Everything You Need to Know About Toilet Railings for Elders & Disabled People
What Types of Toilet Arms Support Are Out There?. 1
Installation Process for a Disabled Toilet Handrail 2
The Perfect Height for Toilet Railings. 2
How to Choose Toilet Arms Support 3
Special Categories of Toilet Railings. 4
How to Look After a HandRail for Toilet 5
Often related to accessible toilets and toilets for elders, toilet handrails represent an actual necessity these days in modern bathrooms, bringing in fundamental purpose and functionality. They’re meant to help people while sitting, standing or simply maneuvering around the toilet.
Toilet railings are suitable for more categories of people, but especially for people with disabilities. Individuals with visual, cognitive and motor issues can benefit from these rails, which come in more forms and designs, depending on the needs and available space.
These being said, here’s everything you need to know about choosing and installing toilet railings for elderly and individuals with disabilities.
What Types of Toilet Arms Support Are Out There?
Getting a toilet handrail for elderly requires a bit of research. There are more types of handrails out there, each of them with its own functionality, benefits and potential drawbacks. It is, therefore, important to assess the user's necessities first.
Straight Rails
Straight rails are classic and won’t cost a fortune. They’re easy to find and come in more sizes and adjustments, based on the user’s needs. Furthermore, these rails can also be installed in different ways. Some people require a vertical installation, but others could do with the horizontal approach.
Folded Rails
A folding handrail for the toilet is self-explanatory. It’s excellent in small environments, where keeping a rail at all times could make access difficult. Instead, you can fold it when not in use, so it swings out of the way. Not only does it save space, but it also allows for easier access and cleaning.
Mounted or Freestanding
How you get the handrail for the toilet installed is just as important. The wall-mounted version is more popular because the rail is stuck to a solid piece, the wall. On the other hand, freestanding units require more space and, of course, a more durable approach.
In other words, freestanding rails should be more solid.
There are a few other options to consider, but not as popular, such as L-shaped rails or angled or curved rails.
Orientation
Last, but not least, a handrail disabled toilet can be vertical or horizontal. The vertical approach is less popular, but it does have its benefits. Most importantly, it can provide extra support when you stand up from a seated position.
The horizontal rail follows a similar principle. However, it’s mainly aimed at those who prefer pushing up when they stand up. It offers support like the vertical one, but each option focuses on a different way to stand up. At the end of the day, it depends on how people feel or how confident they are in their arms.
Installation Process for a Disabled Toilet Handrail
The installation process is the same for any type of toilet handrail for elderly. However, what makes the difference is the type of rail installed, which again, depends on the user's needs.
Durovin Bathrooms has a clear vision in terms of installation, focusing on access to different types of rails and a custom installation. While there are standards to follow, there are also elements that can be customized according to the client’s needs.
In terms of installation, locating the perfect placement is the first step in the process. It must be comfortable but also at the right height. It should be easy to access with no issues whatsoever. The positions are then marked on the wall or the floor, in case of a freestanding rail.
Once everything is level, the installation becomes a matter of drilling, inserting plugs and attaching the rail using screws. A few tests to confirm the stability of the rail will be required. It’s good to go then. Please watch the video below for more detail of installation process.
The Perfect Height for Toilet Railings
While there are a few standards to consider here, the truth is every user’s needs come first. Even when it comes to recommended standards, they offer a bit of room for adjustment, giving professionals the option to customize each installation.
It’s also worth noting that the perfect height may vary based on the type of toilet railings.
- Horizontal railings are normally parallel to the floor, yet other installations can also be pursued. In this particular case, they usually go 33 to 36 inches above the floor. This standard is suitable for most people.
- Vertical toilet arm support is similar, but a few inches here and there can make a difference in comfort and usability. Normally, the top of the handrail is about 31 or 32 inches from the floor, but then again, adjustments are also allowed.
Installing a handrail for the toilet requires considering users' needs. The above-mentioned standards are just for guidelines. Apart from personal needs, the user's preferences are just as important. Some people may find it easier with extra height. Others might be short, so they need the bars at a lower height.
The best thing to do is discuss these options with a professional.
The height isn’t the only measurement to pay attention to. A handrail disabled toilet should obviously be close to the toilet. Normally, the rail is installed five to seven inches away from the toilet. The idea is to help the user with easy access.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards are also taken into consideration, even by professionals who aren’t located in the USA. But then again, this act mainly provides guidelines. All the standards mentioned in the act (in both height and placement) can be adjusted for users’ needs.
