Best Raised Toilet Seats For Elderly Seniors: A Detailed Guide With Prices

My mom, who is 92 years old, has been using some form of raised toilet seat now for almost 4 years, and I wouldn’t think of having her use a raised toilet seat, which was not either bolted to the toilet, such as a toilet seat riser, or on an independent frame with legs, such as a 3-in-1 commode.

And as such, I would not recommend anything less for any other elderly senior.

Lastly, I would not have an elderly adult using any seat without armrests.

The best raised toilet seats for elderly seniors, which can meet the largest range of needs, are –

Raised toilet seats with safety frames

3-in-1 commodes as raised toilet seats

Raised toilet seats with legs

Risers

Plinths

As well as the amount you want to spend on a raised toilet seat, you will want to consider the practical aspects such as strength, width, height, seat size, seat type, weight capacity, of the seats.

You will also want to consider whether the seat is going to help your elderly loved ones take back some of their independence, build up their confidence, regain a little privacy, and with all that, take back a little of their dignity.

Let’s take a look at the best raised toilet seats for elderly seniors –

Safety frames with raised seats

1) OasisSpace Stand Alone Raised Toilet Seat – with hard seat – Model No TR-2109KD

OasisSpace makes a couple of the best raised toilet seats in safety frames that you can find, and this is one of them.

It is light, sturdy, has a great height range, and is not too wide to make it difficult to fit in most bathrooms.

It has all the usual features that you would hope for in a good design

It may be primarily for taller individuals, but it is worth checking out if you are over 5 ft 8 inches.

What is the Price ?

The OasisSpace Stand Alone Raised Toilet Seat Model No. TR-2109KD costs approximately $120 in most of the major retailers and online.

Why is this a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

The determining factor with this raised toilet seat is most likely going to be its maximum height – 27.5 inches. It is the tallest of all the raised toilet seats that you can place over a toilet.

It is taller than most other raised toilet seats, by around 4.5 to 6 inches.

On a 17-inch tall toilet seat, this means the seat of the safety frame can be raised above the toilet by around 10 inches.

Do note, that this may not be a great seat for a shorter elderly senior (under 5ft 8 inches), as you do want your feet to be flat on the ground when sitting, and not dangling in the air, as it may cause accidents when you try to stand.

A second point of warning, and this applies to taller individuals who are also heavier as well, the opening, or aperture, of the toilet seat is too small for some men, so larger men should probably not get this model.

Other factors to consider which make this raised toilet seat a very attractive option to elderly seniors –

This raised toilet seat is also very lightweight

The seat only weighs 8.4 lb, which will make it easy enough for all but the more fragile elderly seniors to both install the seat, and to remove it if they need to.

This raised toilet seat is very easy to install

This is a raised toilet seat in a safety frame, which means that you assemble the seat and frame, which takes about 10 minutes with no tools required

You place it over the toilet, once you have put your toilet seat and lid in the upright position, and drop the splash guard into position in your toilet bowl.

The seat stands independently of the toilet, on four legs, and does not attach to the toilet in any way.

To remove it, you just lift it out of the way, which at 8.4 lb is sufficiently easy for most elderly adults.

This raised toilet seat has a splash guard

The model comes with a splash guard, which you just drop into place under the seat and down into the toilet bowl, which will keep any messes from going onto the toilet rim and surrounding areas.

The splash guard is easily removed for cleaning.

This raised toilet seat is very sturdy

The seat has a weight capacity of 300 lb, which should be sufficient for most elderly seniors. It is made from non-corrosive aluminum, and is tested up to 300 lb.

This raised toilet seat has armrests

The seat has large armrests, making it much easier for the user to sit back safely, to distribute their weight and to balance more easily when sitting and standing.

For elderly seniors, confidence can be a big part of sitting safely, and for individuals like my mom, there may not just be issues of mobility and balance, there may also be a visual handicap, to some degree.

So, armrests not only make it safer to sit, because they are there to hold on to, but also because the user is less nervous, and thus less inclined to make a mistake because of anxiety caused by a lack of confidence.

2) OasisSpace Stand Alone Raised Toilet Seat – with Padded seat – Model No. G113

This second model from OasisSpace is quite different from the first, and is more adapted to the average-sized person.

It has a nice padded seat and big armrests, which should make it rather attractive to an elderly senior who wants to feel a little more comfortable than they would on cold hard plastic.

What is the Price ?

OsaisSpace sells this model at around $120.

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

This another very nice solid, and safe, raised toilet seat by OasisSpace, which is more of a standard height model than the previous one above, although wider than most.

With this model, the determining factors for an elderly adult are that it is strong, lightweight and comfy, with a padded seat which is designed to be quite generous (3 inches wider than the previous model between the armrests), with an open front, which is preferred by a lot of users, and is easier to sit on for some men.

Here are some more points to consider which could be of interest to an elderly senior thinking of using this raised toilet seat.

This raised toilet seat is “raised toilet seat and safety frame”

The OasisSpace Stand Alone Raised Toilet Seat is so-called because it stands independently of the toilet, attached to 4 legs, and is placed over your toilet once the seat and lid of the toilet have been placed in the upright position.

Like 3-in -1 commodes, it is far more solid than most raised toilet seats, which are clamped to the toilet bowl. Side and front locking raised toilet seats do not fit to all models of toilet, and many have a tendency to wobble

Only risers which are much smaller, and are bolted under your existing seat to the toilet offer a comparable security and solidity

This raised toilet seat has armrests

The OasisSpace has nice large armrests with protective padding, making the seat easy to hold onto when sitting, and avoiding nasty falls when using the toilet.

As this seat is a wider model, the armrests will be wider apart, and as such, easier to see in the user’s peripheral vision, and also easier to reach back to for those with less flexible shoulders. Both factors making it easier and safer to use the seat.

This raised toilet seat has a lightweight frame

As well as being structurally very sound, the OasisSpace with padded seats is also very lightweight, at 8.75 lb, most elderly senior should be able to move it, if they have too.

This is not like some seats for larger individuals, which can weigh up to 25- 30 lb, and which would be very hard for most elderly seniors to maneuver on their own.

This raised toilet seat has a 300 lb weight capacity

Despite weighing only 8.75 lb, the seat can hold an individual weighing up to 300 lb.

This raised toilet seat is wider than most

This is a great fit for elderly seniors who want a nice wide seat, but don’t need a weight capacity over 300 lb, so if you have large hips and thighs could be a very good choice for you.

The width between the armrests is comparable with the width on extra wide bariatric commodes, but with a far lower weight capacity.

At 25.5 inches, it is a good 7 inches wider between the armrests than a standard 3-in-1 commode and risers, which measure approximately 18 inches between the armrests.

This raised toilet seat has a larger seat

With this extra width comes a larger seat, which measures 21.6 inches wide by 15.7 inches deep, which is about 3 1/2 to 4 inches wider than seats on standard raised toilet seats, risers and 3-in-1 commodes.

The seat is also rectangular, which gives you even more surface to sit on.

A larger seat is not only going to be more comfortable, but it is also going to help with safety, as it is harder to miss when you sit down.

This raised toilet seat has a padded seat

As well as being larger than a standard sized seat, the seat is padded, making it more comfortable and less slippery than the hard plastic seats.

On a padded seat you can’t slip as easily as on as hard plastic seat, so this can give the user more confidence about their situation.

This raised toilet seat has an open front seat

An open front seat allows the user to take care of their personal care more easily, and it may give them more independence if it leads to them being able to do things on their own.

