Bedside Commodes – The Convenient Way To Answer Nature's Call

If you struggle with sudden urges to urinate, having a commode nearby can also help prevent accidents and cut down on the number of adult diapers you need to wear each day.

Bedside commodes are available in different styles and in a wide range of prices. A standard bedside commode is quite affordable and may even be covered by your insurance as home medical equipment. A bedside commode is a portable toilet. They look similar to wheelchairs and may be on wheels or on legs similar to walkers. The seat looks like a traditional toilet seat that sits on top of a collection container that slips into the bottom of the commode. Since these don't operate with water, and can't be flushed, the container needs to be removed, emptied, and cleaned after each use.

Bedside commodes come in different sizes. A standard size is suitable to people of average weight. The legs may be adjustable to accommodate different heights. If you are an extra large person, you should take care to buy a commode that can handle the extra weight and space you require. You'll also have various styles to choose from. Some of them can double as a shower chair, wheelchair, or booster seat for a traditional toilet.

If you buy a bedside commode on wheels, be sure to keep the wheels locked so it doesn't roll away from you and cause you to fall. To make cleaning the container an easier job, keep a small amount of water in it, or line it with a plastic liner that you can twist shut and toss into the trash. To control odor and germs, the container should be washed with a toilet brush and cleaner designed to kill germs after each use.

Some bedside commodes have toilet seat lids and others don't. If you don't plan to empty the container each time you urinate, especially at night, you probably want to buy one with a lid so you can seal the commode and control odor. Cleaning the container as soon as possible will help prevent build-up and staining that will be more difficult to remove later on.

If you plan to use a bedside commode, don't forget you won't have running water at your bedside so you need to have supplies nearby also. You will need toilet paper, wet wipes, washcloths, soap, and maybe even a bowl and jug of water so you can wash your hands when you are finished.

Bedside commodes are especially helpful for people with nocturia. Having to get up several times each night to urinate can disrupt sleep. Not only that, there is risk of accidents on the way to the bathroom. Being able to slide out of bed and sit directly onto a commode can eliminate some of these problems.

Bedside commodes are a great help for caregivers too. It is easier to get your loved one out of bed and onto a commode nearby than it is to walk them down the hall or transfer to a wheel chair and then to the toilet. It may be impossible for you to maneuver your loved one safely if your bathroom is small.

Bedside commodes are affordable and useful medical devices that can even make the difference between staying at home and having to move into an extended care facility. Whether you use one yourself or care for a loved one that needs one, bedside commodes can take the stress out of answering nature's call no matter what time of day or night.