Leaving things untidy after toileting can lead to skin problems, discomfort, infection, and even non-healing sores. And bathroom hygiene is an important part of toilet safety for seniors and the elderly.
Here’s how to make bathroom hygiene easier for older adults with some alternatives to toilet paper and standard wiping techniques.
Here are the picks I’d start with if you’re in a hurry, and you’ll find the details on each one, including the downsides, further down the page.
Video Guide
Alternatives to Toilet Paper and Standard Hygiene
Traditional toilet paper can be rough on the skin and difficult to manage for seniors with poor dexterity. However, toileting hygiene must still get done somehow.
Here are a few ways to keep up with toileting hygiene without toilet paper:
Moist Wipes
Pre-moistened wipes (sometimes called “wet wipes”) are an alternative to toilet paper that is gaining popularity.
They are pre-moistened with a gentle cleanser and offer a few advantages, such as being softer and more pleasant to use than traditional toilet paper.
They are also more hygienic, keeping the skin clean and free of bacteria.
However, there are a few drawbacks as well. Pre-moistened wipes are more expensive than traditional toilet paper and are difficult to dispose of.
Most wipes are not biodegradable and should never be flushed down the toilet. Even “flushable wipes” can cause clogs in the plumbing or end up in the environment. Dispose of them in the trash instead.
Portable Travel Bidet or Peri-Bottles
A portable travel bidet is a device that uses water to clean up after toileting. They are more common in countries where toilet paper is not available. Portable travel bidets are small and easy to carry, making them perfect for travel or everyday use.
If you want to see one in action, I made a video showing the Hibbent rechargeable portable bidet for travel and how it works for older adults at home or on the go.
Portable bidets are much more hygienic than toilet paper because they thoroughly clean the area, which helps prevent infection and irritation. The squirting sensation is more comfortable than rubbing a wipe – especially for sensitive skin.
However, there are some drawbacks to using a portable travel bidet.
First, they require fresh water, so it may not be practical if you travel to a remote location, but they are an excellent option for home use. Some skill is also needed to use them properly, so it may take a few tries to get the job done.
A peri-bottle is a squirt-bottle device that applies water directly to sensitive areas after using the restroom. It is also portable but more straightforward than a portable travel bidet. However, it is smaller and may need to be filled multiple times to provide a thorough cleansing.
Get a Bidet or Bidet Attachment
Bidets are generally more hygienic than toilet paper because they can reach all body parts and help reduce skin irritation and infection.
The main advantage of a bidet is that it helps to reduce the amount of toilet paper used – sometoilet paper may still be needed for drying. If you are curious about whether you still have to wipe after using a bidet, there is more on that here.
This is both better for the environment and can help to save money. Bidets are often more comfortable than toilet paper and reduce the risk of chafing, rashes, and other skin irritations.
A bidet costs about $500, and installation requires a separate connection to a plumbing system and plumber too!
Adding a bidet attachment to an existing toilet is a relatively straightforward process.
Most attachments are designed to work with any standard toilet and are connected to the existing toilet water supply.
After minimal installation, most bidet attachments are controlled with a simple push button. This makes them convenient and easy to use.
Showering After Toileting With a Handheld Shower Head
For several reasons, showering after toileting with a handheld shower head is an excellent alternative to toilet paper.
First, a shower is more hygienic and prevents the spread of germs because it uses water to thoroughly cleanse and remove residual waste. Many have adjustable spray patterns on them to get just the right amount of pressure.
Additionally, it is more environmentally friendly than using toilet paper, and it eliminates the need to buy and store large quantities of toilet paper.
The main drawback of using a handheld shower head is that you have to get into the shower to use it, which requires multiple steps. Using the shower head is tricky and may require some practice, too.
Soft Cloths or Washcloths
Soft washcloths are another alternative but wet the cloths first – do not use them dry. The cloth can be washed in a washing machine with hot water and laundry detergent.
The advantage of using a soft washcloth as an alternative to toilet paper is that it provides a more thorough cleaning without using chemicals.
The drawback is that cleaning up after using the toilet requires more effort and time, and you must launder the cloths frequently, if not daily.
You’ll need an airtight, odor-free place to store the dirty ones between launderings.
Toilet Tissue Wands With Long Handles
Toilet tissue wands with long handles assist elderly people with personal hygiene by allowing the user to reach between the legs and wipe themselves without bending over. This is especially helpful for those with limited mobility when bending over is difficult and uncomfortable.
A toilet tissue wand helps older adults maintain their independence and dignity by allowing them to clean themselves without assistance. It also reduces the risk of straining or injuring their back or neck from having to bend over.