This is usually seen as a definite plus by most seniors.

The open front seat is also often easier for larger men to use, as there is more room, especially if the seat is not elongated.

This raised toilet seat installs in seconds

Unlike a lot of the bolting and clamping seats, this is a whiz to install.

You –

• adjust the leg height to your toilet
• set your toilet lid and seat in the upright position
• place the OasisSpace seat over the toilet

That’s it !

If you buy it from a seller who sells it unassembled, it is put together in about 10 minutes, with no need for any tools.

To remove it –

• you just lift it out of the way.

This raised toilet seat has adjustable height legs

The legs on this seat are adjustable, and although not a “tall” model, the range of  18 – 23.3 inches should mean that this seat will fit over most toilets.

This raised toilet seat has a corrosion resistant frame

The frame is corrosion resistant and the seat is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about the structure weakening from water over time.

3) Platinum Health’s Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat – (safety frame with raised seat) Model No. PRT4747B

Platinumhealth is one of the companies on the market producing the really high quality raised toilet seats, bedside commodes, transfer seats and more.

Of the safety frames with a raised seat, this is my favorite. It is the strongest, it is not too big, and it is very well-designed and put together.

It is very comfortable, and can be used for other functions, as well as a raised toilet seat, which I have listed below.

What is the Price ?

The average price for this seat is $160, but don’t forget that it is probably the best brand of toilet seat products, and this seat is no exception.

The seat also has multiple functions, which you can read about below.

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

This is another very appealing and comfortable raised toilet seat with safety frame.

It is very strong, well-made, comfortable and easily seen.

You can also use it –

• as a safety frame with a raised toilet seat
• a shower chair (you will need to decide if a shower chair without a backrest is safe in your particular scenario)
• a bedside commode (there is no backrest, but you can just put it up against the wall if that is an issue) – comes with the commode pail

From a practical point of view that should make it attractive to any senior who needs each of those items, as well as the fact that this frame takes an extra 50 lb in weight more than either of the two previous seats.

This raised toilet seat is a “safety frame with a raised seat”

This is another example of a raised toilet seat in a safety frame, so it is not attached in any way to the toilet, doesn’t wobble around, and can’t come off the toilet like so many of the other types of raised toilet seat.

One point I haven’t made about the safety frames in general, is that you cannot make the error of getting the wrong type of raised toilet seat and safety frame for your toilet shape – you just have to make sure that the seat adjusts to the height that you want, which in almost every case it will.

With risers, front or side locking raised toilet seats, all of which sit on, and fit to, the toilet bowl, you have to get the correct standard or elongated model, for your shape of toilet.

There are universal models of raised toilet seat, but because they are made to attach to all toilets, and all toilets are not the same, you can get all kinds of problems with the seats moving, and being unsteady.

I bought one for my mom, and sitting on it was like being at sea in a storm, and that just isn’t appropriate for an elderly senior.

This raised toilet seat has large padded non-slip armrests

The Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat has large armrests which are padded with a protective non-slip covering, which is going to help with safety.

The armrests are also bright blue, specifically chosen as it is a “high view” color, which is to help users see them easily if they have any cognitive or visual issues – don’t forget that you are reaching back for the armrests, so anything which makes it easier to see them is going to make sitting and standing safer.

This raised toilet seat makes a great shower chair

The Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat is also a shower chair, as it has been built to have a non-corrosive frame, and waterproof seating.

But, this may not be an appropriate seat for elderly adults if they need to have a backrest.

It can of course be placed against a shower wall, but that will depend on the shower.

This raised toilet seat is easier to see than neutral colored seats

The color of the seat and armrests is a “high view” blue to help users to identify them, as they will stand out against the more usual neutral colors of the bathroom.

This raised toilet seat is also a bedside commode

The Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat is also designed to be used as a bedside commode, and comes equipped with a pail for this purpose.

If you don’t like the fact that there is no backrest, you can just stand it against the wall.

This raised toilet seat has a 350 lb weight capacity

The Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat is designed to support an individual who weighs up to 350 lb, so it is more solid than the two previous models by OasisSpace, if you need that.

This raised toilet seat is 2 inches wider than a standard frame

Between the armrests, the Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat has 20-21 inches depending on where point you measure, but that is at least 2 inches wider than a standard seat – the armrests slope inwards slightly, and are narrower by 1 inch at the top.

So you have a couple of extra inches for larger hips and thighs if you need that.

This raised toilet seat has a padded seat

The seat is padded and made from a polyurethane foam which is not slippery like hard plastic seats, so there is less likelihood of a person slipping off a seat like this.

I know it sounds a little neurotic, but you have to take every bit of extra security that you can get for elderly seniors when they are in the bathroom, as 87% of all falls occur here.

The safer it is, the better your elderly loved ones will feel, and they more confident they will be.

This raised toilet seat has an open front

The seat is a model which is open at the front, and this will facilitate personal care, and may serve to make the user a little more independent, if they can take care of their personal care without help, boost their confidence again, give them more privacy, and help them preserve a little more of their dignity.

The size of the opening on the seat is 2 inches deep by 4 inches wide in the front, and by 6 inches wide at the back.

The other benefit of the open front seat is that, often, men find some seats without an open front too small to use, unless it is specifically an elongated model.

This raised toilet seat has a medium weight frame

The frame is not a lightweight, but at 13.75 lb it is not that heavy either.

The seat is easily slid into position.

This raised toilet seat installs in seconds

The Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat is very simple to install.

You can assemble in the seat in a couple of minutes without using any tools.

As with the other frames, you set the seat height, put your toilet seat and lid in the upright position and then slide the Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat over your toilet bowl.

To remove it you just slide it out of position.

There is no messing around with clamps, bolts or any other paraphernalia !!

The seat is 27 inches wide, at its widest, so it should fit into most bathrooms.

This raised toilet seat has adjustable height legs

The legs of the seat allow you to set the seat at the exact height that you want from the floor, within the range of 20 – 24 inches, in 1 inch increments, which should suit most users.

This raised toilet seat will not show stains

The blue color will prevent stains and discoloration which is easily seen on white, beige, cream and light gray raised toilet seats.

3-in-1 bedside commodes

If you want to use 3-in-1 bedside commodes as a raised toilet seat, I have two articles which you may want to look at.

The first is a guide to using 3-in-1 commodes over the toilet – “Can A Bedside Commode Be Used Over A Toilet ?”

The second is a guide to bedside commode weight capacities – “Bedside Commode Weight Capacity: A Guide With Over 140 Examples and Illustrations”

4) Medline 3-in-1 Steel Folding Bedside Commode – Model No. G1-200LX1

Medline is another of the big companies producing a lot of 3-in-1 bedside commodes, and other bathroom and healthcare equipment. The company does not produce the real luxury items, but they are strong and dependable.

The Medline 3-in-1 Steel Folding Bedside Commode G1200LX1 is a basic, no  frills, 3-in-1 bedside commode, which works really well as a raised toilet seat for an elderly senior.

If you don’t require padding, and you don’t weigh over 350 lb, this is a great choice, and it is totally affordable for pretty much any budget.

These seats also have a seat lid, which acts as a back rest – something which none of the safety frames with raised toilets seats have, so do bear that in mind.

My mom, who is 92 years old, has had her 3-in-1 for over 4 years now, and it is still going strong, still used as a raised toilet seat over her toilet, and she loves it.

