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Many seniors find it challenging to clean up after themselves when using the toilet. Bidets aren’t often associated with the elderly, but they can be a great help as you age, making trips to the bathroom much easier to manage.
Bidets are good for the elderly because they provide them with much-needed independence and privacy when using the toilet. Because this bathroom fixture promotes better hygiene, it can also help to reduce the risk of infections and maintain good health.
This article will give you reasons why bidets improve the quality of life of seniors and what benefits the elderly can enjoy from using them.
1. Bidets Make It Easier To Wash Up
With age, seniors gradually develop mobility issues, which can be a problem when it comes to hygiene and self-care. It can make reaching and washing some areas of the body difficult. This is especially concerning since elderly people are more prone to developing infections or illnesses if their personal hygiene is not up to par.
Movements that require extensions, like reaching behind the body, can be particularly challenging, if not painful. As a result, cleaning up in the toilet often becomes an issue.
There are many ways to overcome mobility problems among seniors, and using the right bathroom fixtures is one option. Bathroom fixtures designed with accessibility in mind can make a huge difference in making life easier for those who have difficulty getting around.
These fixtures offer a range of features that can help make the user’s experience safer and more comfortable.
Although bidets are usually a thing of convenience to most people, they can be a great way to give the elderly some independence. For those who have limited mobility, washing once they’re done in the toilet can be difficult or even impossible. Installing a bidet eliminates all of that effort and gives them back their dignity and privacy.
The REWEE Handheld Bidet Sprayer (available on Amazon.com) is great for hard-to-reach places like the genitals. This handheld bidet also allows features adjustable water pressure to adjust for preference.
How Bathroom Hygiene Affects Health
Bathroom hygiene is vital for people of all ages, but it is especially crucial for seniors. Poor bathroom hygiene can lead to serious health problems, including urinary tract infections.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is typically not dangerous and might even naturally leave on its own in the face of the body’s defenses. However, more severe cases can be particularly dangerous if left untreated, especially for the elderly.
Risk factors for urinary tract infection among seniors include:
- Reduced ability to fight off infection
- Underlying medical conditions
- Catheters or similar devices
Urinary tract infections may be a common occurrence among the elderly, but there are many steps that seniors or their caregivers can take to prevent them.
Lifestyle changes can help reduce UTI risk among the elderly. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, helps to dilute urine and reduce the concentration of bacteria.
Avoiding constipation also helps, as it can lead to bacterial build-up in the intestines. So, increasing fiber and fluid intake to ease bowel movements can significantly reduce the risk.
Nevertheless, the most important step is to maintain good hygiene. This means keeping the area around the urethra clean.
Using a bidet to clean up after using the toilet is a great choice, as water is much more effective than just toilet paper.
Aside from washing up, here are a few simple steps that seniors or their carers can take to maintain good bathroom hygiene:
- Wash their hands thoroughly after using the restroom.
- Clean the toilet regularly with disinfectant wipes or spray.
- Change into fresh clothing after bathing.
- Pay special attention to areas that are prone to sweat and dirt.
- Use a clean towel to dry off after bathing.
Why Pay Attention to Hygiene?
Good hygiene is an important part of preventative health care that should not be overlooked, especially among seniors. Proper hygiene can help to protect the elderly from a variety of illnesses, diseases, and infections, as well as improve their overall quality of life.
Using a bidet to maintain good hygiene has many benefits:
- Prevents illness and disease. Bidets are designed to provide a more thorough wash than traditional methods since they use water instead of paper or wipes. This helps minimize any germs on the hands after using the restroom, which can easily spread via contact with other surfaces.
- Improves seniors’ overall quality of life. Good hygiene is not just about looking good, but it’s also about feeling good. When seniors are able to keep up with their routine washing habits, it improves their comfort level and boosts their self-esteem. It allows them to relax and enjoy life, which is something every senior deserves regardless of age or physical condition.
- Improves mental health. Cleanliness has been linked with improved mental health, as it can help reduce anxiety and depression levels.
2. Using a Bidet Can Reduce the Risk of Falls in the Bathroom
Falls in the bathroom are common, especially for seniors. According to a study published in PubMed Central, falls in the bathroom are twice as likely to cause an injury compared to falls in other areas of the home.
Bathrooms can be slippery and typically have hard surfaces and edges, which can lead to injuries if you fall. However, installing safety products and appropriate bathroom fixtures can significantly minimize the risk.
When seniors use a bidet, they don’t have to worry about losing their balance while reaching for toilet paper or trying to wipe. Bidets are much easier to use as they require very little effort on the user’s part.
Additional Ways To Make the Bathroom Safer for Seniors
Falls and slips are two of the most common causes of injuries for the elderly and can lead to head injuries and fractures. There are many ways to make the bathroom safer for seniors. Some simple changes can make a big difference in preventing falls and injuries. Consider the following tips:
- Install grab bars in the bathroom for standing and sitting. Grab bars such as the Vive Grab Bar for Showers (available on Amazon.com) provide good support and stability when getting up from the toilet or getting in and out of the tub. This grab bar is made with quality steel and can be easily mounted according to your needs.
