ALS Toileting Devices

The following devices are used on or in place of a toilet. They are designed to help you be safe, comfortable, and more independent.

Rolling shower commode chair

a chair on wheels that can help you get safely from a bed or wheelchair to the shower and toilet
Typical Cost:
​$140–$300

Where can I get one?

Helpful Tips

  • Rolling shower chairs are designed for roll-in showers—not showers with raised lips or tubs.
  • There are many different types of rolling shower chairs. The best chair for you will depend on how much room is in your roll-in shower and your upper extremity strength.
  • You can either relieve yourself directly into the chair’s pail or remove the pail and roll it over the toilet.

Insurance Note

Medicare does not cover this item. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If it is not available from the loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.

Tilt-in-space shower commode chair

a chair on wheels with multiple adjustment and support options that can help you get safely from a bed or wheelchair to the shower and toilet
Typical Cost:
$1,000–$3,500

Where can I get one?

Helpful Tips

  • Rolling shower chairs are designed for roll-in showers—not showers with raised lips or tubs.
  • This tilt-in-space chair provides greater support than the standard rolling shower chair.
  • You can either relieve yourself directly into the chair’s pail or remove the pail and roll it over your toilet.
  • There are many different types of rolling shower chairs. The best chair for you will depend on how much room is in your roll-in shower and your upper extremity strength. ​

Insurance Note

Medicare does not cover this item. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If it is not available from the loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.

Commode chairs

portable toilets that can either be used at the bedside or placed over a standard toilet for more stability
 
Typical Cost: $35–$50

Where can I get one?

  • Try your local ALS Association loan closet first.
  • Indemedical: commode chair
  • Activeforever: commode chair
  • Stores like Walmart and CVS also have commode chairs.

Helpful Tips

  • Commode chairs have buckets that can be removed and cleaned.
  • When placing over a standard toilet for greater stability, the bucket may be removed.

Insurance Note

Medicare does not cover this item. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If it is not available from the loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.

Toilet-seat bidet

a toilet seat with an adjustable cleansing water spray for your genitalia and anus that can be installed on your existing toilet
Typical Cost:
​$330–$500

Where can I get one?

  • Try your local ALS Association loan closet first.
  • Amazon: bidet
  • Activeforever: bidet

Helpful Tips

  • A toilet-seat bidet is very helpful if you have weakness in your arms or hands.
  • Water can actually be more effective at cleaning you than toilet paper.
  • A toilet-seat bidet can help keep your independence.

Insurance Note

Medicare does not cover this item. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If it is not available from the loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.

Raised toilet seat with arms

an elevated toilet seat with handles that makes it easier to sit down and get back up
Typical Cost: $30–$60

Where can I get one?

  • Try your local ALS Association loan closet first.
  • Amazon: raised toilet seat with arms
  • Stores like Walmart and and CVS also sell raised toilet seats with arms.

Insurance Note

Medicare does not cover this item. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If it is not available from the loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.

Toilet safety frame

a frame with handles that makes it easier to sit down on the toilet and get back up
Typical Cost: $30–$45

Where can I get one?

Insurance Note

Medicare does not cover this item. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If it is not available from the loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.

Hinged raised toilet seat

an elevated seat that attaches to your toilet, lifts and lowers, and makes it easier to sit down and get back up
Typical Cost: $30–$60

Where can I get one?

Insurance Note

Medicare does not cover this item. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If it is not available from the loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.

Male and female urinal

a portable bottle used for urination
Typical Cost: $10–$15

Where can I get one?

  • Try your local ALS Association loan closet first.
  • Walgreens (online): male urinal, female urinal
  • Local stores like Walmart and CVS also sell portable urinals.

Helpful Tips

  • If getting out of your bed or wheelchair has become difficult, portable urinals can be convenient and help you save energy.
  • Portable urinals allow men and women to urinate in any position, whether in a bed or wheelchair.
  • You can use them in public restrooms if getting on and off a toilet is difficult.
  • Portable urinals are easy to hold and designed with leak-proof seals. They are intended to be washed and reused.
  • Many people find them more helpful than bedpans.

Insurance Note

Medicare does not cover this item. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If it is not available from the loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.

External male condom catheter

a rubber seal that fits over your penis and drains through a tube into a bag strapped to your leg
 
Typical Cost: $10–$15

Insurance Note

Medicare will cover 80% of the cost.

The remaining 20% should be covered Medicaid and private insurance. If you don’t have Medicaid and/or private insurance, you may have a co-pay.

Where can I get one?

  • Condom catheters will be prescribed at your ALS clinic appointment and the order will be sent to a Medicare provider.  
  • Delivery can take 5-7 business days. The DME provider will contact you to make delivery arrangements.

Helpful Tips

  • Condom catheters are external. Nothing is inserted into your penis.
  • They allow you to urinate in any position—standing, sitting, or lying down.
  • Condom catheters can help you sleep better through the night without getting up to go to the bathroom.
  • They can also be extremely helpful when you are out of the home, need to urinate, and lack an easy way to get to a toilet.
  • Condom catheters are not reusable or rewashable. Medicare will pay for 35 external catheters per month.
  • ​Size does matter—when it comes to fitting your catheter. If you get the wrong size, you may experience unpleasant leaking. Use a sizing chart.

Back to Bathroom Equipment

Equipment Safety

​Consult your physical or occupational therapist before buying or using any medical equipment. Also ask your local ALS Association chapter to assess your equipment needs.

To avoid unnecessary injuries, you and your caregiver(s) should receive training from your physical or occupational therapist on how to safely and properly use each piece of equipment.