Asked if she wants a padded one, Mom resists, saying that she finds her 3-in-1 commode “very comfortable” for her.

What is the Price ?

The average price is $40.

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

The determining factor in choosing this 3-in-1 commode as a raised toilet seat is the price, which is far lower than any other seats I have selected.

However, the fact that it’s cheap, that doesn’t mean it is not a good raised toilet seat, it is simply a no frills 3-in-1 bedside commode, which performs admirably as a raised toilet seat over your existing toilet, for a budget price.

And, like all 3-in-1 commodes, it has multiple functions, making it an even more interesting seat.

This raised toilet seat has a safety frame

The Medline 3-in-1 bedside commode works over the toilet in exactly the same way as a safety frame with a raised seat, and stands independently on its 4 legs over the toilet.

In the same way as the safety frames with raised seats, 3-in-1 commode is far more solid than all the seats which don’t have legs and which really on some type of locking system to the rim of the bowl.

The seat will not wobble and tip forwards or backwards, like many of the seats without legs.

This raised toilet seat will work with any toilet

Unlike the raised toilet seats which sit on, and fix to the toilet bowl, a 3-in-1 commode when used as a raised toilet seat, has no issues with whether the toilet shape is standard or elongated, it is placed over the toilet and so as long as the legs go high enough for the seat to clear the bowl, it will fit. And as most toilets are around 17″, with a few at 19″, any standard 18″ – 23″ 3-in-1 commode will be able to add a few inches to the height of a toilet seat.

This raised toilet seat has other functions

The Medline also works as –

• a safety frame for toilets
• a safety frame with raised toilet seat
• a bedside commode, wherever you decide to install it

This raised toilet seat has a steel frame

The commode has a steel frame which makes it a lot stronger than aluminum frames of a similar size, and somewhat heavier, but it can hold up to 350 lb.

This raised toilet seat has a splash guard

The Medline 3-in-1 comes with a splash guard, specifically for when you use it as a raised toilet seat.

Once you have it over the toilet, you lift both the seat and lid of the commode, and slot the splash guard into the pail holder on the commode.

The splash guard will close off the open space between the raised toilet seat and the toilet bowl rim, catching any mess or spills.

You can remove it very easily for cleaning, by pulling it out.

This raised toilet seat has a backrest

This bedside commode has a seat lid, which acts as a back rest when it is being used – something which none of the safety frames with raised toilets seats have, so do bear that in mind.

This raised toilet seat has adjustable height legs

The frame has height adjustable legs which you can change in 1 inch increments, so you will be able to get the height you need.

The seat height ranges from 16 to 22 inches, so it should go over all toilets.

This is, of course, a feature that you don’t get with fixed height raised toilet seats.

With all fixed height seats, if you get the height wrong, you need to buy another, whereas with the 3-in-1 commode, you can extend, or retract the legs (within their range), to adjust the height of the seat to your heart’s desire.

This raised toilet seat installs in seconds

You can install the Medline 3-in-1 commode as a raised toilet seat in a flash.

It works the same as all raised toilet seats which have legs, with the proviso that you need to remove the commode pail before you start.

So –

• adjust the legs to get the seat to the height you require
• put your toilet lid and seat in the upright position
• lift the seat on the commode, and drop the splash guard into place
• put the commode seat back in position

To remove the 3-in-1 commode from the toilet, just lift the seat, remove the splash guard, and you can slide, or lift, the commode away from the toilet.

All of this takes about 30 seconds, and is far quicker than any of the types of seating which have bolts, brackets or clamps which all need loosening and removing.

5) Nova Drop-Arm Padded Commode, Model No. 8901W

Nova Medical Products produces a range of high-quality bathroom safety products, and the Nova Drop-arm Padded Commode is one of them. This is a very well-designed and comfortable, standard sized 3-in-1 commode, which any elderly adult should be very happy to have as a raised toilet seat. 

What is the Price ?

The average price is $200.

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

The determining factors for an elderly person choosing this 3-in-1 commode as a raised toilet seat are going to be –

• the drop arms
• the build quality
• the extra comfy design
• the versatility of the commode

The drop arms are of course the stand-out feature, and part of why this commode costs more, and they are what will be of concern to wheelchair users and anyone else who has to make a lateral, or side, transfer to the raised toilet seat.

One important point to make here, as I do not want anyone to buy this 3-in-1 commode, and get the wrong impression – the backrest is not used when the seat is being used as a raised toilet seat, so it has to be removed before it goes on the toilet.

Here are a few things you may want to consider –

This raised toilet seat has drop-arms

As mentioned previously, this is a 3-in-1 drop-arm commode, which means that the armrests are not in a fixed position, and may be moved away – up or down – to allow access from the side.

This is primarily for lateral, or side, transfers, which a term used to describe the maneuver from a wheelchair, or a bed, to another form of seat.

The drop-arms have a push button release to make it easier for the user.

So this seat is of particular interest to wheelchair users, but it is also a very handy feature for a carer who is looking after an elderly senior who needs help with cleaning themselves, as they can help them from the side more easily in certain situations.

This raised toilet seat has padded armrests

The armrests, or drop-arms in this case, are padded and non-slip, which helps to avoid any accidents when sitting down or standing up.

This raised toilet seat is also a bedside commode

The Nova Drop-Arm 3-in-1 Commode is, as its name would clearly indicate, a 3-in-1 commode, and it can be used as a bedside commode in any room of your choosing. It comes with a pail for that purpose.

The drop-arms also make it possible for a person who is in bed and cannot stand to do a lateral, or side, transfer from the bed, to the commode.

Because it is a seat on a frame with four legs, it also will not wobble, tilt, or tip, which is the case with many of the seats which sit on, and attach to the toilet itself. It is far more solid than any frame which uses plastic clamps and brackets, and can never fall off, which offers a far greater degree of security for an elderly user.

This raised toilet seat is also a toilet safety frame

The commode can also be used as a safety frame for a toilet.

This raised toilet seat has a splash guard

As this raised toilet seat is also a bedside commode, it comes with a splash guard for use over the toilet.

Once you have the commode in position, as a raised toilet seat over the toilet, you lift the commode seat and place the splash guard into the holder beneath.

The splash guard creates a barrier for any mess between the seat and the rim of the toilet bowl. It is very easy to remove and cleans very easily with any non-abrasive toilet cleaner.

This raised toilet seat is a standard size with a 300 lb weight capacity

The overall width of the commode is 22.5 inches and the overall depth is 22.5 inches, which means that it can fit into a smaller toilet area.

This is not a model for larger individuals with larger hips or thighs, but even so it does have a weight capacity of 300 lb.

This raised toilet seat has adjustable height legs

The commode has 4 adjustable height legs, which you can customize to set any height for your seat within the range of 20 to 24 inches.

This raised toilet seat should fit over any toilet up to about 19 inches, and again you do not have to worry about the shape of the toilet, whether it is standard or elongated the frame will fit over it.

You also don’t have to worry about buying the wrong size of raised toilet seat, as you have a range of 20 to 24 inches above the floor for your seat.

This raised toilet seat has a padded seat

The Nova has a comfy padded seat, which is 16.5 inches by 16.5 inches square, giving more support than an oval seat.

The seat will be more comfortable to sit on for the elderly adult, than a hard non-padded plastic seat, which in turn means they will be able to sit on it for longer in comfort, than if it were a hard plastic seat.

