Aging can take a toll on your mobility. It can make it difficult for you to maintain independence in your daily activities.
Modifying your toilet seat can give you the independence you need to do your private business, PLUS the added benefit of keeping your restroom less accident-prone!
Let me take you through the 6 best tall toilets that will make it easier for you to get up and sit down.
6 Best Taller Toilets for the Elderly (Extra Tall, Higher Height)
The right toilet for you will depend on your ability to get up and sit down easily. You can change your entire toilet or put in support accessories.
Let’s look at some of these tall toilets and accessories below.
Note: Height measurements are from the floor up to the toilet seat.
1. Convenient Height 20-inch Extra Tall Toilet
Convenient Height Company Massachusetts manufactures the Convenient Height Toilet, which many consider the tallest toilet on the market.
It features a 20-inch bowl height that is higher than most toilets. The compact elongated bowl of this extra tall toilet balances out its height in terms of space consumption.
Its flushing systems contain dual-flushing technology that will allow you to choose between a partial flush or a full flush. Its dual flush valve helps reduce your water consumption.
An added safety highlight of this immovable toilet is its slow-closing seat. With a slow-close seat, I’ve found that you avoid loud slamming sounds and keep your hand from pinching between the toilet and toilet seat!
Features:
- Height: 20 inches
- ADA Compliance: More than standard
- Shape: Elongated toilet
- Flushing System: Gravity-based, Dual-flush: 0.9 GPF / 1.28 GPF
- Support Arms: None
- Installation Type: Floor Mounted
- Toilet Type: Two-Piece
2. Kohler K-3999-0 Highline Comfort Height Toilet
The Kohler Highline Comfort Height Elongated toilet bowl is an ADA-compliant toilet with a height measured EXACTLY to the ADA’s standards.
This tall toilet has a seat height similar to that of a regular chair. This standard height allows it to accommodate people of varying heights and ages. I found it just right for my needs.
The elongated bowl of this compact toilet ensures that you will have a comfortable seating area despite its height.
The flushing mechanism of this tall toilet is highly exceptional. Kohler’s canister flush valve will give you the best bowl cleanliness. I’ve seen it flush toilet paper and waste residue effortlessly without using too much water!
This entire toilet replacement showcases easy installation using 3 pre-installed tank bolts. I recommend using a 45-degree double wye fitting for back-to-back installations.
Features:
- Height: 17 to 19 inches
- ADA Compliance: Yes
- Shape: Elongated
- Flushing System: Class Five Flushing Technology
- Support Arms: None
- Installation Type: Floor Mounted
- Toilet Type: Two-Piece
3. Bemis 7YE85310ARM Raised Toilet Seat
The Bemis Elevated Seat is an external attachment that gives a 3-inch increase to your round or elongated toilet seats.
Unlike the comfort height toilets I featured above, this product is designed to give your existing toilet added seat height. You DON’T have to replace your entire toilet with this product!
You can choose between round or elongated models depending on the shape of your existing toilet bowls.
Bemis assures that this attachment will not wiggle or loosen with its patented Snap 2 Secure system and self-sustaining hinges. I’ve found that to be the case.
Its hinges and innovative reverse funnel design will ensure the containment of waste in the toilet bowls. It offers contact prevention and an added hygienic feature.
It highlights a well-measured arm width to add to its cleanliness features and user support.
Features:
- Height: Adds 3 inches
- ADA Compliance: Yes
- Shape: Round or Elongated
- Flushing System: N/A
- Support Arms: Yes, Fixed
- Installation Type: Toilet Attachment
- Secured by: Snap 2 Secure System
4. RMS Raised Toilet Seat
The RMS Raised Toilet Seat can add 5 inches to your standard toilet seat height.
It is lightweight, portable, and can attach to BOTH elongated and round toilets. It attaches securely to most toilets with a simple adjusting knob!
Its adjustable support arms accommodate different body types and range from 18.5 to 21.5 inches wide. They are padded with soft foam for comfort and stability.
I’ve found them comfortable and easy to use. If they don’t tickle your fancy, you can also choose to remove the support arms completely for more portability.
This handy elevated seat is best for traveling elders who wish to bring toilet support and assistance wherever they go.
Features:
- Height: Adds 5 inches
- ADA Compliance: More than standard
- Shape: Fits both round and elongated
- Flushing System: N/A
- Support Arms: Yes, Adjustable and Removable
- Installation Type: Portable
- Secured by: Adjustable Knob
5. OasisSpace Stand Alone Raised Toilet Seat
The OasisSpace Stand Alone Raised Toilet Seat is one of the MOST STABLE comfort height toilets.
Its free-standing stability frame offers extra safety through its support features. It is made of aluminum, ensuring that the product’s wear and tear will not result in corrosion.
