As we age, our muscle strength gradually begins to weaken, and we become much less mobile than we were in our younger years. We begin to experience physiological changes, like thinning skin and loss in bone density, and many of us develop arthritis, all of which can make going to the bathroom a very difficult experience. However, the good news is that making a small change, like using a toilet seat bidet, can make all the difference. Below we’ve listed a variety of common issues that seniors face, and how a bidet can make going to the bathroom a more comfortable and much safer experience for seniors with such issues.
Mobility. The cramped spaces of a bathroom and impaired mobility can make it difficult for seniors to properly wipe. In fact, wiping can actually be dangerous for those who can’t stand or maintain their balance without assistance. With a bidet, much less wiping is needed, if any at all, and you don’t have to stand up and sit down over and over again.
For those with Alzheimer’s or others who rely on a caregiver for assistance with wiping, a bidet eliminates any embarrassment of asking others for help, giving seniors a greater sense of independence. Simply put, bidets make bathroom hygiene a breeze.
Arthritis. Some bidets, like the Brondell Swash 300 Bidet Seat, come with a warm water wash, giving seniors with arthritis a soothing bathroom experience. The Swash 300 even features a heated seat with adjustable temperature controls, so you can set the temperature to your liking. Many bidets have the misconception of being difficult to operate, but unlike other bidet seats, the Swash 300 comes with a handy 6-button remote control, so you can control the direction of the stream, the water pressure, and the seat and water temperatures.
Thinning skin. As we age, our skin becomes thinner, and as a result, the skin on our backsides becomes much more sensitive to wiping. The warm, gentle spray of a bidet eliminates the need for repeated wiping with toilet paper and bathroom wipes, meaning less cuts and sore spots.
Hemorrhoids. Because many seniors struggle with constipation as they age, hemorrhoids also tend to become a common issue. Since you don’t have to wipe as much with a bidet, a bidet is a much safer solution for those with hemorrhoids. Incontinence. Many senior citizens, especially women, face incontinence at one point or another. Often times, incontinence can result in infections when urine remains in the genital area, but using a bidet is a great way to stay clean and wash away bacteria. Not all bidet seats are the same, so be sure to use a bidet that has a feminine wash option, like the Swash 300.
Diarrhea. Like incontinence, diarrhea is also a common issue that seniors face, especially when you consider the ways that our dietary needs change as we age. The spray of a bidet will leave you feeling clean and refreshed, and will also rid your backside of residual bacteria in places you might miss when wiping.
Hygiene and bathing. For seniors who rely on caregivers for assistance with bathing, having the genital and anal regions cleaned by another can not only be embarrassing, but can also be quite painful. The warm water wash of a bidet is an outstanding alternative to scrubbing the genital and anal area by hand. Additionally, using a bidet eliminates the need for a senior to move around in any awkward or potentially dangerous positions in the bathtub.