When assisting a disabled member of the opposite sex,which restroom is the correct one to use ?

Question

My husband was unable to help himself in the restroom, and needed my help, Do I use the mens or womens Restroom

Answer 1

Good question!

As a carer the men's restroom is preferable if no disabled or family toilets are available.

If using regular men's rest room, announce a woman is coming into the toilets as you enter, and that you are only there to assist your husband.
I don't think men would take accept-ion to you being in the men's toilet, where as woman may feel a little put out having a man in ladies toilet, even if explaining your presence.

Answer 2

If it were a nice area (like a department store), and you felt comfortable doing so, I would use the men's restroom. I think that would be more comfortable for your husband. I know that when my brother was little, my mom wanted to take him to the women's restroom with her but the other women in the bathroom were offended, even though he was only five or six. Personally, I wouldn't be offended if I saw a woman helping her husband in the women's bathroom; but maybe your husband would feel uncomfortable about it. But if you're in an area you don't feel safe in, always choose the women's restroom. The problem with the men's restroom is there's less privacy because of the urinals.

I know that some places have a "family" restroom with a changing table that either men or women can use because not all men's restrooms have baby changing tables. I think those should be in every place there's a restroom.

Answer 3

Speaking from experience as i am a quadriplegic. There are advantages and disadvantages to both genders restrooms. The ideal is the family restroom, but as some of you know that is not always an option. One thing that we have done in a case where the family restroom is not available is ask an employee of the establishment to stand by the entry of the restroom, either the mens or the women's, and inform anyone going in of the situation and that it will just be a few minutes. I have yet had any problems with doing it that way. Just another option for you to try.

Answer 4

The restroom of the person with the disability. For a woman, the handicapped stall is usually bigger than the one in the mens. If your friend just needs help getting to the bathroom, you can wait outside the door. If you are needed to help in the restroom with her, do so. If anyone comes in and questions you, simply say I am assisting my diabled friend. You can also say: "I am helping my diabled friend, If that makes you uncomfortable, you can help her and I can go out in the hall." Be positive and happy when you say that. Say it like you are hoping you can do everything to make the person comfortable with the situation.

Answer 5

a very interesting question. I am assuming you are in the USA.

This was something I thought about - just like you - when I was on a holiday in the USA with a friend who uses a powerchair. Fortunately we were both male and there wasn't a problem. But the thought about different sexes caregiver/cared-for-person did enter my mind.

In Australia, we are more fortunate in that wheelchair accessible toilets are 99% of the time a separate room to all other toilets. Even if in the malls, if there are two separate walk-ins for male and female, EACH separate walk in will have it own accessible toliets apart from the main entry to other toilets. So that regardless of what gender you are - you can use it. And people here DO look down with great disapproval for anyone who goes in there without the need to (ie if they were not disabled, mother with prams or elderly with mobility problems).

Anyway - that is my observartion. Not sure what the solution is for you guys in the USA. Sorry - didn't really answer your question.

Answer 6

I would say use whatever restroom matches the disabled person's sex. But that is a hard question, and there's no right or wrong either way. The only thing important is to assist the person and try to protect their dignity as best as you can.
If I went into the restroom and a woman was in there assisting her disabled husband, it wouldn't bother me to wait outside until they were finished. I'm sure it wouldn't bother the ladies either.

Answer 7

Well if it a restroom that you can lock the door for privacy and only you and him are in there, then use the Lady's room. You might discreetly ask to speak to management if the need comes up . Maybe it would be advisable to ascertain the restroom arrangement in the places you go to ahead of time if possible.

Answer 8

I think you would ask the disabled individual what their preference is. If they don't mind, then I would opt for the restroom that would make it the easiet to manuever around in. I don't know if the mens room has an enclosed stall for persons with disabilities,, but the ladies rooms do.

Good luck....and don't forget to take care of you too!

Answer 9

Respect the gender of the person - use that as a guide
not sure where you're from, in my country we have separate restrooms for disabled that are generally single, easy wheelchair access and non-gender specific

Answer 10

I would either use a family restroom if available, or ask an employee to stand at the door of the men's or ladies' room and let people know you're in there and they can wait, or come in if they're comfortable.