The padded seats also don’t feel cold, like the hard plastic seats, which will also be appreciated by an elderly person, as they often feel the cold more than younger adults.

The padding is non-slip, which also help to avoid accidents getting on and off the frame.

This raised toilet seat has an open front

The seat is another open front model which is designed to facilitate personal cleaning, by creating easy access.

Another point to be made here is that when you enable an elderly individual to handle their own personal care, you are helping to boost their confidence, you increase the privacy they are allowed, and thus the whole process allows them a little more dignity.

It helps to push back a little against the gentle erosion of their independence, and to an elderly senior this is usually very important.

This raised toilet seat installs in seconds

Like all the seats which are on a frame, or legs, this seat installs in a few seconds.

The only difference with this seat, and I made the point earlier, is that the backrest, if it is in place, should be removed, as it is not intended to be used over a toilet.

The backrest is not joined to the armrests as they are drop arms, and instead fits into the seat base, which means it sticks out of the back, and this is why it needs to be removed, as it would take up a little too much room pushing the seat forward and beyond the edge of the bowl.

There is also a splash guard, which you can fit in under the seat of the commode once it is over the toilet, and this will contain any messes which may occur.

This raised toilet seat has an aluminum frame

The frame is a gray-painted aluminum frame, which will not have corrosion issues.

6) Platinum Health’s GentleBoost Uplift 3-in-1 Commode and Shower Chair, Model No. PHS2000

Like all equipment built by PlatinumHealth, this is a tremendous piece of equipment, in all aspects of its build.

It is a great design which incorporates a spring-loaded “lift assist” mechanism, which should be very appealing to all elderly seniors who have any mobility issues.

It is a 3-in-1 commode, so it has multiple functions as –

• a raised toilet seat
• a shower chair
• a bedside commode
• a toilet safety frame

What is the Price ?

The average price is $300, but don’t be put off, as this is a seriously high-quality product, with multiple uses.

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

Like all equipment built by PlatinumHealth, this is a tremendous piece of equipment, in all aspects of its build.

It is a great design which incorporates a spring-loaded “lift assist” mechanism, which should be very appealing to all elderly seniors who have any mobility issues.

Due to the lift  mechanism, and the open front seat, the user is able to sit/stand, and clean themselves far more easily, which can make the user feel a lot more independent, and in some cases, it may actually mean that less assistance is necessary.

This, in turn, can also lead to the user having more privacy and dignity, which are things we all value, and something that elderly seniors may feel is eroding away with every day which passes.

The GentleBoost is a 3-in-1 commode, so it has multiple functions, and can be used as a raised toilet seat over your existing toilet, as a bedside commode, or as a shower seat.

Although it has a considerable price tag, I think you get a good bang for your buck !!

Here are some other determining factors to consider –

This raised toilet seat has a 285 lb weight capacity

The GentleBoost can be used over the toilet at seat levels of 21 – 25 inches, which gives it quite a large range, and makes it one of the tallest of the models – the seat adjusts in 1 inch increments.

This raised toilet seat is a 3-in-1 commode

The GentleBoost can be used as a raised toilet seat, a shower chair and as a bedside commode.

This raised toilet seat has a splash guard

The GentleBoost also comes with a splash guard, which is a device which you place under the seat of the commode when using it over a toilet.

The splash guard slots into the holder for the bucket, which is removed when the seat is being used over a toilet, and it closes off the space between the raised toilet seat and the rim of the toilet seat, so that no mess can escape when the toilet is being used.

It slides in and out for easy cleaning.

This raised toilet seat, and frame, is totally waterproof

The GentleBoost frame is made from rustproof medical grade aluminum, and the seat and back rest are made from padded polyurethane, all of which is totally waterproof.

This raised toilet seat makes a great shower chair

As I just said, it is totally waterproof, and so it is designed to also be a shower seat.

The fact that it is quite wide (20.5 inches between the armrests), has a padded seat, backrest, and armrests, means that it is comfy and very secure to sit on.

The fact there is a backrest gives the user more security.

The “lift assist” works in and out of the shower, so a user with serious mobility issues, or any user for that matter, is less likely to slip when standing up, or sitting down, in the shower.

This raised toilet seat is also a bedside commode

The GentleBoost can also be placed at any location to be used as a bedside commode, and comes with the appropriate commode bucket for that purpose.

This raised toilet seat is easier to see than neutral colored seats

The unit is a brilliant blue color, which has been specifically chose as it is a “high-view” color, which helps any user to see clearly where it is – it doesn’t blend in like a lot of white, gray or beige seats may do. It was chosen with visually, or cognitively, impaired users in mind.

This raised toilet seat is wider than most

Between the armrests, there is a distance of 20.5 inches which gives room for wider hips and thighs – this is not meant for users over 285 lb, so for models for much larger individuals you need to look further down the list at the bariatric 3-in-1 commodes which are specifically designed for users

This raised toilet seat has a padded seat

The seat of the GentleBoost, as well as being wider than seats standard sized frames and 3-in-1 commodes, is padded and doesn’t have the cold feel of a hard plastic seat, making the time spent on it a lot more comfortable than otherwise.

The padded surface is also less slippery than hard plastic seats, which will make the user feel more secure, and so build their confidence, which we should always be looking to do when we are caring for elderly seniors.

This raised toilet seat has an open front design

The front of the seat is open, which will help to facilitate personal care for the user, which can increase their sense of independence and help them keep a sense of privacy. All of which is appealing to seniors who may really be feeling the loss of independence as having a negative impact on their lives.

This raised toilet seat has a larger seat

The seat is 18″ wide and 16″ deep, so this is about 4 inches wider than a seat on a standard 3-in-1 commode or raised toilet seat in a safety frame.

The seat is also not oval, but rectangular, which also gives a larger surface area than a standard oval seat.

This raised toilet seat has adjustable height legs

This bedside commode seat can be adjusted up to 25 inches high, which is higher than the other bedside commodes that I have listed.

This raised toilet seat installs in seconds

The seat is simply placed  over your existing toilet bowl.

To install –

• remove the commode pale from under the GentleBoost seat
• put your toilet seat and lid in their upright position
• adjust the legs of the GentleBoost seat to the required height
• place the GentleBoost over your toilet
• lift the seat of the GentleBoost and insert the splash guard

It takes a bout a minute to set up, and about 10 seconds to remove if you have guests.

The seat itself does weigh 30 lb, so I imagine that elderly seniors may want some help moving it around, but once in place it can just stay there.

It requires far less work to install, or to take off than risers, or any of the seats that you bolt on to the toilet bowl, as it is never attached.

7) Heavy Duty Drop-Arm Commode 8583 by Nova –

This is another drop-arm commode from Nova Medical Products, and it is very popular with individuals who need a raised seat which can take up to 500lb in weight, which can also be used as a bedside commode or a toilet safety rail.

The seat, as you can imagine, is very strong and spans the entire width of the commode, which makes it more comfortable to use.

This is quite a large item, so if you get this for an elderly loved one to use over the toilet, it does weigh 22 lb, but most seats of this size do.

It is important here to note that when you get to the 500 lb weight capacity, there is actually only one raised toilet seat, which is not a 3-in-1 commode – a seat by Maddak which also has legs.

What is the Price ?

The average price is $265 plus whatever the shipping cost is.

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

This seat is a very good choice for those elderly adults who need a raised toilet seat, which can support a great deal of weight, and, or, drop-arms for lateral transfer.

The seat has a backrest, and will fit over all toilets – the lowest seat height is 19 inches.

