Best Raised Toilet Seats for Seniors
Lowering and rising from a standard toilet seat can pose real challenges as we age. It can put significant strain on the knees and hips, especially for seniors with limited mobility. If the seat is too low or there is nothing to hold onto, the risk of a dangerous fall increases significantly.
There are a few ways to help seniors navigate the toilet area safely. Some options are: raised seats with frames and bars, thick replacement seats, seats with grip bars that fit over and attach to the toilet seat.
For my mother, an over the toilet seat with a frame and bars was the perfect safety upgrade. The height was adjustable, so we set it to the perfect height for her. The bars on the frame were very sturdy and they helped significantly with her balance issues, and they gave her added strength to lower and rise from the seat. The one we used was the Drive Medical Bedside Commode or Over the Toilet Seat.
Using a raised toilet seat is one of the simplest and most affordable upgrades you can make to improve bathroom safety.
Top Picks for raised toilet seat options:
- Best Overall Option→ Vive Raised Toilet Seat Riser with Handles for Seniors
- Best for Stability → Carex E-Z Lock Raised Toilet Seat With Handles
- Best Over the Seat Frame-Style (with Bedside Option) → Drive Medical Bedside Commode or Over the Toilet Seat
- Best Premium/Comfort Option → KOHLER Hyten 3″ Height Elevated Toilet Seat
👉 Compare raised toilet seats on Amazon
I realized my mother needed a raised seat when she started using the toilet paper holder to help pull herself up, which was clearly not a good option! She also lacked the muscle strength to lower down slowly and she was almost falling onto the seat.
I debated adding a grab bar above the toilet paper holder, which can be a great solution for some spaces, but she needed a bar on both sides and there was a glass door on one side of the toilet, so I couldn’t safely add a bar. I ended up getting an over the toilet seat frame with bars and it worked wonderfully for her.
Depending on the senior’s bathroom configuration, their weight, height and strength, other options might be a better fit. For example, for someone who is tall, a seat riser that is 5 inches tall with arms might be the best solution since they would need to height to make it easier to sit and rise.
In this guide, I’ll walk through some of the best raised toilet seat options for bathroom safety and what to look for when choosing one.
What to Look for in Raised Toilet Seats
- Height
- Handles
- Weight capacity
- Fit — elongated vs standard toilet
- Installation
- Ease of cleaning
Best Raised Toilet Seats for Seniors
Vive Raised Toilet Seat Riser with Handles (Best Overall Option)
The Vive seat elevates the seat 3.5″ and it has non-slip foam grip bars on each side to help seniors with balance or strength issues. The handles are removable for those who prefer not to use them.
This riser seat can be used as the seat itself, or you can install your original toilet seat on top of this seat.
Important: this seat comes in two different sizes, so make sure to order the size meant for your toilet bowl (standard or elongated). The fact that there are two different size options means you’ll get a fit that closely matches the bowl size. The manufacturer’s video on Amazon demonstrates how to measure to determine the size to order.
Pros
- 3.5″ added elevation
- Supports up to 300 lbs
- Larger opening, easy to clean
- Soft comfort grip handles
- Can install existing seat on top
- Tool free installation
Cons
- May elevate the seat too high for shorter seniors
This seat is a great option when good amount of extra height is needed. This might be the case with older toilets, which tend to be a shorter height.
If you have a toilet that is on the high side though and the senior is short, then this seat may be too tall for them. Measure heights to figure out the best option.
If you’re looking for a seat for a shorter toilet or if the senior is tall, this is a strong option. Make sure you select the right size option (standard vs. elongated) for your toilet.
👉 Check price and reviews on Amazon
Carex E-Z Lock Raised Toilet Seat With Handles (Best For Stability)
This raised seat is a good option when the senior needs sturdy support handles for sitting and standing. The large handles have a non slip padded grip and the width can be adjusted for the senior’s comfort.
The seat has a locking mechanism to secure it to the bowl with a twist knob which allows for removal for cleaning.
This seat is 5″ tall so it’s a great option if you have a low toilet or a tall senior.
Pros
- Non-slip padded handles
- Raises seat 5″, good for low toilets or tall seniors
- Fits standard and elongated bowls
- Handles width is adjustable from 18″ – 20″
Cons
- Smaller opening
- May be too tall for already tall toilets (comfort height toilets)
- May be too tall for shorter seniors
If you’re looking for a seat with a tall rise and stable grip bars, this is a good option to consider.
