How to Set up a Portable Toilet Area for the Elderly in a Small Space？

When you have an elderly family member with limited mobility, creating a convenient and safe toilet area for them is essential. Small spaces often make this challenging, as you need to balance comfort and privacy. Don't worry; this article offers a detailed guide to help you set up an ideal portable toilet area in a limited space.

Evaluate the Existing Space and the Needs of the Elderly

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Before making a plan, first understand your available space and the specific needs of the elderly to ensure the dignity and comfort of the special needs population using a portable toilet.

Space size and layout: Measure the room where the portable toilet will go. This is usually the bedroom or the area closest to it. Note the length, width, and height. Also, check the location of doors, windows, and furniture.
Senior's mobility: Is the senior fully bedridden, needing help to walk? Or can they walk alone but unsteadily? This will help you decide on the toilet's height, stability, and if handrails or other aids are needed.
Privacy needs: How much privacy do the elderly require when going to the toilet? This will affect your choice of partitions such as screens and curtains.
Frequency of nighttime toileting: If a senior often needs to use the toilet at night, place the portable toilet where it's easy to reach and well-lit. Modiwell portable toilets are great for seniors who go to the bathroom a lot at night. Their design really focuses on making nighttime use convenient.

Choose the Right Type of Portable Toilet for the Elderly in a Small Space

In a small space, choosing a compact, functional and practical portable toilet is key.

Bedside Commode: This is the most common choice and usually comes with armrests and non-slip feet. Some models are height-adjustable to suit different bed heights.
Foldable Portable Toilet: Foldable toilets are ideal if space is extremely small or they need to be stored frequently. They are usually lightweight and easy to store. The Modiwell portable toilet is one of the best. Its folding storage size is only 17″ x 16″ x 11″, and it weighs only 17 pounds. It is light and does not take up space, making it very convenient to store.

Rolling Commode/Shower Chair: If the elderly are very inconvenient to move and need to transfer frequently, a toilet with wheels with brakes will be very useful. Make sure the wheels are flexible enough to turn easily in a small space.
Toilet Seat Riser with Legs: Some products are more like raised toilet seats with legs. They can be placed directly on the existing toilet or used independently. They have a simpler structure and take up less space.

Smart Layout: Maximize Space and Convenience

The art of small space layout is to use every inch of space and ensure a smooth operation process.

Close to the bed: The ideal location is within reach of the head or side of the bed, which is convenient for the elderly to use at night. Make sure there is enough space between the toilet and the bed to facilitate the elderly to get up and transfer. The Modiwell portable toilet is easy to operate and can be easily used by the elderly. Its small folding size also makes it easy to integrate into the bedroom, especially suitable for the elderly who need to go to the toilet frequently at night.
Avoid passages: Portable toilets should not block the main passages in the room to avoid tripping risks.
Utilize corners: Placing a portable toilet in the corner of the room can effectively utilize neglected space while providing a certain degree of concealment.
Consider the direction of the door opening: Make sure the placement of the portable toilet does not hinder the normal opening of the door or drawer.
Reserve turning space: Even in a small space, make sure that the elderly or caregivers have enough space to stand, turn around and assist. Generally speaking, there should be at least 60-70 cm of space in front and on both sides of the toilet.

Enhance Privacy and Comfort

Even if the space is not large, you can improve the privacy and comfort of the toilet experience through some small tricks.

Screens or curtains: This is the simplest and most effective privacy solution. Choose a lightweight, foldable screen, or install a track curtain that can be pulled up when needed and folded away at other times.
Reasonable lighting: Make sure the toilet area is well lit, especially at night, and install a sensor night light to prevent the elderly from falling in the dark. Soft warm-toned lighting can also increase comfort.
Ventilation: It is very important to keep the toilet area ventilated. Modiwell portable toilet adopts an automatic waste sealing design to eliminate odor problems at the source. There is no loud noise during use, and there will only be a beeping prompt sound after the sealing is completed, providing a quiet and comfortable toilet environment for the elderly.
Auxiliary supplies are within reach: Make sure toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizer and other supplies are within the reach of the elderly. It is best to fix them to the wall or place them on a small cart to prevent them from falling.
Anti-slip mats: Place anti-slip mats under and around the portable toilet to prevent slipping.

Safety and Hygiene: Details That Cannot Be Ignored

In small spaces, pay more attention to safety hazards and hygiene management.

Fixedness: Make sure the portable toilet is placed firmly and does not wobble. Modiwell portable toilets can be paired with a dedicated toilet safety rack, which can be fixed and installed firmly and safely, greatly improving the safety of use.
Non-slip handrails: Most portable toilets come with handrails. If your toilet does not, you can consider adding removable auxiliary handrails.
Regular cleaning: Traditional portable toilets are often a headache to clean, but Modiwell portable toilets are very easy to clean and handle. You only need to discard the sealed garbage bag. This automatic waste sealing function is not only very hygienic, but also reduces the risk of bacterial infection.
Waste disposal: Use a covered trash can and empty it promptly to control odor and bacterial growth.
Emergency call device: Place an easily accessible emergency call near the portable toilet, just in case.

Useful tips:

Multifunctional furniture: Think about using small furniture that has storage. This can hold items and also act as a privacy screen.
Wall use: Put up shelves or hooks on the wall. This lets you use vertical space for things like cleaning supplies or personal items.
Mirrored or light-colored decor: Light colors and mirrors can make a small area look bigger. They help the space feel less cramped.

Setting up a portable toilet area for seniors in a small space means thinking about how well it works, how easy it is to use, how comfortable it is, and how safe it is. A product like the Modiwell portable toilet for the elderly makes this process much easier and safer. It has automatic sealing, is simple to operate, has no odor, and is easy to clean. It's also foldable and works with a safety rack. This helps create a practical and caring toilet space at home. Seniors can keep their dignity and independence.