The drawback, though, is there is a learning curve to using one properly. Reaching certain areas is difficult, and the tool becomes uncomfortable to hold for extended periods.
Some people with arthritis or limited mobility find the wand challenging to use effectively.
Clamp-Style Toilet Aids With a Release
If you’ve tried a tissue wand and the paper kept slipping, or you didn’t love how the used paper came off, this kind of tool is worth a look. It’s a long handle with a clamp on the end. The clamp grips the toilet paper or a wipe, and you let go of it by working the handle, so you never have to touch the dirty paper. The point is to let you take care of this yourself, without asking anyone for help.
Here’s what to look for. The clamp should hold paper firmly all the way through the wiping motion. The material should be easy to wash, and spare heads are a plus. Check the length against your reach, because a longer handle helps when bending is hard. Also know the downsides. Most of these don’t fold, so you’ll need a spot to keep one. Some also take a squeeze or a push to release the paper, and that can be tough on sore or stiff hands.
Toilet Aid Bottom Wiping Tool
This is a 16.5-inch wiping aid with a long handle. It’s meant for people who can’t reach well enough to clean themselves, whether from limited mobility or recovery from surgery. The idea is to let you finish the job on your own, without asking for help.
The head is a silicone clamp that grips toilet paper or wipes and holds on through the whole wiping motion. When you’re done, a release drops the used paper straight into the bowl, so your hands never touch it. It also comes with spare silicone tops, so you can rotate them and keep them clean.
I also went through this style of tool in detail in my look at the JFMkaer long-handled toilet aid with silicone clamp, if you want to see how it works in use.
The trade-off is that the handle is one fixed piece. It doesn’t fold or collapse, so you’ll need a spot to keep it, like beside the toilet or in a cabinet. It’s also plain and purely functional, with no polished look to it. If squeezing a handle is hard on your hands, it’s worth thinking that through before you buy.
Non-Electric Bidet Attachments
Wipes, bottles, and wands all ask you to reach, twist, or grip, and that gets harder when shoulders, wrists, or hands aren’t what they used to be. A bidet attachment takes most of that work away. It’s a slim fixture that fits under your regular toilet seat and sprays water to do the cleaning, so you do far less reaching and wiping. You don’t have to replace your toilet, and a handy family member can often install one in under an hour with a wrench. For more options, I put the wiping aids, bidets, and wipes I have demonstrated in one place: toileting and bathroom hygiene aids.
If you’re shopping for one, here is what to look for. Pick a model with no electric plug, because water and outlets in the bathroom are a combination nobody needs. Look for a simple control, ideally one knob that is easy to turn with stiff fingers. Metal parts on the inside tend to last longer than plastic ones. Know the downsides too. Many basic models use cold water only, which can be a shock on a winter morning. Also check that the attachment fits your toilet seat, since a few oddly shaped seats don’t work well with them.
LUXE Bidet NEO 120
The LUXE Bidet NEO 120 is a bidet attachment that installs under the toilet seat you already have. It needs no electricity, so there is no cord or outlet near water, which is one less worry for a caregiver.
It works with a single knob, so there is not much to learn. You turn it to start the rear wash and adjust the water pressure. That suits an older adult who wants to clean up without reaching, twisting or holding a wand, and the washing does the work that wiping used to.
The hose is braided steel and the valve core is metal and ceramic, which are parts meant to last longer than plastic ones. The nozzle is self-cleaning.
The trade-off is that it uses cold water only. If cold water would be uncomfortable or a problem for you or the person you are helping, look at LUXE’s higher-tier models. It is also made for standard two-piece toilets, and whether it fits a one-piece toilet is not confirmed, so check your toilet before ordering.
Bidet Attachments That Fit on Your Toilet
Wipes, bottles, and wands all ask you to reach, twist, or grip, and that’s the hard part when your shoulders, wrists, or hands don’t cooperate. A bidet attachment takes most of that away. It’s a thin fixture that sits under your toilet seat and sprays water to do the cleaning for you. You turn a knob, rinse, and pat dry. There’s no electric outlet or plumber involved, and the one we cover here works without either.
Here’s what to look for. You want controls you can work with weak hands, like a simple knob and not tiny buttons. You want a slim design so the seat doesn’t end up tilted or wobbly. Check that it fits your toilet, and that you or a helpful family member can install it without special tools. Know the downsides too. Many of the plain models only use cold water from your pipes, and that can be a surprise on a winter morning. You’ll also still need a little toilet paper or a towel to dry off, and it takes a bit of practice to aim.
