1
Stability
The seat should feel secure during the entire sit-to-stand transfer, not shift or wobble when weight is transferred through it.
Bathroom Made Easier
Getting on and off the toilet shouldn't feel like a daily workout.
Practical guidance for older adults and caregivers on making toilet transfers easier, safer and less frustrating — without making the bathroom feel like a hospital room.
Physical therapist reviewedCaregiver-friendlyAging-in-place focused
Start here
First, figure out what is actually making the transfer hard.
A raised seat can help some people, but toilet height is only one part of the equation. Leg strength, pain, balance, available arm support and the bathroom setup all matter.
Low toilet height
Leg weakness
Knee / hip pain
Limited balance
What I look for
A raised toilet seat should solve a problem — not create three new ones.
These are the features I care about most when I evaluate bathroom equipment for an older adult or family member.
2
Useful height
Enough added height to reduce the demand of standing up, without making the person's feet dangle or creating a poor position.
3
Good arm support
Handles can be useful when a person needs a stable place to push from, provided the setup and transfer strategy are appropriate.
4
Easy cleaning
Bathroom equipment has to be practical. If it is difficult to clean around, families quickly become frustrated with it.
5
Simple setup
A product meant to improve independence should not require a complicated daily routine or constant repositioning.
6
A normal-looking bathroom
Appearance matters more than people admit. Equipment that blends into the home can be easier for an older adult to accept and actually use.
My current raised-seat recommendation
The Lunderg Solva Raised Toilet Seat with Handles
I appreciate products that solve a real mobility problem without unnecessarily making the home feel medical. After personally testing this seat, these are the features that stood out to me.
✓Adds 3 inches of height to reduce the distance needed to sit and stand.
✓Bolts to the toilet rather than relying on freestanding legs around the base.
✓Removable handles allow the setup to be adjusted when appropriate.
✓Quick-release hinge makes it easier to remove the seat for cleaning underneath.
✓Soft-close lid and a more traditional toilet-seat appearance.
✓30-day risk-free trial, free U.S. shipping, HSA/FSA eligibility and lifetime warranty.
See the Lunderg Solva
10% off: James10
Choose the correct toilet shape (round vs. elongated) before ordering. Manufacturer product details and offers can change; confirm current terms at checkout.
Watch my review of the Lunderg Solva raised toilet seat.
Is it right for you?
I wouldn't recommend a raised seat to everyone.
That is exactly why I want families to look at the transfer — not just the product.
It may be worth considering when…
- Standing from a standard-height toilet is consistently difficult.
- Lower-surface transfers aggravate knee or hip pain.
- An appropriate amount of added height improves the person's mechanics.
- The individual can safely use the handles or other recommended support.
- The goal is to make daily bathroom transfers more manageable at home.
Get individualized guidance when…
- The person requires physical assistance to stand or transfer.
- They have frequent falls, major balance loss or unpredictable buckling.
- They cannot safely control the descent back to the toilet.
- Added seat height leaves the feet unsupported or creates positioning problems.
- You are unsure whether a raised seat, safety frame, grab bar or another setup is most appropriate.
Don't forget the body
Equipment can make the transfer easier. Strength and movement still matter.
If appropriate for the person, working on leg strength, controlled lowering, balance and repeated sit-to-stand practice can address the physical side of toilet transfers too.
A
Practice from a safe surface
Controlled sit-to-stands from an appropriate chair can build the same movement pattern used in many bathroom transfers.
B
Build control on the way down
Slow stand-to-sits train eccentric leg control, which matters when lowering onto a toilet.
C
Use the right support
Countertops, rails and assistive equipment should be selected based on the individual's actual abilities and environment.
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Common questions
Before you order
How much height does the Solva add?
Lunderg currently lists the Solva as adding 3 inches of height.
Does it work on every toilet?
The raised seat is shape-specific. Lunderg sells round and elongated versions, so check your toilet shape before ordering.
Can the handles come off?
Yes. Lunderg describes the handles as removable.
Is it HSA/FSA eligible?
Lunderg currently states that its products are HSA/FSA eligible. Confirm eligibility and your account rules at the time of purchase.
What is the return / warranty policy?
Lunderg currently advertises a 30-day money-back period and a lifetime warranty for the raised toilet seat with handles. Verify current terms on the manufacturer's site.
Partnership disclosure: This page includes an affiliate/product recommendation for Lunderg. I have personally tested the product. If you purchase through my link or use my code, I may receive compensation at no additional cost to you. Partnerships like this help support the educational content I create. I only want to recommend products I would feel comfortable considering for myself, a patient or a loved one when clinically appropriate.