Trouble Getting to the Toilet? is written by Randy Ching, of ForG Medical. This article is published in the Spring/Summer 2026 Edition of Vibrant Senior Options Resource Guide
My 75-year-old mother (Grace) battled a neurodegenerative disease that made it difficult for her to get to the toilet. While we were fortunate to have a daytime caregiver, Dad was on duty in the evenings, nights, and weekends, leaving him exhausted. As her disease progressed, getting to the toilet became one of their biggest challenges; at the time, bedpans and diapers/briefs were their only options. Mom hated both.
As an engineer, I told myself there must be something I could design to make it easier for Mom (and the many other women with mobility challenges) to “pee” while lying or sitting. We call this solution the P-funnel™.
Solution
The P-funnel is an affordable, non-invasive urination aid for individuals who are continent but have trouble getting to the toilet. Specifically engineered for the female anatomy, the P-funnel offers a comfortable and easy-to-use alternative to bedpans or diapers/briefs when lying in bed or in a seated position. With practice, the P-funnel can be used with minimal assistance, thus fostering independence and preserving dignity.
Design
The design of the P-funnel is simple and elegant. Made from eco-friendly pulp, the open end of the funnel-shaped device conforms to the body, and the tip of the P-funnel connects to a suction canister system. With the canister under low suction, urine flows through the P-funnel and tubing into the canister. The canister can be easily emptied and cleaned.
Advantages
- Promotes continence, independence, and dignity
- Safe and hygienic
- Allows monitoring of urine output
- Eases caregiver workload
Comitment to Dignity and Better Care
The P-funnel™ was created from a deeply personal caregiving challenge, with the goal of restoring comfort, dignity, and independence for women facing mobility limitations. By offering a simple and practical alternative to traditional solutions, it helps ease the burden on both users and caregivers. ForG Medical is committed to improving everyday quality of life through thoughtful, client-centered design.
Randy Ching, Ph.D.
CEO and Founder
ForG Medical
| rc@forgmedical.com |
