How to use continence and toileting aids

Incontinence is an inconvenient and often embarrassing issue that affects millions of people in the UK. It’s particularly common in older adults and those with disabilities or chronic health conditions. For those who experience incontinence, reaching or using the toilet in time can be challenging – especially if they also live with mobility issues.

If you care for someone with incontinence, learning how to use continence and toileting aids could help make life easier. Read on to discover what toileting aids are available and how they can be helpful for those with incontinence.

Toilet seat raisers

People living with both incontinence and limited mobility may have difficulties lowering themselves down onto standard toilet seats. This can increase the time it takes to use the toilet, potentially leading to accidents and embarrassment. 

If this is a problem for your loved one, toilet seat raisers can be enormously helpful. Also called raised toilet seats, these devices increase the height of the toilet seat by several inches. This reduces the distance between the person and the seat, making toileting quicker, safer and easier when they feel the urge to go. 

Toilet seat raisers are designed to be quick and easy to install, and are typically adjustable to fit most toilets. For additional support and stability, look for raised toilet seats with arms.

Toilet frames and support rails

Toilet frames and rails can also be helpful for those with incontinence who struggle to use the toilet independently. They provide supportive handholds to lean on when getting on and off the toilet, aiding with balance and allowing for quicker transfers. The extra support also helps to minimise the risk of falls, especially when the person is rushing due to urgency.

Toilet frames are freestanding devices that fit around the toilet, while toilet support rails are typically wall-mounted. They may be installed on one or both sides according to your loved one’s bathroom setup and support needs.

Commodes

Many people living with incontinence experience accidents due to being unable to reach the nearest toilet in time. This may be a particular problem for those with mobility issues who require more time to walk and move around.

Having a commode nearby means your loved one won’t need to hold on until they reach the bathroom. A commode is a type of chair fitted with a self-contained toilet. As commode chairs don't require plumbing, they can be used in any room, including bedrooms and living rooms. 

Commodes come in a huge variety of styles, including:

• Discreet commodes designed to look like ordinary lounge chairs or armchairs
• Wheeled commodes 
• Extra-wide bariatric commodes
• Portable folding commodes
• Waterproof shower commodes

For busy carers, commode liners can help make the task of emptying a commode quicker and easier.

Urinal bottles and bed pans

Handheld urinals and bed pans are useful incontinence aids for those who cannot walk unaided, or who need to relieve themselves frequently. They allow people to manage their bladder and bowel needs hygienically from a bed or chair. 

Urinal bottles are available in male, female and unisex forms. Most are made from plastic, with tight, spill-proof lids and wide handles. They are easiest to use when the person is standing, squatting or sitting at the very edge of the bed or chair. 

Bed pans, designed for bowel movements, come in disposable and reusable varieties; some have handles and lids for easier emptying. To use a bed pan, have your loved one raise their hips, and slide it underneath them. 

Toilet seat bidets

Keeping clean after toileting is vital for preventing odours, rashes and sores. However, maintaining personal hygiene while dealing with incontinence can be tricky and time-consuming, especially when combined with mobility issues. 

If your loved one finds wiping difficult, or experiences frequent urinary or bowel leakage, toilet seat bidets could help. They are designed to clean intimate areas quickly and gently, releasing streams of water at the touch of a button. 

Bidet toilet seats could help those with incontinence retain a sense of dignity, allowing them to manage odours and keep clean without assistance. They are easy to install, either by attaching to or replacing the existing toilet seat.

Toileting tips for carers of those with incontinence

It's important to respect your loved one’s dignity and treat their toileting needs sensitively when they’re dealing with incontinence. Here are some tips for carers:

• Speak openly with them about toileting aid options and which ones they feel most comfortable using. 
• Offer as much privacy and space as possible when assisting with toileting.
• Encourage independence by allowing them to do as much as they can manage on their own.
• Suggest regular bathroom breaks in line with your loved one’s typical toileting patterns to help them avoid accidents.
• Be patient, relaxed and calm, and don't rush them when using the toilet or toilet aids.

Visit Complete Care Shop today to browse an extensive range of continence and toileting aids. For help finding the most suitable products for your loved one, contact us and speak with our helpful team.