Improving the life of a person with a physical disability requires various home adjustments. From the right handicap devices for the bathroom to a wheelchair stair climber, you will have to consider a variety of items in order to make it easier for the disabled person to move around and accomplish ordinary tasks.

If you’ve reached the toilet readjustment part and you don’t know where to start or how much it costs to customize your bathroom to meet such needs, you’ve come to the right place as we’ve highlighted below a few things to help you get started.

Handicap toilet types

The market now offers many different types of handicap toilets. Many of them are regular toilets that come with a few tweaks to make it easier for people with reduced mobility to use them. You will thus find 2-piece toilets that include a water tank and a toilet bowl that is supported by a floor-mounted pedestal.

While this is a convenient model, it might make it difficult for people using a walker or even a wheelchair to move around if the bathroom is small. Just like this type, the 1-piece toilet may require a lot of floor space and thus has the same disadvantage as the previously described model.

The market also offers comfort height toilets designed to help people with various disabilities. Since such a toilet is taller than average toilets, it will make it easier for a wheelchair user to employ it. However, it still may not be the ideal choice in some cases of disability.

Back-to-wall toilets are appreciated by many people with disabilities as they leave more floor space free since the water tank is concealed inside the wall. People using a wheelchair or a walker may thus find such a toilet convenient as they will be able to move around the bathroom with greater ease.

Off-the-floor toilets are also a great option for wheelchair users as they will allow height control when the unit is installed. Therefore, you can install at the height that feels most comfortable. Moreover, the footrests of a wheelchair can pass underneath the toilet bowl.

Although more expensive, motorized adjustable height toilets are ideal for people with various disabilities. It takes only the push of a button to adjust the height of the toilet. Such models will make things much easier for people who cannot stand up independently.  

 

What to consider when choosing a handicap toilet

In order to select the right toilet and thus know how much it costs, you need to pay attention to various factors before buying. Consider the floor space you have at disposal and how much room you need to move around easily while using a walker or a wheelchair.

The smaller the toilet, the better. Back-to-wall and wall-mounted toilets with a compact-sized bowl will require less space.

The weight capacity of a handicap toilet is also an important factor to take into account if you’re interested in a toilet for people with bariatric needs. Most floor-mounted toilets can accommodate 400-500 lbs of vertical force. Sure, there are models that offer a greater weight capacity but such systems usually take more space and bigger bucks.

The height of a toilet gains even greater importance when it comes to people with disabilities. Therefore, make sure you pay attention to that feature as well. This is where your particular needs will help you decide what toilet to buy.

If you have a wheelchair user living in your household, the toilet should be high or low enough to make it easy for the person using it to slide sideways from the wheelchair to the toilet. Plus, don’t forget about the toilet flushers. You will find various types of flush controls and choosing the right one depends on the disability of the person using it.

In case the mobility of the user is limited, it might be easier to go for a toilet that comes with an automatic touchless flusher that is operated via sensors or a flusher that you can control via a pedal that is located at the base of the bowl.

As we’ve said before, an off-the-floor toilet will provide you with extra space for the footrests of a wheelchair. Keep that in mind as well if there’s a wheelchair user in your house. Also, you might want to go for a bidet-toilet. Such units prove to be a great choice for people with various disabilities or for those suffering from incontinence or hemorrhoids.

The dimensions of a toilet should receive even greater attention if you want to use a free-standing handicap aid such as toilet safety rails. They require a certain toilet width to accommodate it properly.

Average cost

Getting a bathroom equipped with systems and accessories that are handicap-friendly may cost a bit more than a usual bathroom yet it depends on the type of disability involved. Floor-mounted toilets can be purchased for $200-$500, depending on the materials used and the features included.

Wall-hung toilets are usually available for $1,500-$2,000, installation included in most cases. They are more expensive because installing them is a bit more difficult since there are several parts included and the existing walls might need to be reinforced. Therefore, to know the final costs, you need to consider the modifications required for proper installation.

If you’re thinking of getting a bidet-toilet yet your budget is limited, you might want to consider buying just a bidet-style toilet seat. It will cost you less and spare you the trouble of installing a whole new toilet with bidet features.

Also, if you can’t afford to buy a new taller toilet yet you’d need one to accommodate a disabled person, you can simply buy a raised toilet seat. Such items usually cost around $25, therefore, they are way more affordable than getting your toilet system reinstalled or getting a new one altogether.