Written by Hulet Smith, OT
By accommodating toileting, showering and bathing, the all-in-one Rifton HTS eliminates the need to buy separate pieces of equipment for these activities.
 | Rifton SMALL HTS Hygiene and Toileting System View Product |
 | Rifton MEDIUM HTS Hygiene and Toileting System View Product |
 | Rifton LARGE HTS Hygiene and Toileting System View Product |
For children with mild to moderate disabilities, the Rifton HTS promotes ideal positioning on, over, and off the toilet.
A special needs toileting system is a rolling toileting & shower chair that provides support and positioning for all bathroom activities. It’s simply designed yet versatile enough to be used at home, at school, or in facility restrooms. A multi-use toileting system provides comfort and support for the user, and by reducing transfers in and out of multiple pieces of bathroom equipment, it decreases the physical strain on caregivers managing toileting and bathing activities.
When configured for use on the toilet, the Rifton HTS attaches directly to the toilet with one of two mounting bar styles you choose depending on your type of toilet. The mounting bar remains attached to the toilet, with the Rifton HTS clicking onto the mounting bar when in use.
A stationary or mobile base can be placed over the toilet only when it’s needed. The mobile base allows the user to stay in the Rifton HTS to move from room to room or into the shower.
Using a stationary or mobile Base, along with the optional commode pan, the Rifton HTS can be used as a commode wherever needed. Just as when using over the toilet, the mobile base allows the user to stay in the Rifton HTS to move from room to room or into the shower.
A mobile base used in conjunction with the tilt-in-space option keeps users who don’t have independent head and trunk control securely positioned while using the Rifton HTS. Showering is easier because the tilt angle helps keep water and soap out of the user’s face and drains water away so it doesn’t pool uncomfortably.
For traveling, the optional portability base delivers consistent positioning to facilitate the voiding process. It eliminates any contact with public toilets and comes with a carry bag that holds the seat, base, and most accessories.
As a multi-function piece of equipment, it serves as a hygiene and toileting chair that can be used in different environments, and comes with accessories to further customize it for the benefit of the user.
It won’t be outgrown for years, as its expandability and adjustability allows for five years of a child’s growth.
Being a multi-function product that will accommodate several years of growth, you can expect a long service life. In addition, it comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
The critical measurements that are adjustable for a proper fit include hip width, thigh depth, back height to head, and tilt, and no tools are required to make these adjustments.
Two seating packages are available depending on how much support the user will need. The foam molded optional integral skin cushions are easy to remove for cleaning, and they contour to the body for comfortable support that also protects the skin from shearing.
Whether it’s a class field trip or a family outing, being able to pack a lightweight, foldable frame into a carrying bag and take along to set up in any public restroom allows the user to be comfortably and safely supported while toileting.
Using the tilt-in-space base, lifts and transfers are made easier by tilting the chair forward and flipping the footboard up and out of the way.
In addition to reducing the physical strain on a caregiver during transfers, its push handles make the Rifton HTS easy to maneuver. Also, its design has a rear seat opening that allows for easy access for cleaning after toileting.
Kids with disabilities that affect their ability to use bathroom equipment can benefit from using a special needs toilet. Caregivers can also appreciate utilizing a special needs toilet that makes transfers easier and allows for multiple bathroom activities to be accomplished with the help of a single piece of multi-use equipment.
There are clear benefits to a child being clean and dry, including improved skin hygiene and physical comfort. In addition to that, there is also an important sense of independence and social inclusivity that comes from being able to use bathroom facilities.
For any child who has difficulty getting onto or staying on a standard toilet, the extra support and versatility provided by a special needs toilet facilitates easy toileting and helps caregivers provide with cleanup to maintain a hygienic environment after toileting.
“This is how a piece of equipment should be built!! I cannot say enough positive things about how much relief and comfort this flexible use personal hygiene chair has offered our family. Truthfully, I am shocked. I am more often disappointed by our equipment purchases even after intense research and trial, and wonder why products have not been more thoughtfully designed.” - Mom of User
“The Rifton HTS is yet another fantastic innovation. The creative and highly adjustable design gives children comfort, security and the opportunity for success while offering caregivers ease and simplicity. Our staff has high praise for its simple adjustability and ease of cleaning. The quality of this product is by far the best on the market.” - Physical Therapist
“After a year of unsuccessful training attempts with a particular student, we are excited to say that the first day we put him on a Rifton HTS he was so comfortable that he voided twice in the same day.” - Special Education Teacher
 | Seat and Back Pads for Rifton Large HTS Hygiene and Toileting System View Product |
The physical, developmental, and social benefits of a special needs toileting system contribute significantly to a child’s quality of life. Helping maintain a hygienic environment supports good health, proper support provides comfort and skin health, and being able to use the same bathroom as everyone else creates an atmosphere of inclusion for special needs kids.
Caring for a special needs child can wear on a caregiver, and the physical strain of meeting the needs of a growing child increases the risk of caregiver injury. The correct toileting system helps caregivers maneuver a child in and out of the bathroom, handle toileting and showering without lifting the child, and provides proper support and cleaning access for the child’s safety, comfort, and overall well-being.
Review our list of Special Needs Toilets and visit Caregiver University for more articles to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