How to Choose Toilet Arms Support
There are plenty of toilet railings on the market. While most of them work on the same principles, the truth is small details can make the difference between a positive experience and a disaster. Here’s what you need to pay attention to.
Stability
Stability is critical when looking for toilet railings. In fact, that’s the primary purpose of the railing, to help someone in need, such as an elder or a disabled person. Without stability, the rail can cause even more problems.
The material is directly responsible for stability. At this point, there are more options to consider:
- Stainless steel is classic. It’s strong, but it can also resist corrosion, which is a common issue in toilets, bathrooms and other humid environments (assuming there’s also a bathtub or shower cabin in the room).
- Plastic is another good option. Such a toilet handrail for elderly is based on solid and durable plastic rather than a cheap option. While plastic is cheaper than stainless steel, it's worth noting that it's not as strong, so the user's weight should also be considered.
- Plated rails are based on different materials, but they usually feature a strong coating that adds to their strength. Chrome plated rails also look good and they’re usually stronger than plastic, yet not as popular as stainless steel.
Apart from the actual material, the mounting mechanism is just as important. Pay special attention to the fixings, which must be suitable for the wall type. Just because the handrail is strong and solid, it can still be dangerous if mounted poorly.
Ease of Use
Toilet railings are meant to make users' lives easier. From this point of view, accessibility should be a primary consideration as well. Ease of use is defined by more factors, such as height. The user's reach and height will affect ADA recommendations, so customization is often required.
The length is just as important to help with the grip, but most importantly, with the transfer. Horizontal rails are quite long and can go up to 20 or 30 inches. On the other hand, vertical rails usually go alongside the toilet.
The user's personal needs may go in more directions. Elders, in particular, have limited strength and balance. The same rule applies to disabled people and to those recovering from surgery, who often experience temporary or ongoing mobility challenges and require extra support during daily activities. Therefore, hinged rails are excellent for stability, but also to help with transfers.
It may also be a good idea for the rails to be in a contrasting color or style with the wall. This way, they’ll be easy to spot by those with visual impairments. Reflective or bright colors could also be a good idea.
Last, but not least, toilet arm support should also feature a slip-resistant surface. Textures are also suitable, as they can improve the grip. This aspect is more important if the toilet is in the bathroom, meaning there might be wet conditions that could affect the grip.
Special Categories of Toilet Railings
Most forms of toilet arm support are stable and solid, meaning they're mounted on walls or floors for extra support, depending on the type. However, there are certain categories of toilet railings that require a different approach.
The experts at Durovin Bathrooms have thought about everything. Certain categories of people may struggle with rails, especially in some circumstances.
From this point of view, it’s worth noting that if you do need to travel a lot (whether on holiday or for business purposes), you can now find portable toilet safety rails for travel. They’re usually collapsible, so they can be fitted into most types of luggage.
Such railings are designed like small frames. Once up, they go on each side of the toilet. They’re not fitted into the wall or floor and they’re not as solid, but they’ll get the job done. They do require more work though.
Another category includes toilet railings for children. It’s important to consider their height and weight before opting for something like this. Besides, since kids grow relatively fast, it might be a good idea to invest in solid, yet adjustable railings.
In terms of special categories, you may want to consider some extras as well:
- Padded handles if you often use your elbows or you find rails to be too difficult to use. The padding isn’t just comfy, but also adds to the grip.
- Texture is ideal for bars because it adds to the grip. It’s especially useful in wet conditions.
- Adjustability is a good choice if there are more disabled people or elders in the same environment, but they have different height needs. Adjustability is also a good choice if there are kids who use the disabled toilet.
How to Look After a HandRail for Toilet
A mild cleaner is usually enough, especially in the areas grabbed by the user. It’s imperative for the mild soap to be removed completely or the bar may become slippery and risky. Plus, leftovers will attract dirt.
To disinfect such bars, white vinegar will do the job. Again, it has to be thoroughly rinsed with a cloth soaked in water.
Apart from cleaning, the actual maintenance is more important. Every now and then, users should check for signs of damage. Anything could turn into a disaster, from loose screws and cracks to severe wear or even rust.
Bottom line, toilet arm support can take more forms, and apart from what's available today, the user's needs always come first. Installing a disabled toilet handrail requires thorough planning and implementation into the current bathroom design, but it should also allow a high degree of customization.