The seat itself is substantial, which also makes the seat more comfortable.

Here are other points to consider, which make it such a good seat for elderly seniors.

This raised toilet seat has a safety frame

The 3-in-1 commode works in the same way as the safety frames with raised toilet seats, the seat is supported by 4 legs and sits over the toilet.

As a result, when used as a raised toilet seat this commode performs superbly, without any wobbliness, tilting or tipping, which is characteristic of most seats which sit a top of the toilet bowl, and do not have legs or a frame.

The frame itself is made from welded steel for added strength, so you know that an elderly senior can have confidence in the support provided by the seat.

This raised toilet seat has drop-arms

The commode has drop-arms which are released by two small levers for convenience, and which facilitate lateral, or side, transfers, for wheelchair users, or from a bed.

This raised toilet seat has multiple uses

The seat is actually a 3-in1 commode, so it can be used as a bedside commode and as a toilet safety frame, in addition to being used as a raised toilet seat.,

This raised toilet seat has a 500 lb weight capacity

The commode can support individuals up to 500 lb.

This raised toilet seat comes fully assembled

This item arrives fully assembled, and all you have to do is to drop the backrest into place – it just slots in. You don’t need any tools.

This raised toilet seat is an extra wide model

The space between the armrests is 24.5 inches, so there is lots of room for larger thighs and hips.

Do remember though that the overall width is 29 inches, and you need to check that you have the space around your toilet to fit such a wide model.

This raised toilet seat also has an extra wide seat

As well as the space between the armrests being extra wide, the seat is too.

The seat is 23 inches wide and 18 inches deep – the width of the seat is both for comfort, but also the user to have a large enough surface area, to gain leverage as they do a lateral transfer from a bed, or wheelchair.

This raised toilet seat has a large aperture or opening

The Nova 8583 has a larger opening or aperture in the seat to facilitate personal care, which I think is something very important for elderly seniors.

If an elderly adult can take care of cleaning themselves, then they can gain some independence, confidence, privacy and dignity, all of which get eroded as we lose the strength and capacity to do tasks which were once so simple.

This raised toilet seat has adjustable height legs

As this raised toilet seat is a bedside commode it has height adjustable legs, which can be extended, or retracted in increments of 1 inch to get the exact height for the set that you wish to have.

This raised toilet seat will work with any toilet

One of the issues with raised toilet seats which don’t have legs, is that not all models fit all toilets, as toilet bowls are not all the same size.

Toilet seats with frames and legs don’t have this issue. You just have to check that your toilet is lower than the height settings on the commode legs by about an inch – you want to make sure that the seat underside has clearance.

If you buy a raised toilet seat which attaches to the toilet seat, and you get the wrong size, you have to buy another one. With the 3-in-1 commode you just adjust the height of the legs, nothing else has to be bought !

This raised toilet seat installs in seconds

It takes very little time indeed to install this commode as a raised toilet seat. As with all seats with frames, the toilet lid and seat are put in the upright position, and once the legs of the commode are adjusted to the right height for the seat level, the commode is placed over the toilet and magically transforms into a superb new raised toilet seat !

This take a minute or so to do, and can be removed in a matter of seconds.

If you have guests, you can slide it out of the way, and then slide it back afterwards.

8) Drive Deluxe Bariatric Drop-Arm Commode, Model No. 11135-1

If the 500 lb weight limit of the Nova 8583 was not enough, then this Drive Medical bariatric drop-arm 3-in-1 commode can take all the way up to 1000 lb.

Just like the last model, it has drop-arms, which will allow for lateral transfers as well.

The reason to buy this commode, instead of the Nova 8583, would be for the increased weight capacity, as otherwise they are very similar.

What is the Price ?

 The average price is $145

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

Clearly, this seat is one of the few which will support up to 1000 lb, and can be placed over a toilet as a raised toilet seat.

There are very few options at this weight capacity, but this does not mean it isn’t a great product and very well suited to an elderly senior.

Its four main selling points are –

• the 1000lb weight capacity
• it has drop-arm armrests for lateral transfers
• it is an extra wide commode
• it also can be used as a bedside commode and safety frame as well

This raised toilet seat has a safety frame

As the seat is supported by a frame which is made of welded steel tubing, it is far more stable than any raised seat without legs which sit on the toilet bowl rim.

The frame has nice big padded armrests to help with sitting and standing.

This raised toilet seat has drop-arms

This seat has drop-arms to facilitate lateral transfers from a wheelchair or a bed.

These can also be moved away to allow a carer to have side access for cleaning, which is a definite plus if you are looking after an elderly adult.

This raised toilet seat has multiple uses

As well as a raised toilet seat, the Drive commode can be used as a toilet safety frame, and as a bedside commode in whichever area of the home it is needed.

This raised toilet seat is an extra wide model

The space between the armrests is 25.5 inches to give lost of room for larger thighs and hips.

The overall width is 29 inches, so you do need to check that the area around the toilet is wide enough for you to fit this commode over your toilet.

This raised toilet seat is wider than most

The seats on is a 23 inches wide like on the nova, and that is both for comfort, and also for the user to be able to get leverage for the lateral transfer.

This raised toilet seat aperture, or opening, is larger

The opening in the seat is larger to help with personal care, and I will say again that this can be very important for an elderly adult, as it can help maintain feelings of independence, confidence, and if they can clean themselves, it means they get a little more privacy.

 This raised toilet seat has height adjustable legs

This kind of raised toilet seat can be set to multiple heights, so if the situation evolves, and you need to lower, or to raise the seat in the future, you will have other seat height options.

With the fixed height seats, you have to buy another when this happens.

This raised toilet seat will work with any toilet

You will not have to worry whether your seat will fit your toilet, as this seat is placed over the toilet.

The only thing you have to do is to check that the leg height adjustments clear your toilet bowl, and on this model the legs extend from 17.5 inches to 22 inches, so this should clear pretty much ant toilet at 20 inches.

This raised toilet seat installs in seconds

As with all the 3-in-1 commodes, installation as a raised toilet seat is done in seconds –

• remove the pail from the commode
• make sure the seat height is higher than the rim of the toilet bowl
• put the lid and seat of the toilet in the upright position
• place the commode over the toilet

The commode can be slid or lifted away when you need to remove it – there are no bolts, clamps or brackets to undo.

9) TFI Healthcare Wide 3-in -1 Commode with Elongated Seat, Model No. 3224G

TFI Healthcare is one of the companies that makes the more specialized bedside commodes for larger individuals. And the TFI Healthcare Wide 3-in -1 Commode with Elongated Seat, Model No. 3224G, is one of these models.

This commode will appeal to certain elderly adults who like a wider space to sit in, to accommodate larger thighs and hips, and who also need an elongated seat which is designed to facilitate personal care, and that it is why it is on the list.

These commodes are very well constructed and are destined for larger users.

What is the Price ?

The average  price is $320

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

This is I said is a specialty commode for individuals who need a more elongated seat for personal care – the opening of the seat is 12 inches deep, which is quite a bit deeper than most other seats.

As I have already stated a number of times, the types of seat which facilitate personal care can play a very important role in letting an elder adult continue to regain some independence, privacy and confidence, if it means that they can clean themselves alone without help.

So, this seat and others like it can make quite a change in a person’s life.

It has all the advantages of a 3-in-1 commode when used as a raised toilet seat, with its multiples functions and uses.

