Health and Wellbeing
What is a Commode?
If you or a loved one has recently been discharged from hospital – or if mobility has changed due to age, illness or injury – getting to the loo in time may feel difficult or unsafe. In these situations, a commode (also called a commode chair, commode toilet or bedside commode) can offer a practical and dignified solution.
What is a commode, or commode chair?
If you’re considering purchasing a commode for yourself, or a loved one, you may want to be aware of these key advantages.
A commode chair is a portable toilet that isn’t connected to the plumbing. It includes a removable chamber or pan that you or a carer take out and empty after use.
Because you can place a commode next to a bed or in a living space, it reduces the need to walk to the bathroom or use a bedpan – helping you maintain comfort, dignity and independence.
What is a commode chair used for?
- People recovering from surgery (such as hip or knee replacement).
- Those who experience dizziness, fatigue, or reduced balance.
- People living with conditions affecting muscle strength or joint movement.
- People experiencing incontinence, particularly at night.
- Anyone for whom bathroom distance or home layout makes access difficult.
What are the advantages of commode chairs?
A commode helps you live at home more comfortably, while reducing the risk of falls.
It's safer
The commode requires minimal assistance, allowing older people or those with limited mobility to remain independent at home when going to the loo.
Bathroom floors can be slippery, and rushing to reach the loo in time can increase your risk of falls. According to WebMD, bedside commodes lower the need to move quickly, which is a common cause of falls among older adults and people with mobility challenges.¹
Even with grab bars or raised toilet seats installed, transfers on and off the loo can become more difficult over time. A commode allows a person to go to the toilet in a safer, easier-to-reach location.
It gives you more independence
A bedside commode can support independence, especially for people experiencing urge incontinence, where the need to urinate comes on suddenly and strongly.³
Having a commode close by reduces urgency and effort, enabling a person to go to the toilet with minimal or no assistance, which can feel reassuring.
See also: How to help someone living with mobility issues.
It offers better privacy
Using the toilet is personal. A commode means carers only need to assist when needed – for example, helping someone sit or stand - and then step out of the room. Some people also like to position a privacy screen beside the commode for added privacy.
It's a time saver
Family carers and professional carers often juggle multiple tasks. With a commode, the person using it can take their time, while their carer is free to focus on other jobs. This can make routines at home smoother.
It's cost effective
Adapting a bathroom – which often includes widening doorways, fitting rails or adding a downstairs toilet – can be expensive. A commode offers a practical alternative.
In some cases, commode chairs may even be available through the NHS, depending on assessment and eligibility.⁴
Some commodes also have wheels, which allow you to move and position it over the existing toilet. This means you can flush waste away immediately, without carrying the pan around.
What are the different types of commode chairs?
When searching for a new commode chair, there are a few different options for you to look at. Oak Tree Mobility has identified the key features of the most popular commode choices available.
Portable commode chairs
Portable commodes have four wheels, and are designed to be moved between rooms. They usually have armrests and a removable pan, and some can also be used as a shower chair in accessible bathrooms.
They can sometimes be wheeled over the toilet, combining mobility support with familiar bathroom use. These are sometimes called 3-in-1 commodes (because you can use them bedside, as a frame over a toilet, and for stability in the shower).
Safety tip: Always make sure the wheel brakes are locked before sitting down. You don’t want to roll off during the crucial moment!
Static commode chairs
Static commodes don’t have wheels, but they can be carried or lifted between rooms. Some static versions are designed to look like ordinary upholstered chairs, helping them blend into the home.
Features typically include:
- A removable lid or seat pad for discretion.
- Armrests for support when sitting or standing.
- A removable pan for easy emptying.
Safety note: Static commode chairs can be heavy. Get help moving the chair to your desired location if you’re currently living with mobility challenges, or are at risk of injury doing any kind of lifting.
Bariatric commode chairs
Bariatric commodes are designed to support higher weight capacities, typically up to 600 lbs (42.8 stone).
They tend to offer:
- Wider seats for comfort.
- Extra stability.
- Removable arms to make sideways transfers easier.
