Most of us don’t think twice about using the toilet—until something as simple as sitting down or standing back up starts to feel difficult.
Whether it’s recovering from surgery, living with arthritis, reduced balance or simply finding everyday movements take a little more effort than they once did, changes in mobility can affect confidence as much as comfort.
The good news is that improving toilet safety doesn’t usually require renovating your bathroom. The right toilet aid can provide extra support, reduce the effort required to sit and stand, and help you continue using the bathroom you already have with greater confidence and independence.
From raised toilet seats and toilet surround frames to over toilet frames and commodes, this guide explains how each option works, who it’s designed for and the key features to consider when choosing the solution that’s right for you or your loved one.
Why toileting can become more difficult
Sitting down on a standard-height toilet and standing back up again requires coordinated movement, leg strength and balance.
Changes to any of these can make toileting more challenging and more physically demanding.
Common reasons people start to find toileting difficult:
- recovering from hip or knee replacement surgery
- arthritis affecting the hips or knees
- reduced muscle strength
- neurological conditions affecting balance or mobility
- age-related changes in strength and stability
- temporary injuries
For people living with osteoarthritis, for example, pain and stiffness in the hips and knees can make it more difficult to lower yourself onto a standard-height toilet and stand up again. Arthritis Australia explains that osteoarthritis commonly affects movement and everyday functional activities, making strategies that reduce strain on the joints an important part of ongoing management.
Because toileting is performed several times each day, even a small reduction in physical effort can make a noticeable difference to everyday independence.
Which toilet aid is right for you?
The best toilet aid depends on why you’re finding toileting difficult.
Understanding where exactly you need additional support will help to narrow down the options and identify the right toilet aid for you.
The recommendations below are intended as a general guide to help explain the different types of toilet aids available and the situations they are commonly used for.
Every person’s mobility, strength, balance and home environment are different, so it’s important to always seek advice from your healthcare professional, who can assess your individual circumstances and recommend the most appropriate solution for your needs.
I need support getting on and off the toilet
If your toilet is a comfortable height but you would benefit from extra stability when sitting down or standing up, a toilet surround frame may be the answer.
The Q-assist Universal Surround Toilet Frame fits around most standard toilets and provides supportive armrests on either side.
Unlike permanently installed grab rails, a surround frame doesn’t require drilling into bathroom walls, making it ideal for:
- rental properties
- temporary recovery
- shared family bathrooms
- people who don’t want permanent modifications
The frame is both height and width adjustable, helping it accommodate a range of users while also allowing adjustment if bathroom floors are uneven.
Watch: Why Occupational Therapists recommend toilet surround frames
In this short video, Occupational Therapist Anita Brown-Major explains why toilet surround frames are one of her favourite bathroom aids. She demonstrates how the frame provides support like fixed grab rails without requiring permanent installation and shows how the adjustable legs can improve stability on uneven floors.
Another option to consider is the Q-assist Toilet Handrail. Unlike the Surround Toilet Frame, the Toilet Handrail installs directly onto your existing toilet. This is ideal where floorspace around the toilet is limited, making a Surround Toilet Frame difficult to set up and use. It features foldable arm rests that can be folded up and out of the way, for when guests or other members of the family are using the toilet.
I need both support and extra toilet height
If the toilet is too low to comfortably sit down on, an Over Toilet Frame — which fits over your toilet with its own raised seat — may be the answer.
While the Toilet Surround Frame and Over Toilet Frame look similar, there is a key difference between them.
While the Toilet Surround Frame provides supportive armrests, the Over Toilet Frame offers this while also providing a raised toilet seat. This additional seat provided by an Over Toilet Frame reduces how far the user needs to lower themselves when sitting and how much effort is required to stand again.
I need a bedside toileting solution
If walking to the bathroom is difficult and falls are a concern, particularly overnight, a Commode may be appropriate.
The Q-assist Over Toilet Frame & Commode can be used both:
- over an existing toilet
- independently as a bedside commode
This versatility can reduce the distance required to walk to the bathroom while still providing supportive armrests and an adjustable seating height.
Watch: Over Toilet Frame & Commode explained
Occupational Therapist Anita Brown-Major explains how a commode can be used both beside the bed and over an existing toilet. She also discusses why toilet height should be carefully considered and explains how, where recommended by a healthcare professional, using a small footstool may encourage a more natural toileting posture.
I only need to make the toilet higher
If balance isn’t a concern but you find it difficult to lower yourself onto the toilet, a Raised Toilet Seat with Handrail may be the aid for you.
A raised toilet seat increases the seating height while integrated handrails provide additional support during transfers.
This option can be particularly useful after orthopaedic surgery, for example hip or knee replacement surgery, or for people with reduced hip or knee mobility.
The Q-assist Raised Toilet Seat and Handrail increases your total toilet height by 125mm, installs directly onto the toilet as a space saving alternative to toilet frames and provides comfortable padded armrests and a moulded toilet seat.
Key Features to Look for When Choosing a Toilet Aid
Weight rating
Always select a toilet aid with a maximum user weight suitable for the intended user. Using equipment beyond its specified weight rating may affect its safe operation.
Weight rating can also be listed on product packaging or safe use documents as maximum load.
Height adjustability
Adjustability is important for safety and comfort. Look for Surround Toilet Frames or Over Toilet Frames that feature adjustable legs to accommodate user height and uneven floors. Surround Toilet frames should also feature adjustable widths to accommodate all body types.
