Toilet aids such as Sammons Preston Toilet Aid are beneficial for people with limited mobility, the disabled, seriously sick, and the elderly. These tools make it much easier for people to use the toilet and maintain personal cleanliness and hygiene. They eliminate the need for assistance when using the bathroom, thus restoring the independence and dignity of these groups. They also save the caregivers from the repeated task of assisting these people in using the toilet without creating an unnecessary mess.
If we agree to be honest for a minute, being assisted to use the toilet is unsettling and embarrassing for most people. Everyone wants their privacy whenever they use the toilet, and this is a basic need. However, the seriously ill, elderly, and the disabled may not always have the luxury of using the bathroom unassisted. Luckily, modern technology has come to their rescue by making it easier and more relaxing to use the toilet despite the limitations. Today, we have so many toilet aids in the market, and choosing the most effective ones is a difficult call. To save you from the agony of trying different aids, we will explore Sammons Preston Toilet Aid and let you in on its pros and cons. The information will help you to decide if it is worth buying.
Overview
The Sammons Preston Toilet Aid is a must-have product in any household with an elderly, handicapped, or other people who cannot reach their privates after using the toilet. The designers of this toilet aid understand how difficult it is to ask for help when using the toilet, so they developed a handy and functional product. The aid’s design makes it easy to use, and the construction makes it durable, sturdy, reliable, and lightweight. It only weighs 2.5 ounces and is 10 inches long. Although it looks like a very simple tool, it is very functional and eliminates the need for help after using the bathroom.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to use design
- Ergonomic design for single-handed wiping
- 10 inches long
- Durable construction
Cons
- Too thin to offer good grip
- Prone to folding during use
What is the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid made of?
The Sammons Preston Toilet Aid is made of metal and plastic. Its rod is primarily made of strong metal, while the tip is made of high-quality plastic. The plastic tip makes it easier to hold a wet wipe or tissue paper. This toilet aid weighs only 2.5 ounces, and the rod is only 10 inches long. The length of this tool is perfect for the average adult. It allows the user to reach their private parts for easier cleaning. All the construction materials are safe and will not irritate your skin or privates during use. The finishing is also smooth, so it will not scratch or tear your body.
Our Sammons Preston Toilet Aid Review
My 84-year-old mother, who lives in my house, recently expressed that it was becoming harder for her to clean herself after using the toilet. This was partly attributed to her arthritic hands that have been in a lot of pain the last couple of months. She also has other complications that come with advanced age. Initially, I thought of hiring a full-time caregiver as a feasible solution, but she opposed it and wanted her independence. Besides, she did not feel comfortable with the idea of someone else cleaning her body after using the toilet.
That’s when I decided to read and research more about toilet aids. I also consulted a great aunt about the matter, and she recommended getting a Sammons Preston Toilet Aid. She claimed that it had helped some of her old friends in their assisted living facility. I trusted her advice and bought this toilet aid. To be honest, it was not exactly what I imagined. Even so, it has helped my mother, and she can use the toilet without assistance. She has aspects she likes and dislikes about it, and we will be exploring them in this article. We will evaluate its softness, ease of use, range of motion, value for money, and ease of use.
Kindly note that the views expressed may be subjective because they are strictly based on her experience with the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid so far.
Softness (7.6/10)
When I ordered the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid for my mother, I was worried that a metallic tool would scratch, pull, or push her skin. No one wants to deal with injuries in the private region as they make ordinary things like sitting down a struggle. When the aid was delivered, I unboxed it immediately out of sheer curiosity. I was surprised to see that it was not as hard and rough as I had imagined.
The metal rod was coated with a white material that was very smooth to touch. However, it was not very soft. I liked the surface because it would not harm my mother. The tip of the tool was made of plastic. While I expected this bit to be very soft, it was not. I later realized that using a very soft material would make the aid useless as it cannot hold the wet wipe or paper towel. Therefore, the designers needed to strike a balance between functionality and softness.
When my mother used this product for the first time, she expressed that it did a relatively good job. She loved that it was not too hard but acknowledged that it would have been better if the plastic tip was a little softer. Although the aid did not hurt her skin, her shaky hands unintentionally pressed against it a little too hard. The challenge has since been resolved because she has mastered how to use it well.
