night when they need to go to the bathroom.
A person who can use a bedside commode independently will gain independence if they can do so without disturbing a caring caregiver.
Increased privacy and a sense of dignity
Sitting on a bedside toilet provides enhanced security compared to using a regular toilet, allowing individuals who can go to the bathroom independently to regain some of their privacy.
They no longer have to endure the indignity of receiving assistance at such intimate times. Different models of bedside commodes have elongated or open seats, which make it easier for one to clean oneself.
As larger bariatric commodes become available, individuals who require assistance on the toilet can clean themselves without needing help from the commode.
Are a safe option after hip or knee replacement surgery
Since the patient may initially have difficulty moving, placing a bedside commode in the bedroom or another room is a great temporary toilet option, as they may struggle to reach the bathroom.
Besides being easier to sit on after hip surgery than a toilet, bedside commodes also reduce the risk of injury because they allow you to sit down without straining your operated leg.
The armrests of a bedside commode provide tremendous support for sitting and getting up.
When the surgery has healed a little after the surgery, and the patient is using the toilet for the first time, the bedside commode – if it's a 3-in-1—can be placed over the toilet with a raised commode seat to help increase the height of the bathroom, making it much easier to sit.
More comfortable to use than a bedpan
A drop-arm bedside commode is more comfortable than a bedpan for people who are bedridden and have the use of their arms. The person can slide off the bed and onto the bedside commode in private, so they can use the commode, clean themselves, and return to their bed if they can.
As a result, some people can regain their dignity and sense of helplessness and dependency on others.
Increase user confidence
A commode with armrests allows people with limited strength, balance, or mobility to go to the toilet more confidently since they are less likely to fall.
There are armrests on either side and backrests behind you, while sitting on the bedside commode gives you the feeling of being supported and surrounded (on three sides), which is absent from conventional toilets, which may make the individual feel more comfortable and confident.
It is reasonable to speculate that someone may become more confident in other activities after using a bedside commode for some time. There is no guarantee, but everything builds up little by little.
Are typically height adjustable
Commodes with adjustable height legs are common on bedside tables, allowing users to adjust their comfort level. Those with difficulty bending to sit or stand can adjust the seat's height to relieve discomfort.
Height adjustment is also necessary when using a raised toilet seat or toilet safety frame over a commode.
Come in a wide range of sizes for all users
The size, weight capacity, and width of bedside commodes vary
Some shower chair transport commodes have various seat sizes, widths, and weight capacities.
Don't require home renovation
You can also use a bedside commode much more cost-effectively than installing a new toilet with all kinds of safety grab bars in a bedroom; simply clear and add a space.
If the odors bother you, you can install an extractor fan, which is cheaper than renovating the whole room.