The seat though does not extend all the way between the armrests, so although the distance between the armrests is 22.75 inches, the seat itself is only 14.75 inches wide.

It is most likely that the seat is narrower as it is not a drop-arm commode, and extra seat width for lateral transfers is not required.
 

Raised toilet seats with legs

Maddak Extra wide Tall-Ette elevated toilet seat w/ aluminum legs, Model No. T725881000 – 400lb weight capacity

Maddak Extra Wide Tall-Ette Elevated Toilet Seat with Steel Legs, Model No. F725882000 – 600lb weight capacity

What is the Price ?

The 400 lb weight capacity model – the Model No. T725881000 with aluminum legs  – the average cost is – $140

The 600 lb weight capacity model – the Model No. F725882000 with steel legs  – the average cost is – $140

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

The Maddak Extra wide Tall-Ette is a raised toilet seat with legs, but which is not set in a frame, and very solid, spreading the weight between the toilet and the legs.

The seat has a bracket which secures to the toilet and to the seat, making the system doubly secure, along with the legs.

Although the Maddak Tall-Ette seats are for larger individuals, the overall design is smaller than for 3-in1 commodes and safety frames with equivalent weight capacities, so will be suited to elderly seniors with smaller bathrooms, which struggle to accommodate the larger seats and frames.

Here are a few more points for consideration –

This raised toilet seat has two models with different weight capacities

The seat has two models –

400 lb weight capacity with aluminum legs

600 lb weight capacity model with steel legs

A difference with this seat from virtually all other raised toilet seats is that the users weight is primarily held by the toilet, but there are legs which will stop the seat from moving around, and will inevitably take some weight.

If the legs were not taking any weight, there would be no need for the steel legs on the model with the 600 lb weight capacity.

This raised toilet seat takes more weight without much extra width

The 400 lb seat is only an inch wider than the standard models of both raised toilet seats with safety frames  between the legs – 19 inches.

The 600 lb seat is only is the same width between standard models of both raised toilet seats with safety frames  between the legs – 18 inches.

So if you are a larger person, you are not going to be getting an awful lot more room for hips and thighs.

The design is more suited to an individual who is taller, but not overweight.
 

This raised toilet seat adds a fixed height of 4 inches to the toilet seat

This is a fixed height toilet seat.

The height of the seat is not adjusted by raising, or lowering, the legs on this model as it is on safety frames withe raised toilet seats, or on 3-in-1 bedside commodes.

So, do measure and make sure that you need a 4-inch adjustment to your toilet seat before you buy this model.

This raised toilet seat is best on standard toilet seats

Now, although this seat is advertised as “compatible with most standard and elongated raised toilet seats”, I have seen a lot of people complain that it does not fit their elongated toilet.

The problem seems to be that the bracket which secures the seat to the toilet has two long grooves which you slide under the seat bolts, and in some cases on elongated toilets the grooves are not long enough, so that when the bolts are tightened the seat front is not over the rim of the bowl, but behind it. This means that the seat is not fully supported on the rim all the way round.

I have not seen any complaints though from owners of standard toilets, as the grooves are long enough, on the bracket, to slip under the bolts of the toilet and to allow the front of the seat to sit on the rim of the bowl – this is because the standard toilet seat is round and therefore the distance is less form the front of the bowl to the back, as when compared with an elongated toilet bowl.

So to avoid problems, maybe only get this model if you have a standard toilet bowl.

This raised toilet seat has big padded armrests

The armrests on the Maddak are large, and they have a nice foam padding on them making them comfortable to lean on, and not cold to the touch.

The armrest padding is in a “high view” blue material which is designed to stand out from the neutral colors of the bathroom, to make it easier for elderly individuals to see them and to avoid accidents when sitting and standing due to low visibility.

This raised toilet seat has adjustable legs

The Maddak Tall-Ette is designed somewhat differently to most other raised toilet seats, in that it sits on the toilet bowl rim, but it also has legs.

The height of the seat is a fixed 4 inches, but because the height of toilets differ, the legs are height adjustable, so you can put the seat on the toilet, and then adjust the legs to reach the floor, so that they take some weight.

The legs are designed to be long enough for all standard and elongated toilets.

This raised toilet seat installs with bolts

To install the seat – 

• the seat comes with a bracket which you first insert under your toilet seat
• the bracket both slides in under the seat bolts, which you loosen, and tighten once the bracket is in place
• put your toilet lid, and seat, in their upright position
• now push the toilet seat down so that the large pins on the bracket, so that they go into the recesses on the underside of the seat, at the back edge
• lastly, adjust the length of the legs by pulling them down until they are on the floor

This doesn’t take too long to install, you will need a tool, to loosen and tighten your existing toilet seat bolts to hold the bracket in place. 

Risers –

The first four are risers, which are made for either a standard, or an elongated toilet bowl, they are not universal, so you need to check your toilet.

If you don’t know how to measure for a toilet for this type of riser, you can take a quick look at my article “How To Measure For A Raised Toilet Seat”, and which also instructs you on how to find the correct height seat.

Risers are attached to the toilet between the seat and the bowl using the seat bolt holes.

You are not replacing your toilet seat but rather, you are lifting it up with the riser, which makes it a very sturdy system

For an elderly senior, you still are going to need armrests, so I would only get a model with armrests.

I am not going to describe each of the following models as they are more, or less, identical, the only difference between the Nova and the Vive risers is that the Vive risers have an extra inch in width between the armrests.

The risers, by Nova Medical Products and Vive, are all 3 1/2 inches tall, so if you require height, you will need to get one of the types of seat I have previously outlined above, or a plinth, which we will be coming onto in a moment

The weight limit for the Nova and Vive risers, is again the same – 300lb, and again if you want more than that you will have to look to the other types of raised toilet seat.

The risers are a good fit for a smaller elderly adult who has good coordination and doesn’t want to have a frame, and who also requires an item which does not take up a lot of room.

Risers are not a good choice for –

• anyone over 300 lb
• anyone who wants to have a frame
• anyone with larger hips and thighs, as the max width is either 18 inches on Nova riser, or 19 inches on Vive risers
• if you want a quick and easy installation without tools – it will take a good 10 to 15 minutes as you have to remove your toilet seat and refit it after
• if you want to be able to remove it when you have guests – you will need to take it all apart, and then put your toilet seat and lid back on the toilet

That said, they are very solid and better than any of the other types of raised toilet seat which attach to the toilet.

12) Nova 3.5 Inch Raised Toilet Seat Riser with Arms  (standard), Model No. 8344 – R

What is the Price ?

The average price is $60

13) Nova 3.5 Inch Raised Toilet Seat Riser with Arms (elongated), Model No. 8343 – R

What is the Price ?

The average price is $60

14) Vive 3.5 Inch Toilet Seat Riser with Handles  (standard) – Model No. LVA1071S

What is the Price ?

The average price is $75

15) Vive 3.5 Inch Toilet Seat Riser with Handles (elongated) – Model No. LVA1071E

What is the Price ?

The average price is $75

16) Maddak 3 Inch Push-Up Elevated Toilet Seat with Arms – (standard toilet only) Model No. F725600050

The Maddak riser is a little different from the models of risers by Nova Medical Products, and Vive, and is for a larger individual.

It fits under the toilet seat and lifts it up in the same way as other risers, but there is not just an oval ring, there is a wider platform area to either side of the toilet seat, which for certain users may be more comfortable.

