Spil-Pruf Female Urinal
Safety Bath
Invacare Toilet Frame
Lubidet Personal Wash
Freshette Female Urinal System
Duratilt Tilt-in-Space Shower Chair
Savannah Raised Toilet Seat
Toilevator
Spil-Pruf Female Urinal
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Active Forever
Cost: $21.95
Reimbursement:
Pros:
This female urinal has worked very well for me. I have had few leaks since the first time I used it. We experimented and found that by reclining my wheelchair a bit, using the towel that I sit on to scoot me forward in my chair, and then placing my feet to the outer edges of the footrests, it is easy for a caregiver to position and doesn't leak. I wear open bottom slacks all the time but this would work with skirts as well. The urinal has a one-way valve in it so it can't be spilled after it is used. It comes apart easily for emptying and rinsing or washing. I used it on a recent trip and my husband prefers it to transferring me to the toilet even at home.
Cons:
The urinal with the anti-spill section and the curved cup attached is rather large. Although the odd shape and dark blue color camouflages it pretty well, my husband used a tote bag when carrying it. It takes a few tries to learn how best to position yourself, and unless you have good arm strength, you will need assitance. You have to wear a skirt or open bottom slacks (see
these in the Clothing section) or possibly very stretchy loose slacks, to use it.
Summary:
I bought it to use just when traveling but now I use it at home and take it along in the van wherever we go!
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Safety Bath
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: CWI Medical
Cost: $5379.50
Reimbursement:
Pros:
I have a difficult time getting in and out of a normal bathtub because of the sides of the tub. I am always afraid that I will fall if I am by myself. With this tub, I open the door, close it and take a bath. When I am done, I open the door and walk out by myself.
Cons:
Takes getting use to. I was always afraid it was going to leak because it's a door, but I have been very happy with it. I was afraid that it wasn't going to fit, but it fits fine.
Summary:
Any one considering, redoing a bathroom or building a new one, and has a hard time getting in a normal bath tub should consider this one. Also if you have limited space, it's perfect.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Invacare Toilet Seat Frame
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer Allegro Medical
Cost: $29.00
Reimbursement:
Pros:
The arms of this frame can be easily removed by pushing down on the snap-in button. With the frame off, it doesn't look like a handicapped bathroom. They seem to be strong enough to support the average person.
Cons:
None at this time.
Summary:
I found that our new bathroom with all of the extra space for transferring was just great EXCEPT for the toilet. If we wheeled a commode chair over the toilet, it was fine, but if we transferred from a power chair to the toilet, there were no armrests to be used for support while sitting. This frame solved our problem without having to drill into the tile. The frame could be easily removed without making the toilet look like just a handicapped toilet. We use this over a toilet that's higher than normal, but not too high that we can't roll a commode chair over it.
Comments From Other Users:
BWagner: Not for short people. The arms are too high..
Add your comments.Lubidet Personal Wash
Reviewed by:
Richard Koerner
Manufacturer/Retailer: Lubidet
Cost: $400
Reimbursement:
Pros:
The replacement toilet seat and personal washing system are easy to install, all required parts are included. You have the option of having either a right hand or left hand water control. It also comes supplied with a heated forced air drying system. The warranty is excellent, I had to replace mine due to a major water leak after one year, this was at no charge!
Cons:
I can't think of any.
Summary:
A very good product to not only help keep your dignity as well as your independence.
Comments From Other Users:
Susan: I ordered a Lubidet washlet. It took over three weeks to arrive, during which time Lubidet had already charged my credit card, requiring more than one long distance telephone call for explanation with questionable explanations provided. When it arrived, the connecting parts were made of plastic, not recommended for use by a master plumber, and the main body of the Lubidet was clearly used, with no return address anywhere in or on the package or packing materials. A check with the Better Business Bureau revealed other complaints against Lubidet, so, using UPS to track down Lubidet, their washlet was returned unused. The owner called one week after our tracking revealed he had received the package with our letter of explanation, saying he'd just received it that day, and attempting to argue with us.We then ordered a Toto Jasmine washlet, receiving it one week after order. It was made of sturdier materials, with a clear warranty and more options than the Lubidet, unused, with connector parts
made of steel. We found the Toto on line for $629.00 (no shipping charges) on www.hygieneforhealth.com and highly recommend them as well as Toto.
