These are essentially chairs on wheels with a hole cut through the centre of the seat. A collecting pan is attached to the chair and can be removed for emptying. Commodes can also be placed over a toilet.

These are plastic or metal pans that are placed under a person’s body while the person is in bed. Bedpans come in several different sizes. Many people find it difficult to release their bowels or bladder while lying in bed, so give person who is ill time and privacy to use a bedpan. Lifting their head slightly with pillows or inclining the bed may help them feel more comfortable using a bedpan.

These are small bottles that can be used to collect urine from a penis.

These are tubes that healthcare professionals can insert into the bladder through the urethra. The tubes are attached to a drainage bag, which is strapped to the leg or hung on the side of the bed. Washing hands before and after handling the catheter and related equipment is essential to help prevent infection. The person’s genital area should be cleaned twice a day, and the catheter itself, which comes out of the body and attaches to the collection bag, should be cleaned at least once a day with soap and water. The collection bag should be emptied every day and cleaned with a vinegar-water solution.

These can be purchased from a health supply store. Briefs should be replaced as soon as they are wet or soiled. The person’s genital area should be cleaned using soap and water, working from front to back.