Toilet - wiping aids

If physical dexterity, mobility and flexibility make activities like dressing difficult, they may also make cleaning oneself after using the toilet very challenging.

When this is the case there are some special aids and devices that can be used to hold and apply toilet paper for personal hygiene.

These items are designed to be as easy to use as possible and they do not require the user to touch any discarded (used) toilet paper.

How they work

A toilet wiping aid, sometimes called an easy wipe or a bottom wipe, takes the form of an elongated handle with a toilet paper holding mechanism at one end. This functional end will use one of a number of methods to securely hold a piece of toilet paper during use and then discard it (without the need to touch it) after the task has been completed.

An ergonomic hand grip, often with a slightly curved handle makes the wiping action easy to perform without the need for excessive bending or twisting. Different devices use different toilet paper holding mechanisms.

You can also get a fold-up bottom wiper that folds into three seperate sections and fits into a small travel case. This is ideal for anyone who wants to take this aid with them on a trip or visit.

A further assistance in the tasks of cleaning and clensing oneself after using the toilet is a "mirror inspector". This flexible aid takes the form of a small mirror that is suspended at one end of a bendable handle. The handle can be bent or twisted to the most appropriate angle and then used to inspect the body after toilet use.

These devices, though once primitive and awkward to use, are now the result of clever design that takes into account ergonomics and the input of occupational therapists.