Safety note: As with all commode chairs, make sure you get help positioning yourself and standing up after use if mobility is a challenge.
Things to consider before buying a commode
Take into account the person’s range of mobility, build and lifestyle. Oak Tree Mobility has shared a few key points to consider when buying a commode chair:
- Seat height and width (feet should be flat on the floor).
- Weight capacity.
- Back and arm support.
- Whether wheels are needed.
- Whether the commode will sit bedside or be used over the toilet.
- How easy the materials are to clean and maintain.
- Whether the design should be discreet and blend with home furniture.
What's the difference between toilet and commode?
There is sometimes a bit of confusion between the two terms. The difference is simple:
- A toilet is a fixed bathroom fixture connected to the plumbing.
- A commode is a portable chair with a toilet pan that is emptied manually.
The word commode originally comes from the French for ‘convenient’. In the 18th and 19th centuries, commodes were commonly kept in bedrooms before indoor plumbing became standard. While bathrooms are now built into most homes, the practical convenience of the commode remains especially valuable for people who find bathroom access challenging.
A step-by-step guide to using a commode safely
- Place the commode where you or the person you’re looking after can approach it easily.
- Make sure the commode is on a stable, non-slip surface. Most come with rubber-tipped feet or locking casters to keep them in place.
- If the commode has wheels, make sure they're locked.
- Adjust the chair height if possible, to make sitting and standing easier.
- Make sure the detachable pan is securely in place, and contains a little water (this will make it easier to clean later on).
- Carefully position yourself onto the commode. If you’re a carer, help the user from their bed or chair onto the commode, and stay with them. Alternatively, give them a way to signal when they’re finished or need help, and leave the room until needed.
- After use, carefully stand up using the armrests. If you are a carer, put on some disposable gloves, then help the user stand and get clean. Remember to dry them so they’re comfortable afterwards.
- Wash your hands, or help the user clean theirs.
- Remove and empty the pan into the toilet. Flush the contents down the toilet bowl, then clean the pan with antibacterial cleanser and water. Rinse well, then return it to the commode. If you’re a carer, do this step after helping the user back to bed or their chair.
Extra tips and advice
- Use night lights to improve visibility in the dark. This minimises the risk of falls and injury.
- Remember to clean the commode thoroughly, taking care to inspect for cracks or tears, which can become dirty.
- If you are helping someone use a commode, remember that they might feel emotionally uncomfortable about the process, especially if they are a member of the opposite sex. Make sure you are understanding to minimise embarrassment.
- Make sure the commode is appropriate for your or the user’s weight. Your manufacturer should be able to offer advice on limits. Typically, those over 250lbs (17.8 stone) will need a bariatric commode.
- Toilet bowl cleaners might damage the plastic bowl, so use household disinfectant, and rinse with water after cleaning.
- Regardless of commode type, those with limited mobility should be supported or trained in safe sitting and standing techniques.
FAQs: your commode questions answered
Still got questions around what a commode is and how to use one? Find more information below – including how to use a commode when there are hip and knee issues.
How do you empty a commode?
Remove the pan, empty it into the toilet, rinse with warm water and clean with an appropriate cleaning solution.
How to use a transfer board from bed to commode?
A transfer board can help bridge the gap between surfaces. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist should demonstrate this technique to avoid injury.
How to use a commode with hip precautions?
Avoid leaning forward or twisting. Keep knees below hip level. A healthcare professional can talk you through safer transfer positions.
How to use a bedside commode after knee replacement?
A higher seat position and using the armrests to support movement can make sitting and standing more comfortable.
Who should use a bedside commode chair?
Anyone who is recovering from surgery or an injury, or is currently living with mobility challenges. This includes people who struggle to reach the loo in time.
How mobility aids can help you
At Oak Tree Mobility, we understand how important comfort and independence are in day-to-day life. Our team is here to help you explore options that support dignity and ease at home. Whether you’d like a custom-made rise and recline chair to make getting up that little bit easier – or an adjustable bed for a more comfortable night’s sleep – we are here to help.
Explore the collection at your own leisure – call 0808 258 0871 to request your free brochure, or book a home visit for you or a loved one.