This stable support is easy to assemble and easy to disassemble for cleaning. Despite this, it didn’t wiggle out of place, no matter how much I tried to get it to budge.
Its support arms are padded with soft textured rubber for a comfortable grip when you sit down and get up.
The adjustable leg frames of this commode chair can accommodate different heights. They are also protected with non-slip rubber for added security.
Its round toilet bowl has a universal fit compatible with BOTH round and elongated toilets. It’ll work on any toilet you use.
Features:
- Height: 20.5 to 27.5 inches
- ADA Compliance: More than standard
- Shape: Fits both round and elongated
- Flushing System: N/A
- Support Arms: Yes, Adjustable
- Installation Type: Portable
- Secured by: Commode Chair
6. Vive Toilet Seat Riser with Handles
The Vive Toilet Seat Riser is an elevated seat that can give an additional 3.5-inches of height to standard toilet seats. You can choose between the different sizing options for round and elongated toilets.
It features a tool-free installation as it easily attaches to the screws and washers. I managed to install it without any tools. Slip-resistant strips make it extra safe and secure.
It has a comfortable support handle padded with soft non-slip foam. The handles have a fixed width of 19 inches, but they can be removed if you wish.
Features:
- Height: Adds 3.5 inches
- ADA Compliance: Yes
- Shape: Round or Elongated
- Flushing System: N/A
- Support Arms: Yes, Fixed-Width, Removable
- Installation Type: Portable
- Secured by: Slip-Resistant Strips
Why Get a Taller Toilet?
Tall toilets allow for better mobility. A convenient-height toilet should make sitting and standing easier for older folks.
Finding the RIGHT toilet height will lessen the pressure and work that your legs and knees exert. It should help you lessen your effort when you squat down and rise.
An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant toilet is highly advantageous to tall people, the elderly, and those with knee or back issues. They sure help me, a normal-sized toilet user.
Adding a step stool with your comfort height toilet is best for a more natural body position.
Factors to Consider for the Best Tall Toilet for the Elderly
Here are the main factors I’d consider when choosing to give your regular toilet an upgrade.
#1 Toilet Bowl Height
Taller toilets have a greater height than standard toilets. Most are 2 to 4 inches higher than a regular toilet.
A high toilet seat should lessen the pressure on your legs and knees whenever you sit down and rise.
However, your toilet bowl height should NOT be too high. Make sure you can still sit in a squatting position to support bowel movements.
Your toilet height should still match your height. It defeats the purpose of comfort height toilets if the extra height only gives discomfort.
If that’s the case, you might want to check out toilet rails instead. I’ve found them helpful when you don’t want to stop using your regular-height toilets.
#2 Easy Installation
If you need an entirely new toilet, you must schedule a plumber to handle its installation. The need for expert assistance will cost you more time and expenses.
If you are not willing to go through setting a plumbing schedule, I recommend getting a toilet seat riser or a toilet rail instead. They typically feature easier installation, which your relatives or caretakers can handle.
#3 Bowl Shape
Toilets usually come in two bowl shapes: a round bowl and an elongated bowl.
You can determine your toilet bowl shape by measuring its seat mounting bolts to the front of the bowl.
The measurement for round bowls is around 16.5 inches. A round bowl is circular and more common in old bathrooms because they require LESS space.
The measurement of elongated bowls is about 18.5 inches. An elongated bowl is oval. It is more comfortable but requires MORE space.
#4 Flushing Systems
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 limits the water per flush for every toilet to 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF). Some states, like California and Texas, are stricter, with a 1.28 GPF.
It is ideal to have a toilet GDF of 0.9. You can get this by looking for Water-Sense certification, which indicates low water consumption and higher performance.
Tall toilets with less water consumption in their flushing mechanism usually have a higher price point.
I recommend choosing these environment-friendly toilets if your resources allow you to. They are more cost-effective in the long run as they allow you to save water in EVERY flush.
Gravity-Feed Toilets
Gravity-feed toilets are common in many American homes. Water moves from the toilet tank to the bowl. It uses the force of gravity to push waste down the drain.
They are more affordable, effective, and repairable. However, they tend to use more water and clog more.
There are gravity-feed toilets that showcase dual-flush technology. One flushing option is for solid waste, while the other is for liquid waste.
The difference between the flushing options is the amount of water used. Flushing liquid waste will use less water.
You will know if your toilet is equipped with this technology if it has a two-position flush handle or a two-button flush on top of its tank. I recommend these over single flush toilets.
Pressure-Assisted Toilets
Pressure-assisted toilets highlight a special tank with water and pressurized air inside the toilet tank. The pressurized air forces the water into the toilet bowl with every flush.
Its flushing power comes from the pressurized air, which allows this system to use less water and prevent clogging. With this mechanism, I guarantee you can eliminate all the toilet paper residue in your bowl.