Easy to Clean (8.5/10)
The Sammons Preston Toilet Aid has a relatively simple design, unlike many other toilet aids in the contemporary market. Since she started using it, my mother has been cleaning this toilet aid after use. She has reported that it is very easy to clean, mainly because of the simple and uncomplicated design. It does not have corners that would make some areas hard to reach.
The plastic tip is easy to clean and maintain in white. It does not attract stains, and neither does it require a strong bleach to clean. The white coating on the metal rod is very smooth, which makes scrubbing it with a soft brush or scouring pad effortless. It does not stain easily, and neither does it absorb color from the pink toilet tissue that mom prefers using.
The ease of cleaning is also because it is lightweight and easy to hold with one hand. She can easily use one hand to hold and the other to clean. For hygiene purposes, she disinfects her Sammons Preston Toilet Aid using a special cleaning and disinfecting solution once a week. She uses regular soap and water for daily cleaning.
Range of Motion (8.0/10)
One of the things mom loved about the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid was its angle, which made it easier to clean her privates after using the toilet. The curvature on the aid gives it a relatively wide range of motion, so she can clean herself just like she would if she did not have any physical limitations. She can move the tool well for a front-to-back wipe that health experts recommend for all women. The 10-inch length is also perfect because it allows her to clean herself without straining her fragile hands.
Easy to Use (7.0/10)
The first few times mom used this product, she was frustrated. She tried to hide her dissatisfaction, but I saw it in her face. Fortunately, she has now mastered how to use it and is quite pleased with it. The fact that it takes a bit of time to get used to makes me deduct a point. During her first use of this toilet aid, mom noted that she had to manually remove the toilet paper after use and discard it in the toilet bowl before flushing. She felt that the tool should have had a mechanism for releasing the used wet wipe or toilet tissue into the bowl.
The other challenge that she encountered but had to get used to was the size of the metal bar. It was too thin to get a firm grip, mostly because she has arthritic hands. The limited grip made her frustrated and angry. However, her condition has improved, and she is no longer in excruciating hand pain, so the ease of use has improved.
Value for Money (8.0/10)
If you have searched for toilet aids from various online and physical stores, you know that some are costly ones out there as well as some affordable ones. How do you strike a balance between functionality and cost? One of the reasons I agreed to purchase the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid for my mom was because I was on a budget, and it was affordable. I did not feel like this purchase dented my pocket.
The only reason this aspect does not get a perfect score is that the aid has minimal features because of its simple design. The absence of the button feature that could have made it much easier to use makes me feel slightly dissatisfied. Overall, it has served mom well, and it continues to hold its value as I write this review.
Final Verdict 7.8
From the aspects discussed above, you can tell that the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid is quite simple and functional, but there is still room for improvement. While mom and I agree that it has made life easier since she started using it, we feel that a toilet aid with a push-button would be a lot easier to use. It also takes a bit of time to get used to, especially because it tends to bend during use.
Despite these limitations, my mom loves her Sammons Preston Toilet Aid because it offers a relatively wide range of motion and is extremely easy to clean. I give it a thumbs up for being an affordable product that seems to do the job well. Going by the discussed pros and cons, mom and I feel like an overall score of 7.8/10 is befitting for this toilet aid. I do not think I will repurchase this product, but I would recommend it to people looking for a very simple and affordable toilet aid.
[FAQ’s] Consumer Questions & Answers
Is the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid easy to use?
Yes, it is relatively easy to use. If you follow the user instructions provided, the aid should not be hard to use. However, you may require a bit of time to get used to it, so be patient with yourself. Once you master how to use it, it is very easy to use.
Is this toilet aid heavy? Can I use it with one hand?
No, the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid is not heavy. It has a net weight of about 2.5 ounces, so it is very easy to hold with one hand.
What are the dimensions of this toilet aid?
Sammons Preston Toilet Aid is 10 inches long.
Is the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid durable?
Yes, it is very durable. However, you should take proper care of it to make sure it lasts long. It is essential to clean and dry it after use. You also have to store it properly in places where it will not get scratched by sharp objects that could destroy the plastic tip and the white coat covering the metallic rod.
Does the Sammons Preston Toilet Aid come with user instructions?
Yes, it does.