With emerging technology and a host of new approaches to senior living, we’ve come a long way from the days of the “nursing homes” or “convalescent care” facilities of the past. In 2020, we’re learning more about what it means to provide not only the highest quality of care to our most beloved population but also how to do it in the most efficient and comfortable manner for both seniors and their caregivers. With evolving resources dedicated to improving everything from occupational therapy to speech pathology, even the way we’re handling transition services and modern patient advocacy, seniors have never had an easier, healthier, or more fulfilling outlook on assisted lifestyle. As more communities open up to advances in modern technology and methods, the quality of life for our seniors rises in conjunction.
One aspect of the senior and assisted living experience that has historically been problematic for seniors is mobility – specifically when it comes to the bathroom. In fact, one of the biggest drivers for loss of independence for many seniors is maintaining proper bathroom hygiene and safety. Bathroom mobility and hygiene are also routinely cited as the least desirable part of the job for many caregivers. In my time working with senior living communities, conversations routinely circle back to the day-to-day challenges with occupational hazards and advancements in surrounding modifications that could alleviate some of those stresses.
Thankfully, we’re now living in an era of innovation and have a novel solution for bathroom mobility in the electronic bidet seat. Aside from providing a more comfortable bathroom experience with features like heated seats and adjustable water temperatures, electronic bidet seats are a perfect solution for those looking to add an extra element of safety, independence, and dignity to their senior living communities.
Electronic bidet seats are essentially an easy, cost-effective way to convert existing toilets into fully-functional bidets for more complete hygiene and a better bathroom experience. These seats have been used for many years all over the world, specifically in Japan, and are now finding their way to the North American market where they not only provide a greater level of comfort for all users but are also a huge benefit to anyone experiencing bathroom mobility issues.
They work by diverting the flow from your freshwater supply with a T-valve and using a stream of water to cleanse the user in a much more effective and easier way than simply wiping with toilet paper. With an easy-to-use wireless remote control, features like warm water washes, warm air dryers, even built-in deodorizers and calming nightlights make the modern bidet experience virtually hands-free. Some electronic bidet seats, such as Brondell’s Swash 1400, even feature pre-programmable user settings and one-touch auto modes to allow an easier, more comfortable experience for those who may have trouble with memory or arthritis.
These high-tech innovations improve the quality of life for caregivers as well, as they eliminate the task of assisting with wiping or cleanup. Electronic bidet seats even allow caregivers to stand outside the bathroom while still being able to assist with the remote if need be. This leads to greater job satisfaction, higher caregiver staff retention, and less turnover – a win-win for both seniors and the communities they live in.
It’s no wonder that within today’s landscape of senior living communities, the emergence of new technology and innovations are making for a future far removed from the drab, difficult, and sometimes dangerous assisted living situations of the past. Communities with foresight, ambition, and open-mindedness to adopt these new tools are seeing an increase in not only profitability but in the quality of life for their residents.