A good commode chair for an older adult lets your parent sit down and stand up steadily on their own. It needs sturdy armrests to push up from, a backrest, adjustable height so both feet rest flat on the floor, and non-slip feet or wheels that lock on every caster. A shower chair becomes necessary the moment standing through a shower leaves your parent tired, dizzy or clinging to the wall. Choosing the right type and placing it correctly greatly reduces the chance of a fall in the bathroom or on the way there at night.
Many families start thinking about this after a loud noise from the bathroom at three in the morning, or after Mum says her knees are too weak to get up from the toilet. A commode chair and a shower chair are small purchases compared with the cost of a single fall, but the wrong model, the wrong height or the wrong angle can turn a safety aid into a new hazard. This guide walks you through each step: which type suits your parent, the specifications to check, where to place the chair, how to transfer safely, and when to ask a physical therapist to look at your home.
Quick answer
- A bedside commode suits parents who cannot walk safely to the bathroom at night, or who walk so slowly they cannot get there in time
- A shower chair suits parents who cannot stand for a whole shower; if they lean or wobble when seated, choose one with a backrest and armrests
- The seat height must fit: both feet flat on the floor, hips level with or slightly above the knees
- Place the chair right next to the bed on the stronger-leg side, angled slightly, on a dry floor with a night light, and lock the wheels every time
- If your parent needs someone to lift them every time they stand, ask a physical therapist to assess transfers before buying, so you do not buy the wrong type
1. Four chair types families often confuse
There are four main types of toileting and bathing chairs. They look alike but are designed for different situations, and knowing the difference saves money and repeat purchases.
Bedside commode
A steel or aluminium frame with an open seat and a removable bucket. It stands beside the bed so your parent can get up and sit down within a few steps. It is most useful at night, because walking a long way in the dark right after waking is exactly when older adults tend to fall. Many models have a seat lid, so it doubles as an ordinary chair during the day.
Raised toilet seat or toilet safety frame
A frame with armrests that fits over the existing toilet, or a riser that lifts the toilet seat. It suits parents who can still walk into the bathroom safely but cannot get up from a low toilet. Many bedside commodes can also be placed over the toilet with the bucket removed, so one chair can serve both purposes.
Shower chair
A seat with drainage holes on rust-resistant aluminium legs with rubber feet. There are stools without a back, chairs with a backrest, and chairs with armrests. It sits under the shower so your parent can wash seated throughout. For homes with a bathtub, a transfer bench lets them sit on the edge first and then lift their legs over.
Wheeled commode-shower chair
Combines a commode and a shower chair in one, with wheels so a caregiver can push your parent from the bed straight into the bathroom without several transfers. It suits parents who cannot walk but can still sit upright. Check that the bathroom door and threshold let the wheels through, and that every wheel locks.
2. Which type does your parent need? Answer three questions first
The right type depends on what your parent can do now, not on the best-selling model. Answer these three questions honestly.
- Can your parent walk safely from bed to bathroom at night? If they get up several times a night, walk slowly, feel dizzy on standing, or the bathroom is far away, start with a bedside commode.
- How long can they stand without holding on? If they cannot stand for the length of a shower, they need a shower chair. If they lean or rock when seated, choose one with a backrest and armrests.
- Can they stand up from a chair by themselves, or do they need help every time? If they can push up on the armrests, a standard legged chair is enough. If someone has to help with transfers, armrests that fold or come off make sideways transfers easier. If they cannot walk at all, a wheeled chair reduces the number of transfers.
Common matches we see at home:
- Dad walks well in the day but gets up several times at night to urinate: a bedside commode for night-time only, plus a shower chair with a backrest
- Mum has just had hip or knee surgery and can bend only so far: a raised toilet seat with armrests and a height-adjustable shower chair, following the advice of her post-operative care team
- Your parent can sit upright but cannot stand: a wheeled commode-shower chair pushed by the caregiver
3. Specifications to check before you buy or rent
A safe chair ticks every item on this list. If one is missing, ask yourself how your parent will make up for it.
- Adjustable height so the whole sole of each foot rests on the floor and the hips are level with or slightly above the knees. Too low makes standing hard; too high leaves the feet dangling and the body sliding.
- Sturdy armrests, which your parent uses to push up. Press down on one side and check the chair does not tip. For sideways transfers from the bed, choose folding or removable armrests.