👉 Check price and reviews for this raised toilet seat with handles on Amazon
If you’re comparing options for raised seats, it’s worth checking current prices and reviews to find the right fit.
👉 Browse top-rated raised toilet seats on Amazon
Drive Medical Bedside Commode or Over the Toilet Seat (Best Over the Seat Frame-Style Chair)
An over the toilet seat frame-style chair is a good option when the senior lacks strength, since the the top bar can give the senior a good strength boost when rising from the seat. This type of seat is also helpful for those with balance issues. Since the frame fits over the entire toilet and the bars on the frame give the senior a large area to grab onto for support.
This was the option I used with my mother when she lived with me when she started having balance and strength issues.
What I liked about this solution was it was height adjustable with a push button mechanism on the legs. It was also very lightweight, so when I needed to use the toilet, it was quick and easy for me to temporarily move it off of the toilet, and then later replace it for my mother.
The toilet that I used this over was already a taller height toilet, so we really only needed an inch or so height boost. I was able to adjust the legs for the perfect height. The grab bars on the frame were the most beneficial part for my mother.
Note: this model comes with a plastic container so you can use it as a bedside commode. We didn’t use it that way, but a few times when my mother was ill and didn’t have the strength to walk to the bathroom, we did use it bedside.
Pros
- Adjustable height
- Strong stainless steel frame supports up to 350 lbs
- Long bars are sturdy and supportive
- Easy to clean
- Can be used bedside with the removable bucket
- Foldable
- Can be used as a shower chair
Cons
- Doesn’t have an integrated look
This is a very sturdy and versatile chair. It’s lightweight, but supportive and the grab bars are the perfect height to aid with balance and strength issues. Since it folds, it’s easy to store and transport.
If you’re looking for a solution with sturdy bars where you can fine tune the height, this is a good option to consider.
👉 Check Price and Reviews for this Frame-Style Seat on Amazon
KOHLER Hyten 3″ Elevated Toilet Seat (Best Premium/Comfort Option)
This option is by far the most visually pleasing option. It replaces the current seat, but it’s taller and gives a 3″ height boost. It may be a good option if the senior doesn’t have balance or strength issues yet so they don’t need bars attached to the seat.
The seat comes in two different sizes to fit either a standard or elongated size bowl. Some toilets in older homes are standard height toilets and they are lower to the floor than modern toilets, so this seat could be used to give a 3″ height boost.
Pros
- Stylish
- 3″ elevation increase
- Permanent solution
- Quiet close lid
- Push button release for easy cleaning
Cons
- Doesn’t have integrated grab bars for support
Reviewers praise this seat for it’s sturdiness, saying that the quality of this seat is even better than the quality of the original seat that came with their toilet.
If you’re looking for an eye pleasing sturdy solution that accommodates a senior plus others in the house without having to remove the seat, this may be a good solution. Also, if you have grab bars installed on the wall(s) near the toilet, then the height elevation this seat provides could provide a well rounded safety solution.
👉 Check Price and Reviews for this Premium/Comfort Option Seat on Amazon
Best Type of Raised Seats for Different Needs
- Over the toilet frame with sturdy arms for extra support
- Grip bars attached for those with strength and balance issues
- Elevated replacement seat if wall grab bars are already in place and not needed
Tips for Using a Raised Toilet Seat Safely
- Ensure proper installation
- Regularly check for looseness
Adding a raised toilet seat can improve bathroom safety for seniors by eliminating the challenge of lowering down onto or rising from a low seat. Attached grab bars are an added bonus for balance and strength.
If you’re looking for more ways to improve bathroom safety, you can also read my guide on preventing falls in the bathroom.
👉 Read my full guide to preventing bathroom falls
Frequently Asked Questions
What height raised toilet seat is best for seniors?
Most seniors benefit from a 3–5 inch height increase, depending on their mobility and the height of the existing toilet.
Are raised toilet seats safe?
Yes, when properly installed. Models with locking mechanisms or handles provide the most stability and reduce fall risk.
Do you need handles on a raised toilet seat?
Handles are highly recommended for seniors with balance or strength issues, as they provide support when sitting and standing.
If your toilet seat is high enough already, but the senior is unsteady what can help?
Newer comfort height toilets may already be tall enough for the senior, but if they have balance, strength, knee or hip issues then an over the toilet frame with or without seat would be a good solution. The bars on the frame are closer to the toilet than even wall grab bars would be, so it gives the senior more support.
