The Accessible Bathroom IV – The Royal Throne
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- Toilet Height
- Toilet Location in Room
- Bidets
- Bidet Control Location
- Toilet Paper Dispenser
- Sources Links
Most toilets come in to heights of either 14 or 17 inches tall and come with round or oblong bowl shapes. Being 6′-3″, I’ve always hated the 14″ tall toilets since it made me feel like sitting on the floor. At least the 17″ toilet was the same height as typical table chair. Having so few choices to meet your needs doesn’t mean you’ll have to settle for less than optimal accessibility.
An accessible toilet is actually an approach to a usable use design that addresses your abilities and preferences in its actual usage. You’ve probably been to various places that had “accessible” rest rooms. Speaking of the commode, you’ve probably have thought that most were lacking in some way by placement of the grab bars and location of the toilet relative to the immediate area. You’ve likely become quite adept in using your current water closet but would really like to make it easier. Your ability will drive the design. Some people are quadriplegic or paraplegic with some abilities such as being able to transfer via “stand and pivot” or may have a progressive condition as mine where abilities are in constant change.
My ability to stand is severely limited. The closer I am to already standing, the easier actually standing becomes. For example, standing from a tall stool is much easier than trying to stand from a desk chair. The closer I am to actually standing, the less effort it takes for me to stand. Ideally, I want it like it was when I was still ambulatory.
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For the toilet, the solution was either to raise me from the toilet or, have the toilet placed higher than typically found. Lift seats designed for the toilet are ideal for existing applications but, don’t allow for one element that I wanted – a bidet toilet seat to attach to my existing toilet. Seat lifts would not allow for the use of the add-on bidets seats since they have their own toilet seat as part of the lift. So, that left me with the decision to raise the toilet to the height I needed. For me, I needed to raise it 6 inches and that is what I did. A small platform was created out of concrete with the plumbing extended accordingly. It could have been just as easily made out of pressure treated wood – pressure treated to be more resistant to moisture and as better surface to tile. It is extremely important to note the location of the toilet water supply line relative to the base such that there is sufficient space surrounding the shut-off valve for operation. In my case, there was not room to install the wall trim piece and barely enough to operate the valve. In the end, I tiled the platform as I did the walls and floor.
Location of the toilet within the room can be an issue in the case of those who “transfer” to the toilet. Depending upon the disability and the need for assistance or not can suggest an ideal location when budget allows such a choice. Some may require a left side (or right) transfer ability and may need space for an assistant to help with transfers. In my case, the toilet location provided the free area need for side and front transfers.
Of course, there were other options such as purchasing an all-in-one toilet/bidet and then, purchase a toilet seat lift but the cost of this approach started around $2000 for what I needed versus $1000 for the add-on seat and the cost of creating the platform. If a higher toilet is needed but, not as high (only 3.5 inches), you could use a toilet platform kit.
This may sound of the obvious for the bidet option but, location of the controls is an important design consideration. Most after market bidet seats such as the one I purchased have a wall mounted control unit. Depending upon toilet location within the room, this can be something of a challenge to locate based upon disability. The toilet paper dispenser location was a problem because of this. The only practical solution was to purchase a free-standing toilet paper dispenser. These are manufactured by several companies, inexpensive and can be purchased locally and online in various finishes and styles.
Some may suggest an inexpensive elevated seat that can be purchased for under $20. These are simple elevated-seats made of plastic that fit atop a toilet. I found them OK for temporary situations such as away from home but, very undesirable for the long term. This is because you are raised further above the water in the bowl. Any deposits into the bowl come from a greater distance and subsequently make a splash. The seat and bowl need constant cleaning from the splashing after every use. Also, since the seat is loosely fitted atop the bowl, there is some movement which may pose a problem for some especially if transfer requiring a board in needed.
Sources Links opens in a new window
Pre-Made Toilet Platform Kit Raises Toilet 3.5 Inches
http://www.awalifts.com/bathroom_accessories.html
Toilet Seat Lifts, Power Lift Seats for the Toilet
http://www.clarkmedical.com/products/Power-Commode-Chairs/
http://www.phillipsliftsystems.com/
Aftermarket Bidet Seats
http://www.biobidet.com/
http://www.totousa.com/ (look under washlets)
Stay tuned for my next installment - “The Royal Throne Grab Bars”