When a patient in the home is chronically bedridden, caregivers often face many daily care challenges. One of the most practical and pressing issues is: how can a bedridden patient safely, cleanly, and with dignity use the toilet?
Many families and caregivers are unsure how to choose the right tools or how portable toilet chairs can help patients with their bodily functions.
To make care easier and allow patients to enjoy greater dignity and comfort, this article will systematically explain, from a professional perspective, common methods for bedridden patients to use the toilet, the function of portable toilet chairs, and their usage.
When Do Bedridden Patients Need Toilet Assistance?
Before understanding how to help bedridden patients use the toilet, it's essential to understand why assistive devices such as portable toilet chairs are needed. Bedridden patients typically experience the following due to illness, surgery, fractures, paralysis, or weakness:
• Inability to stand or walk independently
• Requires assistance to move
• Insufficient lower limb strength for using a regular toilet
• Inability to move frequently to avoid worsening their condition
• Prolonged bed rest leads to decreased bowel and bladder control.
In these situations, allowing patients to walk to the toilet independently is not only impractical but also carries risks of falls, fractures, and worsening pressure sores. Therefore, the appropriate use of assistive devices such as portable toilet chairs, nursing beds, and waterproof mattresses is crucial for ensuring patient safety and dignity.
How can bedridden patients safely use the toilet?
Can bedridden patients completely avoid getting out of bed to defecate?
Many family members ask:
👉"Can bedridden patients only use urinals and bedpans?"
👉"Will keeping the patient in bed at all affect their recovery?"
From a nursing perspective, while it's possible to manage urination and defecation using urinals and bedpans without getting out of bed, this method has significant drawbacks:
• It easily wets the bed, increasing cleaning difficulty.
• Prolonged supine defecation can cause discomfort and even feelings of shame for the patient.
• It increases the risk of urinary tract infections and skin infections.
• Bedpans often cause back discomfort.
• It's extremely inconvenient for patients who need to defecate.
Therefore, as long as the patient's physical condition allows, caregivers should allow the patient to use a portable toilet chair, even just at the bedside, which can significantly improve the defecation experience.
Conclusion:
Although it's possible to defecate without getting out of bed, for comfort, hygiene, and dignity, patients should use a portable toilet chair whenever possible, rather than relying solely on urinals or bedpans.
What is a portable toilet chair? Why must bedridden patients use it?
A portable toilet chair (also called a bedside toilet chair or commode chair) is a toilet assistance device specifically designed for people with limited mobility. It typically features:
• Movable design: Equipped with casters, it can be pushed to the bedside.
• Toilet function: An opening in the center of the seat for use with a bedpan.
• Support structure: Armrests and backrest design for patient safety.
• Can be used with a nursing bed.
• Some models can also be used as a simple shower chair.
For bedridden patients or those with limited mobility, portable commode chairs offer the following advantages:
✔ More hygienic
Patients can defecate while sitting, with waste going directly into the bedpan, preventing bed soiling.
✔ More dignified
Sitting while using the toilet is more ergonomic and less psychologically stressful than using a bedpan or urinal.
✔ Reduced risk of infection
Reduces skin contact time with waste, lowering the risk of urinary tract infections and skin damage.
✔ Easier for caregivers
Caregivers can assist patients into sitting on the portable toilet chair, making it easier than handling bedpan urination.
✔ Compatible with the bed
Place the portable toilet chair close to the bed, allowing the patient to move with minimal effort.
Therefore, whether at home or in a hospital, the portable toilet chair is the most common and effective urination assistance tool for bedridden patients.
How can a bedridden patient be safely moved to the portable toilet chair?
This is one of the most pressing concerns for caregivers:
👉“The patient has no strength at all, how can they sit on the portable commode chair?”
Below is the standard operating procedure (applicable to most home care situations):
1. Push the portable commode chair next to the bed
• Lock the casters.
• Adjust the height to be level with the edge of the bed.
• Ensure the bedpan is securely installed.
A significant height difference will make it difficult for the patient to move.
2. Assist the patient to turn to the edge of the bed
• Support the patient's shoulders and back
• Slowly turn the patient over
• Move the legs towards the edge of the bed
• Have the patient sit on the edge of the bed
3. Move slightly to the toilet chair
If the patient can sit but not stand:
• The caregiver supports the patient's lower back with one hand and under the armpits with the other
• Let the patient "slide" into the toilet chair seat
If the patient has some standing ability:
• Have the patient hold onto the bed rail or armrests
• Gently stand up
• Turn and sit in the portable commode chair
4. Adjust the sitting position
• Ensure the patient is seated steadily
• If there is a backrest, gently lean back
• In cold weather, cover the patient with a blanket to keep them warm
5. Clean up after urination/defecation
• Push the portable toilet chair away from the bed
• Remove the bedpan and empty it into the toilet
• Clean, disinfect, and put it back
This process should be done patiently and steadily to ensure the patient's safety.