The other notable difference, other than the higher price, is the weight capacity, which is a full 100lb more, at 400 lb.

Between the armrests, the seat is about i.5 inches wider, giving a little more width for wider hips and thighs

What is the Price ?

The average price is $107

Plinths

17) Toilevator

The Toilevator is quite simply a plinth which is placed under the toilet to lift your seat by 3.5 inches.

What is the price ?

The average price is $95 + the cost of an hour of labor + the cost of a grab bar installation, or a safety frame which you can pop on the toilet yourself very easily.

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

These are very sturdy, and nothing about the toilet seat changes except for the height.

In a sense, there is little that is new for the user to learn, which can be helpful with elderly seniors who are having cognitive issues, and who need as much to be familiar as is possible.

You will certainly not have any of the issues you have with less solid raised toilet seats, but…

I would advise, again and again, that you use some kind of grab bars on the walls, or a safety rail for the toilet, so there is proper support for sitting down and standing up.

The Toilevator is installed under your toilet

The toilet is removed, and the Toilevator plus some wax seals, and a pipe extension, are fitted where the toilet was, and the toilet is then placed back on top of the plinth, and secured.

There are two sizes of Toilevator plinth, in terms of the area they cover, and they do fit most toilets.

In terms of height, there is one size which is 3.5 inches.

The job is not something for an elderly senior to do, and will require someone to do the installation, but once done, it is a permanent solution.

The installation will take around an hour for someone with experience.

You can see how it is done in the video I have added below.
 

Toilevator has an 500 lb weight capacity

All the different models are made from composite PVC resin, and have a weight capacity of 800 lb.

The Toilevator blends into the bathroom seamlessly

The riser is made from ceramic like the toilet and blends into the bathroom decor, unless of course you have a colored toilet.

The Toilevator doesn’t have any form of armrest for support

If you get a Toilevator you will need to install either grab bars on the walls, or a form of safety rail on the toilet, for an elderly senior.

In spite of the fact that the Toilevator is extremely solid, your elderly senior will still need the forms of support for the act of sitting and standing.

The Toilevator takes no extra space

A great advantage to the Toilevator is that it doesn’t take up any extra floor space, like some frames, and it won’t be too wide as some commodes either.

Even if you fit a safety rail to the toilet, theses are not usually wider than the toilet by more than an inch or two.

The Toilevator doesn’t change your toilet seat

You don’t change the toilet seat and nothing is attached to it.

The Toilevator doesn’t need to be removed for guests

You do not have to remove anything if you have guests, as you do with all the other types of toilet, unless of course you use it with a safety frame, but even that is quick to remove, but probably would not be necessary as it would not stop a guest from using the toilet in a normal manner.

The Toilevator is a set height

The Toilevator is set at 3.5 inches, so this is not like safety frames with raised seats which you can adjust to multiple heights.

If you get the wrong height with the Toilevator – 3.5 inches – and it doesn’t suit you, then you will have to remove the toilet etc. again, which will become a very costly operation.

So I would suggest before doing anything, you measure the height of your toilet seat, from the floor, and then find a chair, which your elderly loved one can use, and raise that to the same height as the toilet seat, plus 3.5 inches. And now, you can help the person to sit on that to see if it is at the correct height. This could save a lot of money if it isn’t.

18) Medway Easy Toilet Riser

The Medway Easy Toilet Riser is made in the USA by Medway, and has 4 models of plinth to raise up your toilet.

What is the price ?

The average price is $110 + the cost of installation + plus the cost of  safety rail or grab bars

This is certainly not the cheapest solution, but it is a very solid one if done properly.

Why is it a good raised toilet seat for an elderly senior ?

The Easy Toilet Riser is installed under your toilet

The plinth, or pedestal, is installed under the toilet and need never be touched again.

You remove the toilet, add the plinth and some accessories, and then place the toilet on top of the plinth.

There are two sizes of plinth in terms of the area they cover, and they do fit most toilets.

In terms of height, there is a 2-inch plinth and a 4-inch plinth, so you do want to get the correct height before you do the work.

The job requires the lifting of the toilet, so it is not going to be something an elderly senior can do, and will require someone to do the installation, but once done, it should not have to be touched again. The installation takes around an hour for someone with experience.

You can see how it is done in the video I have added below.
 

The Easy Toilet Riser has an 800 lb weight capacity

All the different models are made from one-piece molded PVC, and have a weight capacity of 800 lb.

The Easy Toilet Riser blends into the bathroom seamlessly

The riser is made from PVC like the toilet and blends into the bathroom decor, unless of course you have a colored toilet.

The Easy Toilet Riser takes no extra space

The riser takes up no space, no legs, no frame etc., it is only 12 inches wide, so you don’t have to worry about not having enough space around the toilet for the unit.

I would advise either grab bars on the wall, or a safety frame to help an elderly senior support themselves as they sit or stand.

The Easy Toilet Riser doesn’t change your toilet seat

The seat of the toilet is not replaced, or adapted, with this design, so an elderly user will not have to adjust to anything new, at that level.

The Easy Toilet Riser doesn’t need to be removed for guests

If you have guests, there is nothing to take off the toilet or to put away, and your guests probably won’t notice that you have a plinth.

The Easy Toilet Riser doesn’t help with armrests

The only problem I have with plinths, is nothing to do with their structural integrity, it is simply that there is no armrest, so as well as having a workman put the plinth in place, you will need to have some form of safety rail, or bars put up on the wall or toilet.

The Easy Toilet Riser is a set height

The risers are a set height, so if they are too low, or too high, you are going to have quite a bill to correct that, as you will have to move the toilet again to make the change.

So do measure well the height of riser you need.

Best raised toilet seats for after a hip replacement ?

As, I have already stated in the intro to this article, I wouldn’t ask a senior to use any seat without an armrest, and I do prefer raised seats within a frame, or a good riser with armrests, for the not so elderly.

Having said that, after a hip replacement, while the soft tissue is still lacking in tone and the muscles are weakened, my preference for the elderly seniors is to have them use only raised toilet seats in some kind of frame. Be it a raised seat in a safety frame, or a bedside commode.

If you are looking for more in depth information, I do have an article “Best Raised Toilet Seats After A Hip Replacement” which outlines-

• the best raised toilet seats after a hip replacement (pretty much what you have seen here)
• do I need a raised toilet seat after hip surgery
• the correct position to sit in after a hip replacement – the “90 Degree Rule”
• how to sit and stand after a hip replacement
• how long you should use a raised toilet seat for after a hip replacement

Best raised toilet seats for elderly seniors after a hip replacement

1) OasisSpace Stand Alone Safety Frame and Raised Toilet Seat – with a hard seat

2) OasisSpace Stand Alone Safety Frame and Raised Toilet Seat – with a padded seat

3) PlatinumHealth Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat (safety frames with raised toilet seat)

4) Medline – basic 3-in-1 Bedside Commode

5) Nova Drop-Arm Padded Commode

6) PlatinumHealth GentleBoost Uplift 3-in-1 Commode and Shower Chair

*** Note. I have not included risers for elderly seniors after a hip replacement, as I don’t think that they offer the same comfort and width, as the seats above, and without the frame, they don’t inspire the same confidence in an elderly person. This is, of course, my own personal view, based on my 12 years of experience with caring for both my elderly father and mother.
 

