For any potty training or continence programme to be successful, the first priority is to make sure the individual feels secure. Secondly, comfort and safety are vital. For ordinary toileting (not including ACE or other bowel irrigation procedures), toileting time should not exceed 10 minutes.

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Adaptations for Toileting
For any potty training or continence programme to be
successful, the first priority is to make sure the individual
feels secure. Secondly, comfort and safety are vital. For
ordinary toileting (not including ACE or other bowel irrigation
procedures), toileting time should not exceed 10 minutes.
In practice, this means that when which they have been individually
using a toilet: assessed in the situation in which
it is to be used. Provision of side
• feet should be supported on and front hand rails can increase
either the floor or a footrest. stability, safety and independence.
Wherever possible, the simplest
• a comfortable toilet seat should solution should be tried first.
be provided, and if necessary a
padding on the seat that does not An assessment should be
“stick” to the skin. undertaken by either the child’s or
adult’s own occupational therapist;
• the individual should be able to or a referral should be made to the
maintain good sitting balance for appropriate agency. This would
the necessary period of time. be the case for any equipment or
adaptations which may assist with
• assistance should be within easy successful toileting.
calling distance, and the person
should only be left alone for short Health & Safety
periods and/ or have access to an
alarm. All carers who may be involved in
assisting in any toilet training or
Where good sitting balance is not continence care need to be fully
possible, the child or adult should aware of safety precautions; and
be supported by either a toilet/ trained in the correct positioning
potty chair and appropriate rails, for and movement of both chair and

2. individual. This should include both continence, and to encourage
voluntary and employed carers. independence. Wherever possible
they should be tried out in situ, in
Many toilet/shower chairs have the presence of an occupational
parts, including removable seat therapist. If an item is to be
and castors that are necessary, purchased privately, because of
but can be hazardous. Therefore the waiting list for assessment, it
all equipment should be checked should at least be viewed, before
regularly. costly provision is made.
Moving and handling guidelines Most areas now have Disabled
and regulations require that many Living Centres where members of
service users and their carers use the public can receive professional
hoists. LOLER (Lifting Operations advice from occupational therapists
and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and view or try out equipment.
governs the use and care of all Often an appointment is required.
lifting equipment: existing, second-
It is essential that the limitations of
hand, leased or new. LOLER states
that all equipment and accessories the service user’s own bathroom or
used to lift people must be serviced toilet, be made clear and taken into
every 6 months. consideration. For example, most
shower chairs require as much
Equipment doorway width as a wheelchair and
will need to be stored somewhere
There is a vast array of equipment when not in use.
available to assist with toileting and
Help us
Shine relies on people’s generosity and support so we can help our clients
who depend on us for help and advice - people with hydrocephalus, spina
bifida, their families and carers. To donate to Shine please visit
www.shinecharity.org.uk or call 01733 421329.
This information has been produced by Shine’s medical advisers and
approved by Shine’s Medical Advisory Committee of senior medical
professionals.
Shine - Registered charity no.249338
To see our full range of information sheets and to find out how to donate to
Shine please visit www.shinecharity.org.uk