Table of Contents
- What Is a Bedside Commode?
- What to Consider When Looking for a Bedside Commode
- Best Bedside Commodes for Home Use 2024
- DMI Bedside Commode
- Avantia Ultra Comfort Portable Steel Commode Chair
- Drive Medical Folding Steel Commode
- How to Clean a Bedside Commode
- When to Think About Purchasing a Bedside Commode
- Are Bedside Commodes Covered by Health Insurance?
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When a person is healing from an accident or navigating an illness or life-changing procedure, how they use the bathroom can often present a challenge. Bedside commodes can help, offering people recovering from surgeries or medical conditions, as well as people experiencing loss of mobility as they age, a way to establish a new normal that’s dignified and helps maintain a certain level of independence.
Read on to learn about bedside commodes, including how to pick the best one for you or your loved one and our top picks.
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We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Partner Offer placements. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable review of their products or services.
Vive Health Folding Commode
- This commode chair serves multiple purposes, acting as a standalone toilet, safety frame or raised seat
- Features tool-free height adjustments and padded armrests for customized support and comfort
- Supports up to 500 lbs with its reinforced frame, ensuring stability and longevity
- Lightweight design with easy foldability for storage and transport
- Comes with a removable pail and splash guard for hassle-free maintenance
On Vive Health's Website
What Is a Bedside Commode?
A bedside commode is a portable toilet most often used by individuals recovering from a medical event that inhibits their ability to use the bathroom independently or safely. A bedside commode is often used temporarily, either until full recovery is made or until adaptations and modifications can be made to the bathroom to make it safe for the individual, says Jody Fisk, president of EZ Able, a Traverse City, Michigan-based mobility products business.
What to Consider When Looking for a Bedside Commode
Several factors can make a bedside commode all the more functional and comfortable for the user. Here are some to think about when shopping.
Removable Seat
A removable seat does more than allow for easy cleaning—it makes the bedside commode multi-purpose. With the seat component removed, you’re left with the commode’s frame and handrails, which can be used for additional safety and stability as the user returns to the bathroom.
Adjustability
Height adjustments are crucial for comfort, ease of use and safety. A height-adjustable commode allows the user to get on and off easily and lowers their risk of falls.
Stability
Stability in a bedside commode is important when the user is sitting, as well as when they put their weight on the frame to get on and off of the commode safely (or when it’s being used as a safety rail). Fisk notes that steel frames weigh more than aluminum frames, which can make them feel sturdier.
Multi-Purpose
Many bedside commodes have 3-in-1 designs, meaning they can be used as a commode, over-the-toilet seat or safety railing. Some commodes also double as shower seats. Should you want options during your recovery process to transition to the bathroom safely, a 3-in-1 unit can help provide peace of mind.
Bacteria Protection
Some bedside commode surfaces have antimicrobial or antibacterial properties, helping to extend the life of the product and protect it from mold and bacteria that may wear down the material over time.
Bedside commodes don’t use running water; instead, they must be manually emptied and cleaned after each use.
Best Bedside Commodes for Home Use 2024
If you’re looking to add a bedsid commode to your home for yourself or a loved one, consider the options below as a starting point for your search. Note: Prices are accurate as of the publication date.
DMI Bedside Commode
- Price: $114.71
- 500-pound weight capacity
- Includes 7-quart bucket
On Amazon
Pros & Cons
Read More
Avantia Ultra Comfort Portable Steel Commode Chair
- Price: $59.95
- 350-pound weight capacity
- Flexible folding frame
On Amazon
Pros & Cons
Read More
Drive Medical Folding Steel Commode
- Price: $66.50
- 350-pound weight capacity
- 8-quart waste bucket
On Amazon
Pros & Cons
Read More
How to Clean a Bedside Commode
After an individual uses the commode and is safely cleaned and moved back to their bed or chair, put on a pair of gloves and remove the pail (which often comes with a handle) and dispose of the contents directly into a toilet in the home. Clean the commode with a toilet brush and cleaner as you would a freestanding toilet. Use a rag or disposable towel and disinfectant of your choice to disinfect the pail before returning it to the commode.
When to Think About Purchasing a Bedside Commode
Ideally, a bedside commode is purchased before it becomes too difficult or dangerous to walk to and use the bathroom in your home independently. Your doctor or physical therapist may instruct you to buy a bedside commode when they think it could be helpful for you or a loved one.
Fisk recommends asking yourself the following questions to help determine whether you need a bedside commode:
- When home, will you be able to walk to the bathroom?
- How far is the bathroom from where you will be recuperating?
- If you require assistance, is your bathroom large enough for two people?
Are Bedside Commodes Covered by Health Insurance?
While coverage varies among health insurance providers, bedside commodes are considered durable medical equipment (DME) and are therefore covered by Medicare when prescribed by a doctor. However, specific circumstances will determine whether you’re instructed to rent or buy the commode. Some insurance providers like Aetna follow Medicare’s lead and cover bedside commodes, but it’s best to check with your insurance provider before filing a claim. FEATURED PARTNER OFFER We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Partner Offer placements. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable review of their products or services. Vive Health Raised Toilet Seat On Vive Health's Website 
