A person may need to use a commode if he needs to stay in bed most of the time. A commode is useful if a person is weak or unsteady. If he is at risk of falling, a commode may be safer than walking to the bathroom.bedside commode is a movable toilet that does not use running water. It looks like a chair with a toilet seat and has a bucket or container underneath. The container can be removed for cleaning after the commode is used. A commode can be placed beside the bed if a person cannot get to the bathroom.