Elevated toilet seats are a special type of equipment designed to elevate the height of the average toilet. While they can be very useful for people with mobility problems, not all insurances cover their purchase. Furthermore, there is more than one type of elevated toilet seat, making it challenging to pick the right one. Here's what you need to know.
A raised toilet seat is a small piece of equipment that goes on top of a toilet bowl to increase its height. They are usually used by people who may have trouble sitting down in seats that are as low as a toilet, such as older people. Toilet seat risers come in various heights, but most range from 2 to 6 inches.
Most elevated toilet seats are universal, meaning that they will fit both round and oval-shaped toilet bowls. However, there are a few variations regarding how they are locked into the toilet and whether or not they have arms.
Here are the three most popular types of raised toilet seats:
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Bubble-type raised toilet seat. These are the most common type of elevated toilet seat. They provide a quick and easy solution because they are fairly easy to install. They don't come with locks or hand grips, so to install them, you only have to place them over the bowl opening and press down.
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Raised toilet seat with lock. Some elevated toilet seats come with either a lock or an adjustment knob. Thanks to these mechanisms, you can ensure that the toilet seat will fit nicely into the bowl — however, they can be more complex to install. Most require either adjusting bolts to the seat or tightening an adjustment knob.
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Adjustable-height raised toilet seats. While usually more expensive, some elevated toilet seats allow you to control the height. This is done through clamps that go on the side of the toilet, which you can adjust higher or lower depending on your preference. Still, much like locked raised toilet seats, they may be more complex to install. Another important thing to keep in mind while shopping for an elevated toilet seat is whether it has hand grips. Also called arm supports, these can be beneficial to people who need to use their upper body strength to sit down safely. However, hand grips aren't designed to fully support your weight and should be used with care.
Most toilets are lower than a chair, which often causes unnecessary difficulties for people with mobility issues. ElevatedRoute toilet seats solve this problem by raising the height of the toilet and even providing handbars in some cases.
Usually, older people are the ones who will find raised toilet seats most beneficial, as aging often causes sarcopenia. Sarcopenia refers to gradual muscle and strength loss, which often results in a loss of mobility. Other conditions may also call for an elevated toilet seat, including back arthritis, scoliosis, herniated discs, brain or spine injuries, obesity, Parkinson's disease.
Sadly, not all insurances cover raised toilet seats—even if you need them due to mobility-related conditions. You'll have to ask your provider for the exact information regarding their stance. If you find that your insurance doesn't cover elevated toilet seats, don't be afraid to ask which other toileting equipment it covers. Sometimes, insurance will cover equipment such as seat lifts or, more commonly, commodes., elevated toilet seats are a useful addition for elderly individuals with mobility challenges. They provide a convenient and adjustable solution to the problem of low seating height. While most insurance companies cover the cost of raised toilet seats in certain situations, it's important to consult with your provider to determine whether these fixtures are covered in your specific case.