Is There an Easy Way to go to the Bathroom in a Wheelchair?

When you are unable to stand on your own, there are many things that can be a challenge, from bathing, to traveling, to cooking a meal. Many of these tasks you may be able to make due without or find someone to assist you, for the most part. But the most basic of all needs simply can’t be avoided, and you must find a way to take care of business, so to speak, on your own. Finding a way to go to the bathroom when in a wheelchair is no easy feat, but by taking the below tips into account, you will be better prepared when the time comes.

First of all, whenever possible, find a wheelchair accessible bathroom. The added room to maneuver is essential for being able to handle the issue at hand as quickly and easily as possible. In some instances, such as when on an airplane, an accessible bathroom isn’t an option. Many wheelchair users recommend using the restroom immediately before boarding a flight or in any other situation when you know a wheelchair accessible bathroom will not be available in the hopes that using these restrooms won’t be necessary.

Many people find that it’s much easier to do their dressing and undressing in their chair versus on the toilet. Pull everything down to the knee in your chair, transfer to the toilet, transfer back to your chair, then pull your pants up once back in your chair. This will give you more leverage and make things much easier. Not only that, you are doing the majority of the work in a more sanitary space.

Another often recommended tip is to forgo wearing underwear. It can be especially difficult to get underwear back on, let alone in place, so leaving it out of the process completely is often a good solution. Your work will be cut in half, and no one will be the wiser.

It’s also a good idea to wear pants without zippers or buttons. Not only are pants made in this way often looser and easier to slide up, but you won’t have to worry about the pants being in the exact right place in order for them to fit correctly. Yoga pants for women or athletic pants for men are good solutions for every day wear.

Although it may be a challenge, using the restroom while in a wheelchair doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. The suggestions above will help your inevitable trips to the bathroom go much more smoothly.