When it comes to disabled and elderly care, maintaining their privacy, dignity, and autonomy is extremely important. It is about sustaining their sense of self-respect, making them feel truly valued and cared for at all times. It is also about allowing them to make decisions for themselves and being allowed to perform certain tasks by themselves if they wish.
One of the most common and significant challenges faced by elderly and disabled individuals is the daily and frequent activity of using the toilet. Naturally, as it is a highly private matter, it may feel like a source of embarrassment for both the caregiver and the person needing care.
The best way to address common toileting issues in caregiving is to give them the help and support necessary while adjusting their environment and the equipment used in a way they feel more independent and are more in control of what they do. A bidet is a useful bathroom fixture that helps you get cleaned easily after using the toilet. It is particularly helpful for those with mobility and flexibility issues.
Here are 3 benefits of using a bidet for the elderly and disabled.
Reducing the Risk of Falling
According to the CDC, each year, millions of older people fall for various reasons—one out of five of them experience serious injuries such as broken bones. Due to the bending and other movements required in cleaning up after using the toilet in a slippery environment, there is always a risk of falling in a toilet.
A bidet eliminates the need to shift on the toilet seat to clean up with toilet paper. It saves the elderly or the disabled person’s energy to focus on safely sitting, comfortably relieving themselves, properly cleaning up and standing, or using a mobility aid after.
Better Personal Hygiene
Having good personal hygiene is an extremely important, yet often challenging aspect in the lives of elderly and disabled individuals due to their physical limitations. As the body ages or fights a disability, the immune system also tends to be weaker, hence making them even more vulnerable to a germ or virus attack.
Wiping oneself with only toilet paper after going to the toilet does not manage to clean all the traces of fecal matter, especially when done by someone with mobility issues. This can lead to many infections, unpleasant odors, and overall poor hygiene. Using a bidet is not only easier, but it manages to fully clean the posterior area which will reduce the risk of infections and other problems that come with poor hygiene.
Better for Delicate Skin
Skin, being the largest organ in the human body, performs many regular functions. However, as we age, and especially when we are on medications, our skin tends to become more fragile. The sensitive aging skin that has lost its elasticity can be damaged easily, making it easier to get skin infections. Regular rubbing and wiping with toilet paper can make the skin around the genital and anal area damage and tear. Using a bidet to clean up and a soft cloth to dry eliminates this risk.
Accessibility for Your Bathroom
For many residents of New Jersey, accessibility products in the bathroom make it possible for them to continue living in their homes independently, without the need for day-to-day assistance. For a quick and affordable boost to the safety of your bathroom, consider adding a bidet!
Request a Free In-Home Estimate for Your Choice of New Jersey Accessibility Products
By getting in touch with Bath Planet today, you could be enjoying a safe, worry-free bathroom in just a matter of days. So why wait to get the accessible upgrades you and your family need? Call us today to discuss your needs with a New Jersey accessible bathing specialist, or fill out our quick online form now to start with a free cost estimate in your home.