Its disadvantages include its loud flushing sound and higher pricing. Pressure-assisted toilets are also more difficult to repair and have a minimum water pressure requirement of 25 pounds per square inch.
Vacuum-Assisted Toilets
This is the most advanced flushing system.
A vacuum tank is connected to the tank supply tube. This tube connects to the toilet bowl. The bowl fills up with water fast as it pulls air out of the trap in every flush.
Waste is cleared out together with the pulled-out air.
#5 Price
Buying a toilet replacement can be expensive. You can spend tens to hundreds of dollars only to upgrade the height of your toilet!
I advise you to decide well on what you want in a toilet and if you need a replacement in the first place.
Aside from the price of your new toilet, you may have to spend on delivery and transport fees, plumbing services, and increased water consumption in the longer term.
#6 Style and Design
A toilet unit can be built either as a one-piece toilet or a two-piece toilet:
One-Piece Toilets
The tank and bowl are built as one single unit in a one-piece toilet.
It takes less space and features ease of installation. You will not have to do any assembly for its installation!
A one-piece toilet is easier to clean because it has fewer splits and slits.
The downside is its higher price point.
Most of the toilets in this category are also less versatile. The ridge featured in some units does not allow additional accessories to be attached.
You cannot add accessories like a toilet lid or a toilet seat riser to a one-piece toilet with a ridge between the seat and the tank.
Two-Piece Toilets
The tank is built separately from the bowl in a two-piece toilet.
It is a more common and less expensive unit. It allows easier transport from one place to another since the separate units weigh lighter than if they were built as one.
It is easier and less expensive to repair a two-piece unit because the tank and the bowl are independent.
However, it is more common to have leaks with a two-piece unit. Its crevices also result in more difficult cleaning.
Wall-hung toilets are examples of two-piece toilets. The bowl is attached to the bathroom wall, with its tank hidden behind it.
You can choose to mount this type of toilet at different heights, which will save you so much floor space in front of the bowl.
Wall-hung toilets are typically priced higher because of their special carrier system. However, I’d recommend them if you’re looking to save space and are concerned about the presentation of your bathroom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the topic!
Having been interested in how toilets work for seniors, this article section can prove useful to you as it was useful to me!
What Is the Best Toilet Height for Seniors?
The best toilet height is 17 to 19 inches from the floor to the seat for seniors.
The average toilet has a seat height of 15 to 16 inches. The Americans with Disabilities Act states that comfort-height toilets for the elderly and disabled should be 17 to 19 inches.
ADA toilets are supposed to lessen the pressure on the legs and the knees of the elderly. Making their toilet taller should make it easier for them to rise and sit down.
What Is the Highest Height for a Toilet?
The highest height for a toilet is 21 inches from the floor to the toilet seat.
The tallest toilet manufactured is 21 inches high as of the moment. This toilet is the Bradenton from Signature Hardware.
Should All the Standard Toilets of the Elderly Be Converted to Have a High Toilet Seat?
No, not all elderly toilets should be converted to higher toilet seats.
I don’t recommend comfort height toilets for seniors with bowel problems. A taller toilet can worsen constipation when the body is NOT in a squat position with your hips slightly lower than your knees.
The chair height of the tallest toilet is also not for shorter seniors. Your legs may feel numb and experience the pins and needles sensation, and your calves and thighs may feel sore when your feet dangle.
If that’s the case, I recommend having a step stool nearby or getting commode chairs instead.
Is a Round Toilet Better Than an Elongated Toilet?
It depends on your space and preference.
Round toilets take up less space. They are the better choice if you have a walker or wheelchair to fit in your bathroom too.
On the other hand, elongated toilets offer more comfort because they have a larger sitting surface. However, they also take up more space.
Is a One-Piece Toilet Better Than a Two-Piece Toilet?
It also depends on your space and preference.
One-piece toilets take up less space. They last longer and are easier to clean. They can, however, be more expensive, heavy, and fixed to a certain spot.
Two-piece toilets are more affordable, easier to set up, and more versatile. A damaged part will not force you to replace the rest of the toilet. Its disadvantages include its longer installation and lower durability.
What Other Toilet Alternatives and Accessories Can I Use?
Instead of remodeling your toilet, you can look into toilet support alternatives and accessories, such as:
- Toilet Rail – This device will provide you with added support and stability.
- Bidet – You can use this to help you clean up easier when mobility is an issue.
- Bedside Commode Chair – This is best for temporary immobility, like after surgery.
Conclusion
Converting your toilet seat to a higher height can be LIFE-CHANGING, especially when you have poorer mobility.
It can help you move more easily without having to cause discomfort and possible pain in your legs and knees. Its stability and support can also help you prevent accidents!
However, consider your sitting position and height carefully before buying a taller toilet.
