Abstract:

Evaluated the effect of grab bar placement and toilet seat height on ambulatory and nonambulatory older persons' ability to toilet independently and safely. Participants were 116 persons age 60 and over who could transfer independently on and off a toilet and who were cognitively intact. Sixty-six participants were ambulatory, and 50 were nonambulatory. The test apparatus consisted of a toilet room with accommodations for two toilet seat heights and four grab bar configurations. During eight videotaped trials (four grab bar configurations at two toilet heights), participants were asked to approach and get on the toilet, stay seated for a few seconds, and get off. After each trial, participants rated the safety, ease of use, and helpfulness of the grab bars. Video-based data were coded by two trained raters, and chi-square analysis was used to assess self-rated and video data on safety, difficulty, helpfulness, frequency and location of grab bar use, and frequency of assistive device use. Results indicated that grab bar configurations that were not code-compliant were preferred and were used more often than configurations that met Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). These results raise questions concerning the applicability of the ADAAG to the toileting needs of older people.