Are You Comfortable When You Poop?

OK, I know this is a personal question, but think about this…

Toilet flushing is the single highest use of water in the average home.(1) And, according to the World Toilet Organization ( WTO), the average person uses a toilet 2,500 times a year, or six to eight times daily! (2)

Most homes, both old and new construction, come with low-cost, low level toilets where minimal diameter seats barely accompany our rumps. Comfort’s one issue, but what if you have arthritis, been in an accident, or lose your balance easily? More than comfort, low toilet seats can be hazardous.

Here’s the good news! Universal Design gives you options to improve (and beautify!) your accommodations to make this function easier, safer, and even more enjoyable.

Solutions include adjusting the seat height, proper lighting, and accessibility.

Raising the Bar (Actually, the Seat Height)

You can buy comfort height toilets at both home improvement and quality plumbing supply stores. Unless you’re up to the task, use professional plumbers to replace and install. Either way, it’s a low cost option to ease getting up and down with wider and/or longer seats.

If you’re home includes a toddler who needs potty training, use toilet training seats to make adjustments for this (hopefully very temporary!) situation…without sacrificing your comfort.

See Where You’re about to Sit!

I can’t say enough about proper lighting. Probably most accidents occur in under-lit surroundings. It’s why I recommend putting a night light behind the toilet seat. If there’s no outlet there, then place a light nearby to illuminate the seat and surrounding area. Add a little pizzazz using new technology toilets embedded with LED lights. Missing the seat at night has many consequences!

Balance (Or Grab) Bars aren’t just for the Elderly

We tend to think grab bars only exist in nursing or assisted living facilities. Now the trend is to place them in family homes. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects 1.3 million people in the U.S. According to WebMD, it’s typically diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 80. The article goes on to say the odds of someone in their 20s developing RA is 1 in 714 for women and 1 in 2,778 for men. (3)

RA isn’t the only reason for balance bars. Many medical conditions, even temporary ones, make anyone, any age vulnerable to falls. With new styles available, bars even add a decorative touch.

Where’s the TP???

One thing people don’t consider is the best place for toilet paper. (And by the way, where are the spares?) The holder needs to be the right distance and height for a comfortable reach – eliminating the possibility of losing your balance when you reach for the next application.

Six To Eight Uses Per Day!

By now, you can see how important a well-planned toilet is not only for comfort…but safety. Numerous designs complement any bathroom décor and with a well-lit, comfortable toilet seat…life is easier at least six to eight times a day.

Live easy,

~Jeanette

P.S.