Can a portable toilet chair be used in conjunction with a nursing bed?
The answer is: Yes, and it's highly recommended!
Using it in conjunction with a nursing bed can significantly reduce the burden on both patients and caregivers.
Advantages of a nursing bed include:
• Height adjustable
• Adjustable backrest angle
• Mobility
• Alignment with the toilet chair height
Using a nursing bed and a portable toilet chair allows patients to:
• Sit up more easily
• Travel less distance
• Reduce back strain
• Avoid slipping due to weakness
Many hospitals use a combination of nursing beds and portable commode chairs to provide a safe and effective way for bedridden patients to relieve themselves.
What if the patient is completely unable to move?
Some patients are indeed unable to sit up or move around. In this case, the following methods can be used:
1. Bedpan
Suitable for patients who cannot sit up but can turn over slightly.
2. Urinal
Primarily for male urination; women can also use a dedicated urinal.
3. Waterproof Bedpan
To prevent soiling the bed, usually used in conjunction with a bedpan.
4. Portable Toilet Chair (some models)
Some portable toilet chairs have detachable armrests, allowing caregivers to assist the patient with short-distance movement directly beside the bed.
However, if the patient is completely unable to sit up or turn over, assistance from medical staff or a specialized care plan is required. In general home care, it is still advisable to help the patient maintain a sitting position for defecation as much as possible, as it is more hygienic and comfortable.
What types of portable toilet chairs are available? How to choose one for a bedridden patient?
To meet different care needs, portable toilet chairs come in various designs. Depending on the condition of bedridden patients, the following types should be given priority:
1. Fixed Portable Toilet Chair
• Stable and sturdy
• Mostly used for patients who can sit up but cannot enter the toilet
• Can be used simply by placing it beside the bed
2. Wheeled Portable Toilet Chair
• Can be pushed
• Can be pushed from the bedside to the toilet
• Convenient for caregivers to clean
3. Foldable Portable Toilet Chair
• Suitable for homes with limited space
• Easy to store and carry
4. Shower/Toilet Combination Chair
• Waterproof material
• Can be used in the shower
• Suitable for long-term bedridden patients
5. Height-Adjustable Portable Toilet Chair
• Can be finely adjusted according to the height of the hospital bed, making movement smoother.
Key Point: Bedridden patients are generally more suitable for wheeled and height-adjustable portable commode chairs because they are the easiest to move and safest.
Do portable toilet chairs need to be disinfected daily?
How to clean them for better hygiene? Portable toilet chairs involve frequent contact with excrement and therefore require constant cleanliness. Care recommendations are as follows:
• Empty the chamber pot after each use.
• Rinse the potty with warm water and detergent.
• Wipe the seat and armrests daily with disinfectant.
• Deep clean weekly.
• Avoid prolonged water accumulation and odor buildup.
Can portable toilet chairs be used in hospitals? Are they provided in hospital beds?
The answer is yes.
Many hospitals, especially rehabilitation departments, internal medicine departments, long-term care wards, and post-operative recovery areas, provide portable commode chairs for patients with limited mobility. Portable commode chairs are also placed beside the beds of some critically ill patients for clinical care.
Portable commode chairs used in hospitals are often more stable, easier to disinfect, and safer.
Are portable commode chairs suitable for elderly people who are bedridden for extended periods?
Ideally suited, especially for:
• Stroke-stricken elderly with hemiplegia
• Frail and elderly individuals
• Post-operative rehabilitation elderly
• Disabled or semi-disabled elderly
Portable commode chairs help them maintain dignity, regular bowel movements, and reduce the burden of care.
How should bedridden patients use the toilet?
The core answer is quite clear:
✔ Highly Recommended – Use a Portable Toilet Chair
With a portable toilet chair, patients can:
• Defecate in a more natural sitting position
• Be more hygienic and comfortable
• Reduce the risk of infection
• Enhance their dignity
• Significantly reduce the difficulty of care
✔ Nursing bed + Portable toilet chair = Best combination
If family circumstances permit, it is recommended to have an adjustable nursing bed to make patient movement safer and easier.
✔ Avoid complete bed rest for defecation
Use a bedpan or urinal only when mobility is impossible.
Does Dahao Medical offer any discounts for bulk purchases?
Yes, Dahao Medical offers discounts for bulk purchases. The more products you order, the more significant the discount you can receive. We provide competitive pricing and can offer special rates based on the quantity of your order, product type, and shipping destination. Whether you are purchasing Electric Wheelchairs, Hospital Care Beds, or custom solutions, our team is happy to provide a customized quote that reflects the best pricing for your needs.