Best raised toilet seats for larger elderly seniors (over 350 lb) after a hip replacement

1) Nova Heavy Duty Drop-Arm Commode

2) Drive Deluxe Bariatric Drop-Arm Commode

Best raised toilet seats for a younger, fitter senior who doesn’t to have the frame over the toilet

Risers

1) Nova 3.5″ raised toilet seat riser with arms  (standard) – 300lb weight capacity

2) Nova 3.5″ raised toilet seat riser with arms  (elongated) – 300lb weight capacity

3) Vive toilet seat riser with handles  (standard) 300lb – 300lb weight capacity

4) Vive toilet seat riser with handles  (elongated) 300lb – 300lb weight capacity

The four are risers, which are made for either a standard, or an elongated toilet bowl, they are not universal, so you must pick the correct model for your toilet.

Front locking raised toilet seat with armrests

These models of front locking raised toilet seat are a less sturdy than the risers, which are actually bolted to the toilet itself –

1) Vive raised toilet seat with detachable handles

2) Drive Medical Premium plastic raised toilet seat with armrests

3) Nova raised toilet seat with detachable arms

If you are going to invest in a seat of this kind, I would suggest that you also install grab bars alongside the toilet so that you have something to hold onto which is actually bolted down.

Best raised toilet seats after a hip replacement, for larger, younger seniors

1) Nova Heavy Duty Drop-Arm Commode

2) Drive Deluxe Bariatric Drop-Arm Commode

For larger younger seniors who need a raised toilet seat which takes over 300 lb in weight, I would look at the Heavy Duty Bedside commodes which I have already listed above for the elderly, but here they are again !

Over the 400 lb weight limit, you only have the Maddak raised toilet seats with legs, or bariatric 3-in-1 bedside commodes, unless you fit a plinth under your toilet, such as the Medway Easy Toilet Riser.

Where to buy raised toilet seats ?

You are going to find the best deals on new raised toilet seats, of all types, at the largest retailers –

• Walmart
• Amazon
• Lowes
• Home Depot

If you go to my article “Where To Buy A Raised Toilet Seat ?” you will find out which retailers have the widest ranges, and which brands they stock, as well as where to buy a 3-in-1 commode if you are covered by Medicare, or you are a Veteran, and where to get refurbished models.

Top brands of raised toilet seats

The most established brands of models which can be used as raised toilet seats are –

• PlatinumHealth
• Drive Medical
• Nova
• Vive
• TFI Healthcare
• OasisSpace
• Bemis
• Centoco
• Maddak
• Lumex
• Mobb
• Medline
• Probasics
• Performance Health
• Guardian
• Graham Field
• Invacare

Raised toilet seats near me ?

The easiest thing is to buy the seats online.

I have the site I prefer, just because I like to support small businesses when I can, and I have a hard time finding a lot of the specifications for these products on Amazon, or Walmart – plus Amazon sellers tend to stuff their products with so many keywords, that it makes things rather inaccurate sometimes, and very hard to get what you are actually asking for.

The online stores that I like to use are –

Rehabmart.com

American Discount Home Medical Equipment

Types of raised toilet seat

If you want an article which goes into depth about all the different types of raised toilet seats, how they attach to the toilet, with lots of different examples of models, weight capacities etc., you can find that all in my article “Types Of Raised Toilet Seats: All You Should Know Before You Buy”.

Don’t forget that when you are picking a raised toilet seat, you do want to check the weight capacity. I have tried to make that really easy for you, and have written a post which is basically a massive list of raised toilet seats organized by weight limit – “Raised Toilet Seat Weight Capacity: Over 180 Examples”.

Raised toilet seats for temporary use

Raised toilet seats for medium term use

Raised toilet seats for long-term use

I would recommend all the following types of seats, which have been designed for long-term use for seniors, except for the Tall seats, as they do not come with armrests.

Of course, you can install armrests on your bathroom walls, but you are just giving yourself more work to do.

I prefer the last three types –

• raised toilet seat with legs
• safety frames with raised toilet seats
• 3-in-1 bedside commodes

The last three are more substantial, and can be just lifted away from the toilet in seconds, if you have a guest, whereas the risers have to be dismantled.

That involves removing the riser, and then putting the toilet seat back on to the toilet, once you have got the riser out of there, and this can take some time to do.

For larger individuals who require equipment with weight capacities of 400 lb or more, you will only have the choice of 3-in-1 style bedside commodes, if you want more than the 1, or 2, inches of extra height offered by Big John toilet seats(the only other option with a high weight capacity).

3-in-1 commodes also offer a range of choices for seat width, aperture size, and elongated seats, which you will not find to anything like the same extent with other types of raised toilet seating.

The last four types of raised toilet seat are the most secure, and the best suited to long-term use for the elderly and the disabled.

In this article I will go through all the different types, their best uses, advantages and drawbacks, and which seats are best suited to the elderly.

As well as, all the classic raised, or elevated, toilet seat types, there are also different models of multipurpose bedside commodes which can be used as raised toilet seats. I will outline those with their different use scenarios as well.

Once you have discovered all the different types and come to some kind of decision about which it is that you want to buy, I have an article about the “Where To Buy A Raised Toilet Seat ?”, which outlines the main brands, which stores have the largest selections of raised toilet seats and which brands they carry, and where to get a gently used raised toilet seat.

What type of raised toilet seat you need ? Ask your surgeon

Before your surgery, you should discuss with your surgeon what type of raised toilet seat they recommend for you to use after your surgery.

My mom had her hip replacement surgery at 88 yrs old, and we decided to get her a 3-in-1 bedside commode – we tried a couple of seats with brackets which attached to the toilet bowl, and they just weren’t solid enough, and moved all over the place.

At the hospital we received instruction on how to sit down and to stand up, after the surgery, using a walker, and which helped us to avoid any injuries.

Mom was also advised to use the walker to back up to the raised toilet seat, before sitting down, in order to transfer her weight from the walker to the raised toilet seat armrests.

We got all the info my mom and I needed from her surgeon and the physio therapy team working with him.
 

Do I need a raised toilet seat after hip surgery ?

The following is for lateral and posterior hip replacements, and not typically for anterior hip replacements, but in all cases, you must ask your surgeon. 
If your knee at the back where you bend it is lower than the level of the toilet seat, you will need a raised toilet seat after hip replacement surgery.

How to choose a raised toilet seat

To find the raised toilet seat which is suitable for you, or a loved one, you will need to consider –

The equipment itself –

• what particular features do you need ?
• what size and weight capacity requirements do you have
• do you know how to sit using a walker ?
• is the seat going to be for long, medium, or short-term use ?

The space –

• the space where it is going ? Clutter ? Access ?

The intended user –

• how is your health ?
• do you have any specific medical conditions which can affect your choice

 You need to ask yourself these questions to help refine your choice of raised toilet seat  –

The bathroom space

• how much space do you have for the seat ?
• do you need to make it more clutter-free ?
• is there a need for extra grab bars, and a walker ?

Is the user in good health ?

• how strong ?
• how old ?
• are there balance and mobility issue ?
• are they overweight ?
• are they really tall ?

Are there medical issues ?

• are there medical issues which need to be taken into account ?
• does a medical practitioner need to be informed ?
• are there visual impairments which need considering ?
• is the raised toilet seat required for a post surgery rehab ?

Hopefully these questions will get you started.

If you need more, you can read, “How To Choose A Raised Toilet Seat ?”.

There’s lots more information on the features on raised toilet seats, that you want to consider, and a free “Raised Toilet Seat Checklist” full of questions that you can use to help you make your choice.