Original Medicare (Parts A and B) will not pay for a bidet. It categorizes bidets and bidet toilet seats as non-medical, convenience, or hygiene items.
HSA bidets can be purchased if you have a valid medical reason, such as improving hygiene post-surgery or addressing certain medical conditions.
Though they might feel a little unusual at first, a bidet is actually a great tool for the elderly who are struggling with hygiene as they age. Bidets are a great way to freshen up after toileting. Using toilet paper after toileting can become more difficult as we age due to arthritis and decreasing mobility.
In the United States, many doctors now warn that using toilet paper can lead to infections because it doesn't clean properly. Instead, they recommend using water through bidets for better hygiene. Interestingly, this method is something Indians have followed for centuries using a simple lota.
The best bidets for seniors focus on accessibility, ease of use, and independence, prioritizing features like simple, high-contrast remotes, automatic washing cycles, and heated seats.
While bidets offer excellent hygiene and reduce toilet paper waste, they come with a few notable drawbacks. Potential cons include high upfront costs for electric models, tricky installations, potential disruptions to vaginal flora, and extra bathroom cleaning duties.
If you are looking for an alternative to a bidet, you can use a portable peri bottle, a lota (a small pitcher or mug), or opt for flush-friendly toilet paper foam applied to standard dry toilet paper.
Many people find bidets gross due to the mental image of water causing unsanitary splashing, the fear of unclean shared nozzles, or the perceived awkwardness of air-drying or manually drying off afterward.
You should use the bidet after you go to the bathroom and before drying off. You don't need to aggressively wipe first; simply use the bidet’s water stream to wash away residue, then pat dry with a small amount of toilet paper or a dedicated washcloth.
Yes, using someone else's bidet is sanitary—provided it is a modern, well-maintained model. Since the water sprays directly from a clean supply line rather than being recirculated, it is as hygienic as using their shower.
To use a bidet as a woman, sit normally on the toilet, facing the wall. If using a standalone bidet, you can straddle it facing the controls. Lean slightly forward to center your body, select the gentle "feminine" or front-wash setting, and use toilet paper or a bidet towel to pat dry.
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue.
A toilet height between 17 to 19 inches from the floor to the seat is generally recommended for seniors. This height, often called "comfort height" or "ADA-compliant height," aligns better with the natural height needed for most adults to safely sit and stand.
You usually do not need a plumber to install a standard bidet toilet seat. Most models are beginner-friendly DIY projects that require only basic tools (like a wrench and screwdriver) and usually take 15 to 30 minutes to complete.
Yes, you can get incontinence pads on prescription, but it depends on your healthcare system and insurance.
Historically, the absence of bidets in the U.S. traces back to World War II. American soldiers encountered standalone bidets in European brothels. Returning home with puritanical values, they stigmatized the fixtures as immoral. Meanwhile, the U.S. toilet paper industry boomed, establishing a dominant cultural norm.
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.
Yes, an estimated 70% of the world does not use dry toilet paper to wipe. Instead, many cultures across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Europe prioritize washing with water.
A smelly bidet is usually caused by trapped bacteria, clogged internal filters, or a poor seal with your plumbing.
Muslims purify themselves after using the toilet using a practice called Istinja. The Islamic tradition places a strong emphasis on personal hygiene, and the protocol involves washing with water using the left hand.
To wipe properly:
The best bidet for you depends on your budget and whether you prefer an electronic seat upgrade or a simple attachment. Top industry options include the luxurious Toto Washlet S7A, the highly-rated Brondell Swash 1400, the value-packed Alpha JX, and the beginner-friendly Tushy Classic 3.0.
Because of the importance of bathroom hygiene and proper cleaning of soiled areas after bowel movement, the demand for bidets has increased. However, inappropriate use of bidets can damage the colonic mucosa. Here, we report a case of rectal mucosal damage due to inappropriate bowel cleansing habits using a bidet.
Washing with a bidet doesn't require as much twisting, turning, and reaching as wiping with toilet paper would. For older adults with age-related mobility issues, a bidet can help make bathroom visits easier and more comfortable.
Italy, Japan, and parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia use bidets the most. Usage is deeply embedded in daily hygiene, driven by strict laws, religious traditions, or a preference for advanced technology.