Using the toilet

For more information, visit the Parkinson’s UK website (last updated July 2026).

A raised toilet seat can help you get up more easily from being sat down on  the toilet.

A grab rail can help you get on and off the toilet. You can also use a grab rail to help you balance while standing and using the toilet. Toilet grab rails are usually supplied by social services or your local social work department.

A hand-held urinal may help if you need to go to the toilet urgently, but can’t get out of bed or a chair quickly enough. Some people use a portable toilet called a commode. This means they don’t have to walk far at night if they need the toilet urgently or often.

You can buy discreet disposable pads to place in your underwear to help manage incontinence. Some men who have problems getting to the toilet in time to pass urine, or with leaking urine (called urinary incontinence), prefer to use a sheath. A sheath fits over the penis and collects urine in a leg bag. You can then empty the leg bag into the toilet and clean the bag between uses.

Items like these are often available from specialist continence nurses or services, district nurses or with a GP prescription.