Protecting Caregivers: Using Power Toilet Lifts for Home Care Injury Prevention
04/17/2024
In surveys conducted by the CDC, roughly 1 in 5 adults reported regularly caring for a friend or family member.1 It is likely this number will continue to grow as the US population shifts older, creating a greater demand for caregivers. The Population Reference Bureau reports that “the number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050 (a 47% increase).”2 While professional caregivers and care facilities will undoubtedly shoulder some of the increased burden, friends and family will too.
Non-professional caregiving is no easy task. The physical and mental demands of caregiving are great, and caregivers often suffer injuries and general diminished health. These negative health impacts, in turn, diminish the caregivers’ ability to care for not only themselves, but also those who depend on them. When asked about the impact of their own health challenges, “over half (53%) of caregivers indicated that a decline in their health compromises their ability to provide care.”1
Some caregiving responsibilities are more physically demanding than others. One of the most difficult, especially for caregivers who have not received any formal training, is assisting with toilet use. Toilet transfers are commonly associated with injury, with one study finding that “the highest risk factors for (musculoskeletal disorders) MSD were transfer of toilet and wheelchair.”3
To prevent toilet transfer-related injuries for the caregiver and recipient, an assistive device should be considered. There are many options currently available, but the one that provides the most support to minimize caregiver strain is called a “power toilet lift”.
Why Are Toilet Transfers So Challenging?
Lifting someone onto/off of a toilet takes significant strength. Assisting a person who has minimal to no lower body strength is more challenging than assisting someone who is moderately mobile, as the caregiver must use their own strength to provide full support throughout the lifting process.
To add to an already challenging lifting process for at-home caregivers, standard toilets are low and bathroom spaces are often small, increasing the distance the caregiver must travel while working within a cramped space. It is no surprise then that caregivers performing such transfers suffer musculoskeletal injuries so often, especially when this motion must be repeated several times per day, every day.
How Can a Power Toilet Lift Help
A power toilet lift (sometimes also referred to as a “toilet seat lift” or “toilet seat lifter”), which is an assistive device that gently lowers and raises users down to/up from the toilet, is a tool that was once used primarily in healthcare environments but is now widely available for home use. Not everyone needs the level of support a power toilet lift provides - plastic toilet risers and grab bars may be an adequate choice for someone requiring minimal assistance using the toilet. For individuals needing moderate to full support, however, a power toilet lift is often the better choice.
Compared to cheap plastic risers and over-the-toilet grab bars, power toilet lifts cost more, but they also provide a greater degree of support and with that, peace of mind. A power toilet lift is the only toileting aid that provides complete support during the sitting and standing process. By raising from a sitting position to a standing position, these lifts minimize the strain a caregiver experiences when performing toilet transfers and can help prevent injuries to both caregiver and recipient.
LiftSeat, a leading US-based power toilet lift manufacturer, also offers a power toilet lift with a bidet option for hands-free cleaning. With the bidet, many individuals who once relied on caregivers for assistance in the bathroom are once again able to use the bathroom independently. In addition to the bidet, LiftSeat also offers a range of other customization options, including:
- Locking wheels and commode bucket for bedside use conversion
- Retractable handlebar for easy side-transfers
- Multiple seat angles for individualized comfort
- Hand pendant for single-handed operation
How to Decide if a Power Toilet Lift is Right for You
Anyone needing significant assistance getting up and down from the toilet should consider a power toilet lift. Many people wait too long to get a toilet lift, putting caregivers and recipients at greater risk of injury. Staci M, a LiftSeat customer with GNE myopathy shared, “I recently received my LiftSeat. It is a life changer for me! ... Now, with the LiftSeat I can be totally independent. I should have made the purchase months ago!”
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about LiftSeat Power Toilet Lifts, you can read more and chat with a specialist here to find out which one would work best for your situation.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, August 7). Caregiving for Family and Friends - A Public Health Issue. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/caregiving/caregiver-brief.html
2. Mather, M., & Scommegna, P. (2024, January 9). Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States. PRB. https://www.prb.org/resources/fact-sheet-aging-in-the-united-states/
3. Hsieh, P. L., Lee, Y. C., Yang, S. Y., Lin, Y. L., & Huang, Y. R. (2022). Association between work content and musculoskeletal disorders among home caregivers: a cross-section study. Industrial health, 60(6), 514–524. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.2021-0160
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.