Add your comments.Freshette Female Urinal System
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Wisdom King
Cost: $48.24
Reimbursement:
Pros:
I use it while sitting in my wheel chair so I don't have to get up each time. I wear a Depends pad open (if you can't button and unbutton alone) so any leakage will be absorbed. And, I wear dresses that can be easily raised.I use it while sitting in my wheel chair so I don't have to get up each time.
It comes with two length hoses. I can still use my hands enough that I can manage by myself, but this also works well for caregivers. The long hose can be used to go directly into a toilet. We have an extra which I carry with me when we go out so I can use restrooms without getting up. The long hose can also be set up so that you can use your toilet at home from your wheel chair.
The short hose can be used directly into a traditional female urinal and then emptied. You can even do this while sitting in your lift chair in the raised position, again with an open pad under you as you can have some leakage.
And, there are disposal bags you can use. They did come in handy on my air line flight. We used a blanket to cover me. My hubby reached under the blanket and undid my depends, slipped in the Freshette with a bag attached, removed it again under the cover of a blanket, put in a cloth bag and carried to bathroom to dispose of. This helped me manage a thirteen hour flight to China without having to transfer and struggle with an airline bathroom.
Cons:
This is not a perfect system as if not positioned right when inserting you can get a lot of leakage. And you have to practice removing it also, keeping it tipped up to drain right. But, it has been amazingly helpful to me and the sometimes that it messes up are worth all the times it works wonderfully. I have only rarely tha disposal bags these as they are expensive. One final note. My husband discovered gluing the hose into the pink plastic cups cuts down on some leakage you might get at this point where the pieces join. Since we actually now have three, this is not a problem for us. We keep one short hose and one long hose super glued and the final one interchangeable.
Summary:
A great investment for something you use every day, many times a day. It has really simplified life for me.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Duratilt Tilt-in-Space Shower Chair 2005
Reviewed by: Sherri
Manufacturer/Retailer: Duralife
Cost: Call for price
Reimbursement: Yes
Pros:
This is a rolling commode/shower chair made from PVC. It is also a commode chair. The chair tilts back as you need the reclining feature. Has a comfortable padded seat. Arm swings away for easy transferring. Back of quick drying mesh.
Cons:
It has a foot rest that we took off. Too hard for me to transfer into it. If transfered into it via a lift, wouldn't be a problem.
Summary:
This is for a roll in shower. I would rather take a bath, but this is the easiest way for me to get a full shower. It is safe and I can not fall out.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Savannah Raised Toilet Seat
Reviewed by: Sherri
Manufacturer/Retailer: WisdomKing
Cost: $54.99
Pros:
This clamp on toilet seat is 6" tall. Has an area in front and back for hygiene. Easily put on toilet and off toilet.
Cons:
If not clamped on snugly, will feel like it is tipping. It doesn't though. It is stable. No arms. My feet don't touch the floor.
Summary:
The 6" is very helpful for transferring. The hygiene areas help for cleansing. I am very glad we got it over the plain toilet seats without the hygiene areas.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Toilevator
Reviewed by: Diane
Manufacturer/Retailer: Allegro Medical(Best price)
Cost: $84
Reimbursement: Not filed. Tax deductible.
Pros:
In spite of its funny name, the Toilevator meets a serious need. Low toilets quickly limit the independence of PALS and increase the risk of back injury for CALS. In the past our options were either to use an ugly, hard to clean, and none too stable "booster seat", or to buy a new "high-rise" toilet that is available only in white. The Toilevator provides an inexpensive, sturdy, and attractive alternative. It raises the toilet from underneath, comes with all the parts needed for easy installation, and can be painted to match the bathroom fixtures.
Cons:
None
Summary:
An excellent way to improve accessibility in an existing bathroom. Useful during all stages of ALS.
Comments From Other Users:
John: I have purchased these for both our city and country places and find them excellent.
Pros:
easier to transfer to and from, attractive as it blends in with existing toilet, inexpensive and
sturdy (much preferable to a raised seat).
Cons:
the dog has trouble reaching the toilet now to drink. (I admit I hadn't considered that
possibility).
Diane: We have gone to the ultimate high rise -- we put a Toilevator under a high rise handicapped toilet! This makes a huge difference for my husband's back when lifting me off the toilet. Getting me seated is more difficult because my short legs leave me perched on the front of the seat. He has to scoot me back one hip at a time but still
thinks it is worth it because it is so much easier to lift me up again. My feet still touch the floor -- barely -- and go to sleep if I sit there too long, but for the usual pit stops it is just fine. The extra height doesn't interfere with the ceiling lift I use when I have other caregivers assisting
me.
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