More about toiletting difficulties

You may have difficulty using the toilet for one or more reasons; for example if you cannot:

• reach the toilet quickly or safely - this is a particular problem if you have bladder or bowel urgency and leakage

• remove and replace clothing - see section clothing

• sit safely and comfortably on the toilet

• clean yourself - see section on bottom wipers

• get off the toilet.

It is generally accepted that, whenever possible, people should be enabled to use the toilet rather than rely on toilet alternatives or containment products. However, when problems do occur, there are several products designed to assist with using the toilet. They fall into two broad categories:

• products which modify the toilet for use - such as a raised toilet seat or toilet frame

• products which provide alternatives to the toilet - such as commodes, bedpans and hand held urinals

The toilet environment

Sometimes the toilet environment itself can lead to a reluctance to use the toilet; for example, the toilet may be cold, too small to easily move around in, not private or a long way away. This can be the case in public toilets or those in the workplace. If you have particular needs regarding toilet use it is reasonable to discuss these with appropriate people at work. For example, if you do clean intermittent catheterisation and need a water supply within the toilet or if you have urinary frequency.

How to get help

Click on toiletting aids for detailed information about products to help you.

Click on Product Advisor for help choosing between the different categories of product.