- Ensure that there is plenty of lighting in the bathroom. Use night lights so seniors can see where they are walking if they need to get up at night.
- Clear clutter from the floor. Ensure that rugs are secure and don’t have any edges that could curl up and cause someone to trip.
- Make sure that seniors are using the properly sized toilet seat. Small toilet seats make it harder to balance, and toilet seats that are too big make it harder to stand.
- Keep the floors clean and dry. Wet floors can be very slippery, and even a “minor” fall can lead to serious injuries. Be sure to mop up any spills immediately, and consider putting non-slip mats where seniors walk barefoot.
Despite your efforts, your elderly parents may still experience a fall off the toilet or in the bathroom. In this case, you should stay calm and first check the person for broken bones. You can learn more about what to do in my comprehensive guide. Click on the link to start reading. What To Do When an Elderly Person Falls off the Toilet
3. Bidets Are Better for Delicate Skin and Medical Conditions
Wiping with toilet paper can be extremely painful and irritating for seniors with conditions like hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Bidets can provide comfort and relief by cleansing the area with water instead of harsh paper.
Bidets also benefit older adults with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. The constant wiping and scrubbing necessary to clean with toilet paper can irritate and worsen these conditions. Bidets offer a much gentler way to cleanse without causing further irritation.
How To Care for the Elderly Sensitive Skin
Our skin becomes thinner, drier, and less elastic as we age, and the fatty tissues below the skin decrease. Furthermore, there is less natural oil production, which will dry the skin.
Due to these changes, the elderly are more likely to have sensitive skin that is easily irritated. They are also more susceptible to skin problems such as dryness, itching, redness, and flaking.
To help relieve these symptoms and protect the skin from further damage, seniors must use gentle skincare products designed for sensitive skin. These products usually contain safe, organic ingredients that help to soothe and protect the skin from irritants.
It is also important to avoid harsh cleansers, scrubbers, and exfoliants that can strip the natural oils from the skin and leave it feeling dry and irritated.
Using a bidet allows seniors to maintain good hygiene while caring for their skin. Since bidets use water, they can be a great alternative to toilet paper and anal cleansing pads.
Aside from adding a bidet to the bathroom, here are additional tips for caring for the elderly’s sensitive skin:
- Use a fragrance-free cleanser when washing the face and body. Look for products labeled “for sensitive skin.” Also, avoid harsh soaps as they can irritate and strip natural oils from the skin
- After cleansing, apply a lotion or cream to help lock in moisture. Seniors with sensitive skin should look for “unscented” products without added colors or dyes. They should also moisturize regularly, especially after bathing. By applying a moisturizer after cleansing, seniors can keep their skin hydrated and protect it from irritants.
- Avoid hot showers. Hot water can strip away natural oils from the skin, so older adults and people with sensitive skin should use lukewarm water when bathing or showering.
4. Bidets Can Help Seniors Feel More Independent
Due to declining physical health, cognitive decline, and social isolation, many seniors can feel less independent. They may have to give up activities they enjoy or rely on others for help with everyday tasks.
Loss of independence can be tough for the elderly, but there are ways to cope. One way for them to feel more independent is by paying special attention to personal hygiene needs.
Bidets can be handheld fixtures or toilets with a built-in cleansing system. They’re easy to use and don’t require any special equipment. It’s even possible to control their water pressure and temperature.
People of all ages and abilities can use a bidet, and among seniors, they can provide a much-needed sense of independence.
It might naturally feel like such a small change should not make a massive difference, but giving back a little independence can cause a massive improvement in mental health.
The Importance of Independence Among the Elderly
Seniors often need a little extra assistance, whether it’s something as simple as reaching for a heavy item on a high shelf or something more complicated like driving to the store. This reliance on others can be frustrating for seniors who are used to being independent.
While it’s important to lean on loved ones for support, it’s also crucial that seniors maintain as much independence as possible.
Here are a few reasons why:
- Independence can help seniors feel a sense of purpose. When they can do things independently, they feel useful and dignified. Small tasks such as cleaning up after using the toilet can contribute to these positive feelings.
- Feeling independent can help them stay active and engaged. If seniors had to rely on others for help with everything, including personal hygiene, they might feel more inclined to become sedentary and isolated.
- Independence can help reduce stress and anxiety. When seniors are forced to rely on others, they may feel overwhelmed and stressed. Independence allows them to take care of themselves in a way that’s more manageable for them.
- It gives seniors a sense of control and mastery over their own lives. Older adults who feel like they have control over their lives tend to feel happier. The sense of control that comes with having authority over one’s life also provides a sense of security and contentment. This empowerment can help seniors maintain good health as they age, reducing the risk of mental health issues.
Nevertheless, there’s a balance to maintain, and you should ensure that while you give them as much independence as possible, they’re still safe. Independence is important, but it should never be at the cost of their mental and physical health.
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