It’s important to maintain your independence as you age. The most basic tasks can become difficult and arduous, but with the right aids you can maintain control. In this guide, we’ll look at bottom wiping aids—simple tools designed to make those toilet trips easier and cleaner.
What Are Bottom Wiping Aids?
These tools are designed to help individuals with limited mobility clean wipe themselves after using the toilet. They are extendable and often adjustable tools that contain a section for toilet paper, essentially serving as an extension of your arm and hand.
Simply add toilet paper to one end of the wiping aid, hold the other end, clean yourself, and then press the catch release button to dispose of the used paper.
They can help people who fall into one of the following categories:
- Elderly with Mobility Issues: This seemingly simple task can prove difficult if you suffer from mobility issues and don’t have the flexibility required to wipe yourself.
- Are Obese: Overweight and obese patients may struggle to reach and can benefit from using one of these aids.
- Have Back Problems: Even if you’re relatively healthy, when you suffer from back pain, performing simple tasks such as using the toilet can be painful.
In all cases, these tools can restore some dignity, as the patient can continue to clean themselves and won’t need assistance when using the toilet. You can never underestimate the benefits that a little independence can bring. Research shows that the longer someone maintains their independence, the less likely they are to suffer from depression.
What to Look for in a Bottom Wiping Aid
Unlike some of the other mobility aids we have reviewed, wiping aids are relatively simple, but the quality of the construction can still differ considerably from one product to the next. Make sure you look for one that ticks all the following boxes.
A Flexible Design
A good wiping aid is flexible and easy to grip. It should have a slight curve to allow for easy access and cleaning. The size is also important, as larger users and users with very limited mobility may rely almost entirely on the device.
Easy to Use
How quick and effective is the paper mechanism and how much bending is required? These are the questions you should ask yourself before buying a wiping aid. Take a look at the reviews and see what previous customers have to say.
Storage
Wiping aids often come with storage bags, making it easy to carry them with you when you visit hotels and even friend’s houses. You can also store them discreetly at home, keeping them out of your guests’ sight. There’s no shame in needing a little help every now and then, but some users prefer to keep these things to themselves.
Low Cost
Last but not least, you want a wiping aid that is affordable and won’t deplete your budget. This is not something that you need to spend a lot of money on. There are certainly more expensive options, but the law of diminishing returns kicks in pretty quickly here and you don’t need to spend big to get something reliable.
The Best Bottom Wiping Aids for Seniors
We have listed some of the best products in this category, all of which are geared toward seniors and can be purchased for less than $40. You can find these products on Amazon and they may also be available from other major retailers and marketplaces.
Amazon is often the best option for this kind of thing as it offers discreet packaging and, unlike eBay, your previous purchases are not visible to other users. You can see all user reviews before you buy, looking at what previous customers have to say and highlighting any potential product flaws.
In addition, if you have Amazon Prime, you can get your order within 24 hours. Just bear in mind that many products are sold by Amazon vendors and not by Amazon itself. In such cases, it’s not as easy to cancel or return those orders and you have less recourse if you experience an issue with the product.
- Bottom Buddy Wiping Aid: An 11-inch wiping aid with a soft grip and a large curve. Comes with its own discreet carrying case and is available for around $40. It’s one of the more expensive options out there but is great value for money.
- Sammons Preston Curved Wiping Aid: This 10-inch aid features the longest curve of all, is lightweight, and very easy to use. Bear in mind, however, that it’s a little shorter than the other options on this list and may fall short of expectations.
- Jobar Long-Reach: A long and very highly reviewed wiping aid aimed at seniors and individuals with mobility issues. It spans 17 inches in total, making it the longest on this list.
- Fanwer Toilet Aid: An inexpensive and high-quality toilet aid that you can pick up for between $10 and $20. It’s easy to use, features an ergonomic design, and even comes with its own moist wipes.
Before you complete your purchase, make sure you’re getting the best price, as the same product may be available on several other listings. Check the user reviews, see what they have to say about it, and avoid anything that has too few reviews or a lot of reviews but a very low overall score.
Bottom Wiping Aids and Other Tools for the Elderly
Whether you need help standing, sitting, walking, sleeping, or eating, there is a mobility aid to help. These aids are designed to assist with all aspects of your life, capitalizing on a multi-billion-dollar industry that grows alongside America’s aging population.
The aforementioned bottom wiping aids are simply more useful tools we can add to the mix. It’s designed to help you retain your dignity and restore some control and independence.
For more help and other mobility aids, take a look at the many other guides we have on this site.