- A backrest for parents who lean, tire quickly or sit for long periods.
- Non-slip rubber feet or wheels that lock on every caster. The rubber tips must not be hard or cracked, and the brakes must genuinely hold.
- Weight capacity comfortably above your parent's body weight, because sitting down heavily or being supported by a caregiver puts more force on the chair than body weight alone.
- Seat width that fits the whole seat without squeezing against the armrests, with a central opening that does not feel as if they might slip through.
- Material: aluminium or rust-proofed frames light enough to lift for cleaning; a shower chair needs drainage holes.
- Bucket with a tight lid and a handle, removable from the back or side without lifting the whole chair.
- Folding or not: useful in small homes or for travel, but check the lock holds firmly so the chair cannot fold while in use.
4. Where to place the chair for maximum safety
The best spot for a commode is right beside the bed on the side your parent usually gets up from, which should be their stronger-leg side, angled slightly towards the bed so they turn as little as possible between the edge of the bed and the seat.
- Close enough that they can reach the armrest while still sitting on the edge of the bed
- A night light or a switch within reach of the pillow; never let them get up in the dark
- A dry floor around the chair, with no sliding mats and no cables across the path
- Toilet paper, wet wipes and a small towel within reach, so they do not have to get up to fetch them
- If someone else sleeps in the room, use a screen or curtain; parents use the chair more willingly when they feel private
For the shower chair, place it under the shower so that once seated your parent can reach the grab bar, a hand-held shower head, the soap and the shampoo without leaning far. Every leg must rest on level floor, not straddling the drain channel. If the home has no grab bars beside the toilet and in the shower yet, install them at the same time: the chair helps while sitting, but grab bars help while standing and stepping.
5. Transferring from bed to commode, step by step
Safe transfers follow one rule: slow, steady, and lock everything before moving. If your parent can bear weight on at least one leg, follow these steps.
- Place the chair against the bed on the stronger-leg side, angled slightly towards the bed, lock every wheel and lift the seat lid.
- Adjust the bed to roughly the same height as the seat; an electric bed makes this easy.
- Help your parent sit on the edge of the bed with both feet flat on the floor and pause for a moment so their blood pressure can adjust. If they feel dizzy or their vision blurs, let them lie back down first.
- Ask them to shuffle forward slightly, push on the bed with one hand and hold the far armrest of the chair with the other.
- The helper stands in front, slightly towards the weaker side, knee against knee, holding the waistband or a transfer belt. Never pull the arms or lift under the armpits.
- Count "one, two, three" and stand together. Let them stand straight for a moment, then turn with small steps rather than twisting at the waist.
- When the back of their legs touches the seat, they reach for both armrests and lower themselves slowly, without dropping down.
Afterwards, reverse the steps and let them sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before lying down. If your parent cannot bear weight on either leg, or needs two people every time, do not force these steps. Ask a physical therapist to work out the right transfer method for their body first, because the wrong technique can injure both your parent and the helper.
6. Showering on a shower chair without slipping or getting cold
A shower chair is safe when paired with good preparation. The key rule is: sit down before the water goes on, and stand up only after the feet are dried.
- Put everything within reach before bringing your parent in: towel, clean clothes, soap and shampoo
- Close doors and windows against draughts so the bathroom is warm enough that they do not shiver
- Test the water temperature with the helper's elbow or inner arm every time, because older skin senses heat more slowly
- Use a hand-held shower and start from the feet upwards so your parent gets used to the temperature
- Drape a small towel over the shoulders or lap for warmth and privacy
- Never leave your parent alone in the bathroom, not even for a moment to fetch something
- Dry the feet and the floor around the chair before they stand, and have them hold the grab bar when rising
If your parent can no longer sit balanced on a chair, or moving them into the bathroom is not safe, a bed bath may suit better. See how to give a bed bath and wash hair in bed.
7. Cleaning and caring for the chair
A well-maintained chair is both cleaner and safer, because many accidents come from loose bolts or worn rubber feet that nobody noticed.