For Over Toilet Frames that increase toilet seat height, ensure the seat height can be tailored to the individual user. A seat that’s too low may increase the effort to stand, while one that is too high may reduce foot contact with the floor and interrupt natural sitting position.
Toileting posture
When introducing a raised toilet seat, it may be necessary to adopt the use of a footstool. As Occupational Therapist Anita Brown-Major explains in this video, sitting higher may make getting on and off the toilet easier but it can also make continence harder.
A footstool, such as the Q-assist Bath Step and Stool, positioned to the correct height can help you to achieve the correct posture and in turn relax your pelvic floor muscles to facilitate toileting without straining.
Stability
Look for features including:
- sturdy construction, but ensure its lightweight enough to be moved in and out of place as required
- slip-resistant feet
- comfortable armrests
- adjustable legs for uneven floors
Australian Standards
Selecting products independently tested to relevant Australian Standards provides confidence that they have been assessed for safety and performance.
Q-assist products are independently tested to applicable Australian Standards:
- Q-assist Over Toilet Frame and Commode meets Australian Standard AS/NZS 3973:2009
- Q-assist Toilet Seat & Handrail meets Australian Standard AS/NZS 3973:2009
- Q-assist Toilet Handrail meets Australian Standard AS/NZS EN 12182:2015
- Q-assist Universal Surround Toilet Frame meets Australian Standard AS/NZS EN 12182:2015
Compare Q-assist Toilet Aids at a Glance
Swipe/Drag to view
Toilet Handrail
|
Raised Toilet Seat & Handrail
|
Universal Surround Toilet Frame
|
Over Toilet Frame & Commode
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| If your main challenge is… | I need arm support, but my toilet height is comfortable | My toilet is too low, and I need extra height | I need maximum support getting on and off the toilet | I need maximum support, a higher toilet seat and/or a bedside commode |
| Best suited for | Users who require additional arm support when sitting and standing, but don’t need to raise the toilet height. | Users who find their existing toilet seat too low and would benefit from a raised seating position with integrated hand support. | Users who require a high level of stability and support when transferring on and off the toilet but don’t need to raise the toilet seat height. | Users who require maximum support with arm support, a raised toilet height, bariatric support and/or the flexibility of a bedside commode. |
| Provides arm support | ✓ Fold-up support arms | ✓ Integrated padded handrails | ✓ Padded armrests | ✓ Padded armrests |
| Raises toilet height | – | ✓ Raises seat by 125mm | – | ✓ Features a height-adjustable over-the-toilet toilet seat |
| Height adjustable | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Width adjustable | – | – | ✓ | – |
| Can be used as a bedside commode | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Foldable / space-saving | ✓ Fold-up arms | ✓ Compact toilet-mounted design | – | ✓ Foldable frame |
| Product weight | Installed directly onto toilet | Installed directly onto toilet | 5.55kg | 6.33kg |
| Maximum user weight | 240kg total (120kg per arm) | 150kg | 200kg | 250kg |
| Australian Standard | AS/NZS EN 12182:2015 | AS/NZS 3973:2009 | AS/NZS EN 12182:2015 | AS/NZS 3973:2009 |
| Ideal if… | You want a discreet, space-saving alternative to a toilet frame. | You need to reduce the distance required to sit and stand but have limited bathroom space. | You need stable support on both sides of the toilet without changing the toilet height. | You need the greatest level of support and flexibility, including the ability to raise your toilet height with the integrated toilet seat or the option to use it as a bedside commode. |
The comparison table above is intended as a general guide to help you understand the different types of Q-assist toilet aids and the situations they are commonly used in. The most appropriate solution will vary from person to person. If you’re unsure which product is right for you or a loved one, speak with your Occupational Therapist or healthcare professional, who can assess your individual needs and recommend the most suitable option.
The right toilet aid can make one of life’s most frequently performed daily activities safer, easier and more comfortable.
Explore the full range of Q-assist toilet aids to find the solution that’s right for your home.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What’s the difference between a toilet surround frame and an over toilet frame?
A toilet surround frame provides supportive armrests around your existing toilet without changing the toilet’s height. An over toilet frame provides supportive armrests and raises the seating position, reducing the distance you need to sit down and stand up.
Q: What’s the difference between the Q-assist Universal Surround Toilet Frame and the Toilet Handrail?
The Toilet Handrail was designed as a space saving alternative to toilet frames. It installs directly onto the toilet and takes up no floor space. It features foldable arm supports that can be folded up and out of the way when not in use. However, it isn’t as versatile as the Surround Toilet Frame which has been designed to accommodate all body types with its width and height adjustability.
Q: Can an over toilet frame be used as a commode?
Some models, including the Q-assist Over Toilet Frame & Commode, can be used both over an existing toilet and independently as a bedside commode.
Q: Do I need grab rails if I have a toilet surround frame?
Not always. A toilet surround frame provides stable armrests without requiring permanent installation, making it a practical alternative for many users. Your Occupational Therapist can advise whether additional grab rails are appropriate.
Q: Are toilet aids suitable after hip or knee replacement surgery?
Many people use toilet aids during recovery from hip or knee replacement surgery because they can reduce the effort required to sit down and stand up. Always follow the recommendations of your surgeon, Occupational Therapist or physiotherapist regarding the most appropriate equipment for your recovery.