What you need to know about bedside commodes for disabilities

For many patients with limited mobility, whether they are weakened by age or disability, a bedside commode can be a crucial piece of furniture to own and can be very effective in preventing bedwetting.

Built with a durable frame, toilet seat and removable bucket, and offering extra features such as armrests, backrests, foldability and more, commode chairs are primarily designed to be placed near the patient's bed for use during nighttime hours, when they have difficulty getting to the toilet with enough time or without the help of others.

There are many styles of commodes available, including but not limited to these options:

All-in-One Commode

Padded Commode

Drop Arm Commode

Folding Commode

Bariatric Commode

Combination Commode

All-in-One CommodesAll-in-one commodes offer additional benefits for users, functioning as a toilet safety frame and/or raised toilet seat in addition to its standard us as a bedside commode. By purchasing this combination product, users can have the commode near their bed for nighttime use and then use it to provide support and make the regular toilet more accessible for use during the day.

Padded CommodesMany commode chairs are designed with non-padded surfaces, making them super easy to wipe down. However, for users who prefer a higher level of comfort, commodes are available with padded chairs, armrests and backs, and are also designed to clean well.

Drop Arm CommodesDrop arm commodes offer yet another great feature - they are equipped with armrests for support that can drop down and out of the way to facilitate easier transfers of patients with low mobility levels.

Folding CommodesAny of these commodes may come with the ability to be folded, which makes moving the chair from one room to the next - or bringing it along when you're on the go - easier and more convenient.

Bariatric CommodesYou can also find a large selection of bariatric commodes, designed to be super durable and sturdy for higher weights with weight capacities of up to 1,000 pounds!

Combination CommodesFinally, for those with very limited independence, there are some commodes that are designed to be fully transportable, with wheels and even, in some cases, leg rests. Whether you prefer a transport chair style or a PVC shower chair, there are many medical products that are equipped with commode openings for convenience.

Hanna Landman lives in NJ with her family. She works at AvaCare Medical, one of the largest online medical supply stores, and enjoys helping seniors and caregivers find the perfect products for their needs.