AT for Your TUSH!

Whether you call it your butt, backside, behind, bottom, bum, buttocks, cheeks, derrière, fanny, gluteus maximus, haunches, heinie, hindquarters, keister, posterior, rear, ass, rump, seat, or tush… one thing is for sure—you gotta keep it clean!

There are many reasons why a person may have difficulty in

Installed Toto Washlet

keeping their tush clean independently. Surely, we can all agree that the paper-in-hand method does not work for everyone.  Sometimes people turn to incontinence products like pads and specially-designed underwear, or some folks may turn to caregivers and family members for assistance with this task. However, there is an AT alternate option that could help many people accomplish this task completely independently.

Coco 1035 Bidet

The alternate option we are talking about is an assistive device for a toilet more commonly known as a washlet. A washlet is a toilet seat that includes a water spray that rinses the user clean. While it is rare for a bathroom in the U.S. to have a washlet, they—along with their similar original French cousin version called a bidet—are very common in many other countries. In fact, 79% of households in Japan use washlets and 97% of households in Italy have bidets. A washlet has many of the same functions of a bidet, but rather than have a separate system like bidets, washlets can be mounted to your existing toilet.

There are a variety of washlets available on the market.  Some washlets have controls on the side of the seat, others have wall mounted displays and some even use remote controls. There are even washlets with heated seats! The different options and controls allow the user to determine the water pressure, direction of the spray, air drying system, temperature options, and more depending on the model.

Portable Washlet

The cost of washlets vary and prices range from $350 to $1200. Installation requires an electrical source near the rear of the toilet and professional installation by a licensed contractor. However, there are other more inexpensive non-electric versions that are also available starting at $59. These can be installed by a motivated do-it-yourselfer. There is even a portable travel-sized washlet available for $100.  

Have you ever seen or used a washlet?  Can you recommend one?  Write your comments in the box below.