Toilet seats with douche and air drying function

Toilet seats with douche and air drying function can be used by most people, but it may be especially relevant for those who have difficulty using the toilet without assistance.

A toilet seat with douche and drying function can help make you more self-reliant during toilet visits, but to become completely self-reliant, you should be able to pull your pants up and down and sit down and stand up from the toilet on your own. Toilet seats with douche and drying function can improve hygiene during daily visits to the toilet and contribute to an increased sense of freedom and independence.

Some toilet seats with douche and drying function have built-in arm supports, which can be helpful when getting up from and sitting down on the toilet. Most arm supports can be folded up or down, which can make it easier to move to or from, for example a wheelchair. Built-in arm supports take up more space, so make sure there is room for them in the bathroom.

Alternatively, you can acquire toilet arm supports that can be mounted on the toilet, freestanding arm supports, fixed grab bars or toilet arm supports , that are mounted on the wall or on the floor next to the toilet. Please read more in the guide Support handles, handrails, and toilet supports.

If the above solutions do not meet your needs, there are also toilet seats with built-in raising mechanism that can assist you in sitting down on and standing up from the toilet. Most of these can be used in combination with a toilet seat with douche and drying function.

You may want to contact your municipalitys assistive device department before acquiring a toilet seat with douche and air drying function. The municipality can advise you on the right choice, and a professional can assess whether training might help improve your level of functioning.

Before choosing a toilet seat with douche and drying function, there are several features to consider.

Douche function

There are toilet seats with different types of douche function. Some toilet seats douche both at the back (anally) and at the front (for females), while others only douche at the back. Some toilet seats allow you to adjust the water pressure. It can be an advantage to be able to adjust the pressure since the cleaning required may vary.

Temperature regulation

Some toilet seats have a function that allows you to regulate the water temperature yourself. Be careful not to set the temperature too high, as even temperatures a few degrees above body temperature can cause burns. If you have difficulty adjusting or sensing the temperature yourself, it is possible on some types of toilets to set the water to a specific temperature.

Toilet seats with air drying usually also offer the option to regulate the air temperature. Also in this case, be cautious not to set the temperature too high.

Operating

There are several options for operating the functions of the toilet seat. There may be differences in whether the toilet seat is programmed for a specific duration of the douching and drying periods or whether you can adjust this via the control panel.
The control panel can be located at the end of the arm support, on the side of the toilet seat, or on the wall. There is also the option of operating it with a foot pedal or a remote control. If you choose a remote control, consider where to place it for easy access.

Multiple users

Some toilet seats with douche and air drying function can be pre-set for the preferences of multiple users, such as temperature and water pressure, and some have a "parental lock" feature that restricts operation to specific users.

Size

You should be aware that a toilet seat with douche and drying function often has a smaller inner diameter and a different shape than a regular toilet seat. Therefore, it is a good idea to check the details about the size of the toilet seat before acquiring one.

Heated toilet seat

Some toilet seats with douche and air drying function have a built-in heater in the seat. This function can be useful, e.g. if you have spasticity, because a cold toilet seat can increase spasticity, making it difficult to sit on the toilet.

Toilet height

When you install a toilet seat, it usually increases the height of the toilet. This can make it difficult to get a good foothold, for example when standing up from the toilet. The increased sitting height can also make it more difficult to defecate, but this can be solved with a low footstool. It should be a footstool that is easy to push away while still sitting on the toilet, so it doesnt get in the way when you need to stand up from the toilet.

Most toilet seats with douche and drying function can be used together with a raised toilet seat . You can find details about this in the user manual from the supplier.

Self-cleaning jet

Some toilet seats with douche and drying function have a cleaning function that minimizes any odour from the jets while also cleaning the jets.

Lid

If you need to be able to sit on the lid of the toilet seat, there are toilet seats with douche and drying function and lids designed for this purpose. You can find information about this in the user manual from the supplier.

Toilet seats with douche and air drying function can not necessarily be installed in all homes due to specific requirements for the construction conditions in your bathroom. This includes factors like the distance from the toilet to the wall, and the distance from the toilet to the shower as there are regulations regarding the distance between electrical appliances and water. Additionally, the placement of the power supply should be considered to avoid any safety hazards from exposed cords.

Installation

The toilet seat should be connected to a standard water supply with the option to shut off the water supply. Furthermore, the toilet seat should be connected to a standard grounded power outlet. The power outlet should be easily accessible and close to the toilet. The requirements for distances from power outlets to water outlets are outlined in the Executive order on high-voltage power You can find information regarding "Backflow Prevention of Water Supply Systems" in The Building Regulations  (see 8.4.3). These requirements must also be met. You can seek advice and guidance on these matters from a professional.

You should follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning and maintaining the toilet seat with douche and air drying function. A separate toilet seat with douche and air drying function should be regularly inspected to ensure it is securely attached.

Most toilet seats with douche and drying function can be cleaned like a regular toilet seat. The manufacturers instructions will indicate whether the seat can withstand being splashed with water. Remember to also clean and descale the jets. Some toilet seats with douche and air drying function have automatic jet cleaning.

If you want to be able to sit on top of the lid of the toilet seat, please ensure that the lid is designed for that purpose.

All toilet seats with douche and air drying function marketed and sold in Denmark must be CE-marked.

If the product is marketed to people with disabilities, the product must be CE-marked as medical equipment and must meet a range of requirements, including safety, stability, durability, and functionality. These requirements are outlined in standards such as:

• DS/ISO 17966: 2016 - Assistive products for personal hygiene - Requirements and test methods

If the toilet seat is solely marketed as a comfort product, it should be CE-marked according to the Low Voltage Directive to ensure electrical safety.