Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Every time I am in a public restroom I think I should start this topic here. I am willing to bet I am not the only one that has problems flushing the toilet with some of these newer types of toilets that no longer have a handle, but rather a button of some sort.
They can range from a tiny wee one it's hard to even find, on the wall....usually on the self flushing type of toilet system (you know, the ones that flush before you are ready, and/or don't get the toilet seat cover so you have to re-do it )------
-- (Good thing my legs are still in fairly good shape, so I can flush the tiny wall button kind with my foot now.)..........
to the worse ones, that have a large button on the top of tank, that I absolutely struggle with in a very massive, painful way, having to use both hands to help my poor thumbs to work it.
( add to it the fact that I refuse to touch these surfaces with my bare hands, and it is quite problemactic )
But maybe the worst offenders of all , have been at relatives' homes , with the dual flush system; at my BIL's home , his toilet is first of all, too low for me , then the button is on the side of tank in such an awkward place that not only does it hurt my hand but my back, as well.
Staying with another family member over Thanksgiving , they had a fancier one that I cannot recall the exact problem but had to figure out how to make it work.
Would love to hear your rants, funny stories or shared issues on this !
They can range from a tiny wee one it's hard to even find, on the wall....usually on the self flushing type of toilet system (you know, the ones that flush before you are ready, and/or don't get the toilet seat cover so you have to re-do it )------
-- (Good thing my legs are still in fairly good shape, so I can flush the tiny wall button kind with my foot now.)..........
to the worse ones, that have a large button on the top of tank, that I absolutely struggle with in a very massive, painful way, having to use both hands to help my poor thumbs to work it.
( add to it the fact that I refuse to touch these surfaces with my bare hands, and it is quite problemactic )
But maybe the worst offenders of all , have been at relatives' homes , with the dual flush system; at my BIL's home , his toilet is first of all, too low for me , then the button is on the side of tank in such an awkward place that not only does it hurt my hand but my back, as well.
Staying with another family member over Thanksgiving , they had a fancier one that I cannot recall the exact problem but had to figure out how to make it work.
Would love to hear your rants, funny stories or shared issues on this !
Our neighbors installed the push in kind and I LOATHE them. First of all, I worry that little kid fingers are pushing them in after poor wiping hygeine...and then they are HARD to push in and hold in til the flush occurs.
Totally with you on that.
(to solve sanitary question, I always use a square of toilet paper to flush..yes, I wash my hands but still, I'd rather not touch the handle)
Now for the top button, you need some form of "stick", such as a hairbrush, arthritis padded can opener, or some type of dog toy, and us this to push the button. Obviously,size is important so the pressing end will fit down inside the space around the button and so it will fit in a purse, or pocket. Padding on the handle used to press the button is important, to reduce pain while pressing, and if necessary, hold until flushing is completed.
The lower side lever is usually a new type of toilet design on the interior, so these button usually press easily, but must be pushed to their fullest amount for the flush cycle to complete. These toilets use a bucket dumping mechanism, which is why they must be fully pressed. Again, your stick of choice may be of some help in reaching this button and giving it a full push.
As for the two stage toilets, one buton for water and one for harder, just use the water. Suprisingly this is usually the longer flush cycle, so more likely to work on first flush.
If you worry about you "stick" getting germs on it, you can buy the doggie duty baggies, place one on the stick, press, and then throw it away when done. they are fairly inexpensive, and my local dollar store sells 100 for a dollar.
Hope these ideas are of some help!
(my life is one big ball of stress right now)
enjoyed the answers, ideas but the not flushing is just not an option.
it is a pet peeve though.
lol
inkjoy, from one dog owner/lover to another I can tell by your answers you are a dog person. ( I just bought a great dog brush with a padded handle ; too bad I love it more than the dog does )
to sum up though I still feel the manufacturers have not made these user friendly.
I do appreciate the post it note trick for the practicality of it...not that I normally carry post it notes with me, but now, I just might ! lol
since I am a hoverer, those self flushing ones get me in some crazy situations. ;-p