RTS - A PRIMER Let’s talk about a health product that gets very little publicity or promotion but one which is of great advantage when you happen to need it - RAISED TOILET SEAT (RTS). —the My introduction to raised toilet seats came as the result of a bulging disk in my wife’s back. The pain from the pressure on her sacral nerve area became so severe that she could not stand or sit comfortably. We purchased a raised toilet seat from a medical supply house, installed it, and were amazed at the difference it made in my wife’s comfort in sitting and rising. (This one had a solid plastic frame and attached to the toilet with a large screw.) Since that episode, I have done some research into raised toilet seats because, as we age, we need to be on the lookout for every opportunity for self-protection and reduction of risk in our daily lives. I found that the raised toilet seat is a relatively inexpensive way to reduce pain and the risk of falls and other injuries.

BENEFIT AREAS We are told that as many as one in two Senior Citizens over the age of 60 will be injured in a fall of some kind. A particularly vulnerable place for seniors to fall is the bathroom area where using the tub/shower, toilet, etc. present opportunities for slippage, loss of balance, awkwardness in bending or stooping. The raised toilet seat reduces the distance that one must cover in sitting and standing and provides support as one moves about the bath area. People suffering from various forms of arthritis have difficulty moving easily, bending, stooping, or twisting. A raised toilet seat lessens the distance that one has to move in sitting and standing and reduces the exposure to pain associated with those movements. A raised toilet seat is an advantage to patients recovering from orthopedic and other surgeries because its raised height reduces the stress and pain associated with sitting and standing—less distance traveled, less strength required to sit or stand, less bending and pressure on sensitive areas. People confined to a wheelchair have a particularly difficult time transferring from their chair to the toilet seat. A raised toilet seat makes the transfer easier and lessens the risk of a slip or a fall.

OPTIONALS Raised toilet seats come in several sizes, materials, attachment options, and with accessories like handrails. Depending on one’s needs and preferences, you can get the seats in heights from 2” to 4” and higher, made of soft foam or hard plastic material, fastening with straps or screws, in standard toilet seat size or over-sized. Seats with handrails are particularly beneficial in assisting with sitting and standing and provide a support aid when walking and changing positions.

SOURCES There are several manufacturers, distributors, and Internet sources of raised toilet seats and I have listed some below.

These products are available from major retail outlets such as pharmacies, department stores, and mass merchandisers. Many of these sources offer Senior Citizen discounts. One of the distributors, ActiveForever Medical Equipment, has discount coupons in the front of its catalog (which is free upon request) that are applicable on their toilet seat products.

MISCELLANEOUS Some insurance companies cover the cost of raised toilet seats—it pays to check to see if this purchase may be covered under the terms of your policy. Some motels and hotels will install raised toilet seats on request. Prices on RTS’s range from about $20 to over $150 but the seat cost may well be small when compared to the expenses and pain resulting from a fall in the bathroom. And just the relief from the pain of a bulging disk or an arthritis condition or surgery can be worth many times more than the cost of the seat.