This article is incomplete.
Toileting refers to the act of having a bowel movement or urinating into a suitable receptacle.
A toilet is a piece of hardware that is used to collect human waste. Most homes have at least one flush toilet in them.
Floor mounted flush toilets come in different seating heights. Models which mount to the wall may be installed at any height. The ideal height of a toilet seat will depend on the height of the patient.
Seat risers or over-the-toilet commodes can be used to increase the seat height.
Seat risers mount on top of the toilet bowl and vary in how they are fastened. Some have a knob at the front which secures it to the bowl. Some also include small legs which go to the floor to help distribute some of the load and provide stability. Seat risers which do not have supporting legs may be prone to popping off if the user applies significant pressure to only one side of the riser.
Seat risers may have a small opening, which may make positioning onto it difficult. They may become soiled, depending on how the patient is sitting on it.
Commodes are a type of toilet that simply collect human waste into a bucket or tray. Some commodes are intended to be used over a flush toilet where the waste will be deposited and thus do not have a collection mechanism of their own.
Commodes of all types are prone to leaking urine at the front, especially when being used by a male patient.
Commodes typically have height adjustable legs to account for the height of the patient. Taller patients may reach the limit of range quickly. Configuring the commode to be as high as possible is beneficial, however, the patient must be able to sit upon it safely.
Commodes are prone to moving when the patient sits down on it, or when they go to stand up, especially if the patient is applying significant pressure to the support bars with their arms. When the patient begins to stand up, the commode may tend to move or tilt backward; this may damage the tank of a flush toilet.
Wheeled commodes have levers on every wheel. Most are brakes, though one or more may be steering locks instead. If so, the lever on that wheel may have a different color or shape from the others. All brakes and steering locks should be activated before the patient uses the commode.
A bedpan is a small, donut-shaped container that is used to collect human waste directly. Bedpans are typically used while lying in bed.
Males may urinate in a bed pan by lying on their side and aiming appropriately.
Bedpans should be cleaned promptly after each use, using mild soap.
A urine bottle is a small container that is used to capture urine. There are different models for males and females.
Urine bottles provide a convenient way to urinate when in a wheelchair or lying in bed. They are readily available in pharmacies and retail stores, and are affordable.
The contents of a urine bottle should be poured and flushed down a flush toilet. If the contents are poured down a sink, the sink will eventually give off a strong odor, even if rinsed thoroughly with water.
Urine bottles should be cleaned after each use, with mild soap or vinegar.
Outhouses typically have very limited room inside them, and are difficult to get to. In some cases, they may be large enough that a commode could be brought into it and used independently. Otherwise, an outhouse would be difficult for someone with ALS to make use of.
Flush toilets are typically mounted to walls; this necessitates either a turn or backward movement in order to reach them before sitting down. These maneuvers are difficult and potentially unsafe for an individual with ALS.
Grab bars and transfer poles may be used to provide support while walking backward to a toilet if the individual retains a moderate amount of lower limb strength.
Wheeled over-the-toilet commodes may be used to complete the journey to the toilet if the layout of the bathroom permits. Care should be taken to avoid ramming the commode into the toilet tank, as it may cause it to crack and leak water.
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Human waste that is not being disposed of in a flush toilet will need to be disposed of according to the regulations of the municipal waste program. Some jurisdictions require signing up for a diaper removal program, which may have associated fees and require periodic renewal.
The waste disposal container should be at least 10 gallons (38L) in size if it is to be collected weekly.
An individual that suffers from incontinence may use briefs or a catheter.