What is a commode wheelchair?
A commode wheelchair, as the name in itself suggests, is a wheelchair with an attached toilet bowl. This bowl can be easily removed and cleaned or replaced altogether.
Who needs a commode wheelchair?
Now, who could possibly need a portable toilet? Certainly not the general public. It’s the people with severe disabilities or people who are very aged, all of which result in very limited movements and mobility.
Benefits of a commode wheelchair
A commode wheelchair not only lets them move about but also provides them with a certain degree of dignity. Often it happens that the elderly or differently-abled people meet with accidents in the bathroom and hence, they require constant surveillance and assistance of their caretakers while they are inside.
A commode wheelchair provides an easy solution, thus avoiding such a situation. It also provides the user with privacy which might not have been possible previously. It is easier and convenient for both the person using it as well as for the caretaker.
Features of a commode wheelchair :
- The toilet seat – It often has a receptacle underneath onto which a removable toilet bowl is attached.
- A chair back and armrests for comfort and support.
- Foldable footrest or fixed footrests.
- Light in weight
- Durable frame- this is possible due to the use of hollow steel tubing in most of them.
- Ergonomically designed to provide maximum seating comfort.
Types of commode wheelchairs
Over-the-Toilet Commode Chair:-
- Suitable for individuals who do not have a 24/7 available caretaker who can change the used toilet bowl from time to time.
- The individual has the advantage of going into the bathroom and using it by himself, without having to get up.
- This variant allows the user to wheel the commode wheelchair over the toilet and locks it into position.
- This is possible as this type features four wheels with locking mechanisms.
- It does not have a removable toilet bowl.
Drop-Arm Commode Wheelchair:-
- This variant is for the individuals who are, for the most part, bed-ridden or cannot be in a sitting position for long periods of time.
- It allows easy transfer of the individual from the bed to the wheelchair by unlocking the armrests.