- Empty and wash the bucket after every use, and leave a little water in the bottom before the next use to make cleaning easier and reduce odour
- Wipe the seat and armrests with a cleaning solution daily and let them dry before use
- Take the shower chair out to dry from time to time to prevent slime on the legs and rubber
- Once a week, check the bolts, height locks, rubber tips and wheel brakes; replace cracked tips or failing brakes before further use
8. Buy or rent? Decide by how long you will need it
For short-term use, such as a few weeks of recovery after surgery, renting gets you a suitable model without storage problems later. For many months or permanent use, buying usually works out better. More important than buying or renting is getting a model that truly fits your parent's body and bathroom. KIN HomeCare rents some commode chairs and other care equipment; see current models and terms on our medical equipment rental page. If your parent also needs a wheelchair to reach the bathroom, read our guide to choosing and renting a wheelchair.
Mistakes families often make
- Buying from a photo without measuring height. A chair that is too low means your parent cannot stand without being pulled up. Adjust the legs so the feet are flat and the hips are not below the knees.
- Placing the chair on the weaker side. Your parent then has to turn towards the side with no strength, and the knee may buckle. Move the chair to the stronger side.
- Forgetting to lock the wheels. A chair rolling away as someone sits down is a common cause of falls with wheeled chairs. Make "lock before moving" a house rule.
- Using a commode as a shower chair. If the model is not designed for water, the frame rusts and the seat becomes slippery. Choose a model labelled for bathroom use.
- Letting your parent use it alone from day one. Stay with them at first until you are confident they can get on and off safely every time, especially at night.
- Not asking how your parent feels. Many older adults resist a commode because it feels undignified. Explain that it lets them handle private matters themselves without calling anyone.
When to bring in a professional team
If your parent is starting to struggle to get up from the bed or toilet, has nearly fallen in the bathroom, or the family is unsure which chair to choose, one home visit from a physical therapist helps more than trying one model after another.
- Home physiotherapy: the therapist assesses leg strength, balance and how your parent sits and stands in their own room, recommends the chair height and position, teaches the caregiver safe transfers and sets exercises to help your parent do more by themselves. 1,800 baht per session, first session 1,500 baht until 31 December 2026, or 10 sessions for 15,000 baht. See home physiotherapy and home physiotherapy for knee arthritis and unsteady walking.
- Night-shift caregiver: if your parent gets up several times a night and the family wakes each time, a night-shift caregiver from 20:00 to 08:00 helps them up, keeps them clean and changes clothes. 1,800 baht per day with a three-day minimum, or 30,000 baht per month (one day off per week). See elderly care at home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best type of commode chair for an older adult?
The best one fits your parent: adjustable height, sturdy armrests and a backrest, non-slip feet or wheels that lock on every caster, and a weight capacity comfortably above their body weight. If someone helps with transfers, choose folding or removable armrests.
Is a folding commode chair a good idea?
Yes, if your home is small or you need to travel with it, but check that the opening lock is firm and the frame does not wobble when weight is put on one armrest. For daily use in one place, a non-folding model is usually steadier.
Can a commode chair be used as a shower chair?
Only if the manufacturer states it is suitable for the bathroom, made of rust-resistant material, with a seat that is not slippery when wet. If in doubt, a separate shower chair is safer.
How high should a commode chair be?
There is no single number for everyone. Adjust it until your parent sits with the whole sole of each foot flat on the floor and the hips level with or slightly above the knees. For transfers from bed, set the seat close to the height of the mattress.
Can a bedridden patient use a commode chair?
Yes, if they can sit balanced and be transferred safely with a caregiver's help; getting up to sit on a commode also keeps them moving. If they cannot sit balanced at all, ask a physical therapist to assess first and continue care in bed for now.
Does KIN rent commode chairs?
Yes, some models. Current availability and rental terms are on our medical equipment rental page, or message the team on LINE @KINHOMECARE for help choosing a model that suits your parent's room and body. Rental equipment is delivered within Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.
Talk to the KIN HomeCare team
If you are still unsure which chair your parent needs, describe their condition and share a photo of the bathroom. The team will suggest which equipment to start with and when a physical therapist should visit.
- Home physiotherapy: 095-767-6307 (+66 95 767 6307), alternative 061-881-9399
- Elderly care at home and equipment rental: 061-881-9399 (+66 61 881 9399)
- LINE @KINHOMECARE
- Free consultation; home care available nationwide
Prepared by the KIN HomeCare team · Prices as of September 2026; please confirm with our staff before booking.