Shineforu Ultra-Slim Bidet Attachment
The Shineforu Ultra-Slim is a bidet attachment that sits under your existing toilet seat. It rinses you with water, so you don’t have to reach and wipe as much. It needs no power, batteries, app, or remote, so there’s little to go wrong.
It has two wash modes, one for the front (the feminine wash) and one for the back. A knob adjusts the water pressure. A knob is easier on weak or sore hands than a small button or a wand you have to hold and aim.
It installs in minutes without tools. It also has a slim mounting profile, so the seat shouldn’t tilt much once it’s on.
The trade-off is that it uses cold water only. In winter that can be a shock, and some people won’t put up with it. If warm water matters to you, look at a different model. Also check that it fits your toilet before you order, because non-standard or one-piece toilets may not work with it.
Disposable Underpads
Disposable underpads are an alternative to the toilet for people with limited mobility.
These absorbent, waterproof pads have an adhesive backing placed underneath the person to provide a barrier. Disposable underpads are convenient, easy to use, and cost-effective.
They are an excellent tool for quickly dealing with and cleaning urinary and fecal incontinence and can help reduce odors.
However, there are some drawbacks to using disposable underpads.
The main disadvantage of disposable underpads is that they need the assistance of a second person. But, they are also noisy and tend to move and shift around, making them less effective potentially.
They aren’t a good long-term solution and should be replaced regularly. Some disposable underpads are not eco-friendly and may contain chemicals or plastics that harm the environment and sensitive skin.
Reasons Elderly People May Struggle With Bathroom Hygiene
Elsa is a 67-year-old woman who recently underwent total shoulder surgery on her right arm. Unfortunately, she is right-handed in every sense of the word. She also has multiple sclerosis, which compromises her standing balance.
So, while she’s in her bathroom at home, she religiously keeps her left hand on the grab bar while using her right hand to manage her toileting hygiene. Now that her right arm is in a sling for the next six weeks, she’s at a loss for how she will manage on her own.
Sound familiar to some? Here are a few other reasons that seniors and elderly folks may struggle with completing toileting hygiene practices, including wiping after bowel movements:
- Obesity or a large pannus, making it difficult to reach or see
- Limited range in the spine, or lack of twisting and turning
- Shoulder injuries or surgery
- Little fine motor coordination or grip of the fingers and hands
- Limited sensation or dexterity
- Limited cognition, attention, judgment, or awareness
- Lack of standing strength or stamina to complete the wiping routine
How to Make Bathroom Hygiene Easier for Older Adults
If the usual methods of toileting hygiene are more of an impediment than a help, it’s time to think outside the box and incorporate alternative techniques to get the job done.
Here are a few ways to make that happen:
- Use one of the toilet aids above: Toilet aids are pieces of adaptive equipment with long handles that can hold pieces of wipes or toilet paper for wiping purposes. This helps seniors who struggle with reaching around effectively.
- Provide a place to hold on: Use toilet grab bars, raised toilet seats with handles, or toilet safety frames to give the person a secure place to hold onto while performing their hygiene tasks.
- Get comfortable: If this is generally a lengthy process, use a padded toilet seat that prevents soreness and numb extremities.
- Switch the grab bars around: If your situation is similar to Elsa’s, find a way to provide support on the other side of the body (i.e., switching the toilet grab bar to the other wall).
- Allow the senior to sit: Even though many people are taught to stand during toileting hygiene, allow a senior to sit and complete it while on the toilet to save muscle strength and stamina.
- Torso binder: Find an orthopedic corset or pannus binder for an overweight senior to wear during toileting to bind the belly, so it’s easier to see and reach over the gut.
- Take your time: This job is best not rushed, so don’t push yourself or your loved one to be faster or set a time limit.
- Sometimes a shower is easier: Often, just getting in the shower is easier than contorting yourself at the toilet. You are in the bathroom anyway and usually get the job done more efficiently with water.
- Check your diet. A diet rich in fiber with proper hydration results in softer bowel movements which are easier to clean up!
Infographic: Easier Toileting Hygiene for Older Adults
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Summary and Final Recommendations
Toileting hygiene tasks can become tricky to complete, especially if health-related issues affect our ability to reach and grasp.
Inadequate toileting hygiene, especially after bowel movements, can lead to skin irritation and infection. Consult your primary physician or a rehabilitative specialist, such as an occupational therapist, to discuss your toileting hygiene options.
Research and trial-run toileting hygiene adaptive equipment to see if there is a right fit for you so that you can complete toileting hygiene tasks safely and efficiently at home.
