Some people take it for granted that a quick bathroom break is easy. But older adults with balance issues, injuries, pain, or medical issues know that a trip to the restroom is physically challenging and mentally wearying. Bathroom injuries among seniors are rising as the US population ages. Seniors and their loved ones are increasingly turning to bathroom safety equipment, accessible bathroom design (aging-in-place), and bidets to reduce risk and enhance independence.

Bathroom Safety Statistics: Measuring Risk

Few priorities outweigh hygiene and safety in the bathroom for seniors. A range of bathroom risks, including slippery showers, unmodified toilets, and poor lighting, combine to make the restroom a dangerous space for the 18% (and growing) share of the US population over 65 years of age. The numbers prove the risk:

• Bathroom hazards are partially due to frequent usage. Most people use the bathroom roughly 4 to 10 times per day to preserve health and hygiene. Seniors may need to use the bathroom frequently at night.
• More than one in four older people will fall at least once per year, and most won’t tell their doctor.
• There are roughly 1 million fall-related hospitalizations per year for elderly Americans.
• Approximately 80% of falls occur in the bathroom, making it the most dangerous room in the home for seniors.

How to Improve Bathroom Safety for Elderly Americans

By using all available tools, individuals can reduce the pain, inconvenience, and risk associated with each bathroom visit. The following bathroom safety tips for seniors focus on intentionally designing the room and selecting key equipment. 

Aging-in-Place Bathroom Design

Designing or remodeling bathrooms to be more accessible is a growing segment of the home renovation and new construction markets. The basic tenets of aging-in-place bathroom design are:

• Slip-resistant flooring
• Zero-entry showers
• Shower benches
• Bathroom safety grab bars
• Improved lighting
• More space (for mobility aids)
• Non-standard toilets (tall, with rails, or with a bidet)

Dedicated Bathroom Safety Equipment

From bathroom safety solutions like raised toilet seats, to pre-built walk-in showers, to touch- and voice-activated lighting, there are more options than ever to reduce risk at home.

Other basic equipment to consider for a senior or a person with mobility challenges includes:

• Non-slip mats for the shower
• Grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower
• A handheld showerhead
• Adapted shelves to reduce the need for reaching or overextending
• Automatic door openers
• Bidets with easy-to-reach controls

How Bidets for Seniors Improve Bathroom Safety

A bidet attachment or a bidet toilet seat is another useful tool for seniors and their families or in-home care providers.

•  Installing a bidet for elderly family members reduces or eliminates the need for them to bend or twist to wipe.
•  Bidets provide a better clean, reducing the risk of infection or irritation in what is often a sensitive area.
• Bidets reduce the need to store or transport toilet paper rolls into the bathroom, reducing clutter and unnecessary time in the space.
• Removing the toilet paper holder may even make room near the toilet for a grab bar.

The Best Bidets for Senior Citizens

Bio Bidet by Bemis offers a range of products to improve bathroom safety for seniors: our world-class bidet seats, bidet attachments, and bidet toilets. But which options are best for older people?

We’ve highlighted our best-value products below to start your search, based on your (or your loved one’s) physical attributes. For assistance with choosing the best bidet for elderly Americans (or getting seniors to use a bidet), contact our customer support team.

Our best bidet attachment for seniors…

SlimEdge. There’s no better bang for your buck in the bidet game. The SlimEdge is easy to install, doesn’t need electricity, offers adjustable water pressure, and has an ultra-slim design.

Our best bidet toilet seat for seniors…

BB-2000. There’s a reason it’s our flagship bidet seat. With a dedicated warm-water spray, heated seat, and a host of other features, the BB-2000 is truly luxurious. It’s simple to install, simple to use, and reliable for years of worry-free use.

Our best bidet toilet for seniors…

Discovery DLX. When you make one of the top-rated bidet toilets on the market, you only need one model. Check out all the premium features on our award-winning Discovery DLX Smart Bidet Toilet.

Stay Safe in the Bathroom, and Preserve Senior Independence

Seniors and caregivers don’t have to navigate bathroom safety alone. There are many resources to consult, like STEADI from the CDC. You can work with Bio Bidet to not only confirm bidet seat or attachment compatibility but also get a walk-through of the bidet installation process. We can even address any concerns about using a bidet. 

Contact us with any questions about the benefits of bidets for seniors, and let us be part of your safety planning.