Toliets and Tubs

[Camille]

I use the regualar toilet to do my bowel program which can take a little bit of time. I wanted to get a padded seat. Is it okay to buy a regular or can someone suggest an inexpensive medical one (hmmm do those to words go together)?

Also I want to sit in the bathtub and turn the shower on. I can't wheel in, but we thought I could get a seat and sit in there. Any suggestions for narrow seats? Our tub's not that wide.

[MikeC]

Camille, I also use a regular toilet but have a frame around it for hand rails that you can buy at drugstores or Lowes. Sometimes I think about getting a padded seat as well especially on those times when it takes a while.

I got a chair at Wal-Mart that fits in my tub; as far as I know I've got a standard sized tub but you can measure your tub and check the dimensions of the chair before buying it. I got one with a back - it gives me something to sort of balance on when getting in and out. It's just like everything else - at first I had a hard time transferring to the chair but now it is pretty easy. Besides having grab bars on the walls I also got a grab hand hold (not really sure what to call it) that screws onto the outside of the tub. That also made it easier to maneuver around when transferring. I used to transfer from my chair but now I transfer from my walker most of the time. Mike

T12 Incomplete - Walking with Crutches, Injured in Oct 2003

[SCI-Nurse]

A regular padded toilet seat (non-medical) is not well enough padded to help prevent skin breakdown. It also does not give you access to easily do either dig stim or bowel clean up without leaning way over on the toilet, which can be unsafe for some, and impossible for others depending on their range of motion.

This is a commonly used raised toilet seat in home settings:
http://secure.srginc.biz/uploads/prod_59_1034086019.gif
http://www.sportaid.com/catalog/page62.shtml?Lumex%20Products
You do need to remove the plastic "spray skirt" to use it properly for independent bowel care. Be sure it is securely attached to the toilet seat. You must specify round or oval toilet bowl when ordering the attachment brackets. It can be used alone (with a wall mounted grab bar) or with a "Versaframe" such as pictured (which can be on only one side or both sides depending on your transfer and bathroom set up).

There are many good tub/shower chairs. It would be better to use a chair that raises you up in the tub than to try to sit on the bottom of the tub (which can cause skin problems and shoulder problems due to difficult transfers). Here is a good display of various products you may want to consider:

SpinLife (http://www.spinlife.com/critpath/match.cfm?type=15&bstype=1531&medicare=any&sort=p&pagenum=1)

Allegro Medical (http://www.allegromedical.com/bathroom_assists/bath_transfer_benches)

I have also seen some pretty good deals on lightly used tub shower chairs on ebay, so you may want to check this out too.

(KLD)

[Camille]

Which chair was it? Do you have the specifics? Yeah I was thinking about a padded chair because my butt starts to hurt if I'm on it too long.


Originally posted by MikeC:

Camille, I also use a regular toilet but have a frame around it for hand rails that you can buy at drugstores or Lowes. Sometimes I think about getting a padded seat as well especially on those times when it takes a while.

I got a chair at Wal-Mart that fits in my tub; as far as I know I've got a standard sized tub but you can measure your tub and check the dimensions of the chair before buying it. I got one with a back - it gives me something to sort of balance on when getting in and out. It's just like everything else - at first I had a hard time transferring to the chair but now it is pretty easy. Besides having grab bars on the walls I also got a grab hand hold (not really sure what to call it) that screws onto the outside of the tub. That also made it easier to maneuver around when transferring. I used to transfer from my chair but now I transfer from my walker most of the time. Mike

T12 Incomplete - Walking with Crutches, Injured in Oct 2003

[MikeC]

Camille, the chair is made by Carex - it's the only Carex one that the Wal-Mart here sells - it cost around $45. I measured the flat part of my tub before we got the chair to make sure it would fit. It's got holes in the seat part for drainage and sometimes the holes leave red marks on my butt. I don't stay in the shower long though - just do my thing and get out so they don't worry me. Mike

T12 Incomplete - Walking with Crutches, Injured in Oct 2003

[maryonwheels46]

MikeC
I am a complete para so I have to transfer from wc.
The frame that goes on the toilet, I have one I bought at Walmart attaches to the two screws that attaches the toilet seat to my toilet.
After a while the metal part that screws to the toilet rust after a little while of cleaning.
What do you do about this?

[maryonwheels46]

Camille,
I sent you a private topic.

[MikeC]

Mary - I'm not an expert but toilet seats come with different types of screws. Guess I was lucky in that my toilet seat has plastic screws; so I haven't had any problem with rusting. Maybe you can get plastic screws also. The only problem I have with that type of frame is that the screws come loose (I push pretty hard with my right hand when I stand up). I keep a screwdriver right beside the toilet and about every week I tighten them up. I'm not sure if metal screws would come loose - maybe somebode with more mechanical knowledge can give some advice. Hopefully this helps. Mike

T12 Incomplete - Walking with Crutches, Injured in Oct 2003

[woman from Europe]

MikeC

You are joking me http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

I have destroyed so many toilet seats because of the screws and not even me understood why. Now I know.

TH 12 incomplete 12-12-69.