How To Safely Use Bedside Commodes: Tips For Caregivers
Home care accessories like shower chairs, bedside commodes, and hospital beds are all useful for helping older and disabled adults remain independent longer. A bedside commode is a useful home care aide for many people with limited mobility, who struggle to make it to the bathroom safely.
If you’re a caregiver, you might need to help a care recipient use a bedside commode. Safety is important, so in this article, we’ll outline some tips for using a commode correctly, including:
- Assembly and set up
- Positioning the chair
- Moving your care recipient safely
- Cleaning the commode
For more information on caregiving topics like this, find out if you have free access to the Trualta resource library and caregiving community.
Who Can Benefit From A Bedside Commode?
A bedside commode is a portable toilet situated next to a bed. It provides an alternative to a standard toilet in a bathroom. If it’s too difficult for your loved one to get to and use the bathroom safely, they could benefit from a portable commode.
This alternative benefits people with serious mobility issues. A portable commode may be useful for someone with an injury or recovering from surgery, for instance. It can also be helpful for someone with cognitive deficits or incontinence.
Like other home care aides, a commode can be a useful tool that helps older adults stay home longer. These tools keep them safe and aid hygiene, so you can delay the transition to assisted living.
Setting Up & Positioning The Commode
The first step in using a bedside commode chair safely is to set it up correctly. Depending on how the chair arrives, you may need to assemble it from its constituent parts. Bedside commodes are sturdy chairs typically made from plastic and metal. They have arms, handles, and a back. The seat is a toilet seat with a removable bucket underneath that acts as the toilet bowl.
Before getting started, read all the manufacturer materials to ensure you understand how to assemble and use the chair. The legs should have adjustable heights. Set them to an appropriate height for your loved one. When they sit on the seat, their knees should be bent at about 90 degrees and their feet comfortably flat on the floor.
Make sure each leg of the commode is the same length so that it is stable. Place it next to the bed on a level surface. Check the stability and ensure it doesn’t move or rock when you sit on it. If it is a wheeled commode, be sure the wheels are locked before use. Have toilet paper and related products, like cleaning wipes, on hand and within easy reach.
Moving Between The Bed & Bedside Commode
Once the commode is in position and stable, your care recipient can use it but still needs to move safely from the bed to the chair and back. If they can move between the bed and chair without help, the bedside commode gives your loved one more privacy and independence.
If they need your help, be sure you know how to move your loved one in a way that is safe for both of you. Here are some tips:
- Have your loved one sit up in bed and swing their legs over the side of the bed. You can help with this step if necessary.
- Ask your loved one to lean forward as they stand. Stand in front of them and lend support or actively lift if they need help.
- While they’re standing, help your loved one rotate to a position from which they can sit down on the commode.
- Ask them to reach back and grab the side handles before sitting down on the seat. Make sure they sit on the center of the seat so that the chair doesn’t tip.
- Reverse these steps to help your care recipient back into bed.
How To Clean Bedside Commodes
Once your loved one is safely back in bed, dispose of the waste by removing the bucket from the chair and flushing the waste in the toilet. Wash and disinfect the removable bucket after each use. If you use a commode liner, you can remove the liner, seal it, and dispose of it appropriately.
Clean the seat, lid, and frame of the bedside commode at least once a week. If they become soiled, clean these areas more frequently. Wipe down all of these areas with a wet cloth and sanitizing cleaner. Wipe again with a wet cloth to remove the cleaner and dry the commode before using it again.
Bedside commodes, raised toilet seats, grab bars, and other aids help make bathroom hygiene easier and safer. A commode is a good alternative to a regular toilet but must be used appropriately and correctly to be safe for your loved one. Choose a model for durability, safety features, and a price you can afford.
For more information on caregiving topics like this, find out if you have free access to the Trualta resource library and caregiving community.
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