The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), the Association on Aging in New York, and Smart Hygiene are partnering to pilot the Smart Hygiene AI Bidet, a smart electronic bidet toilet seat designed to help older adults and people with disabilities improve post-toileting hygiene, prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), and reduce fall risk in the bathroom.
The device increases independence and dignity, reduces reliance on hands-on caregiver assistance, and supports better perineal hygiene that may reduce risk factors associated with UTIs, skin irritation, and other hygiene-related complications.
NYSOFA, AgingNY and Smart Hygiene are piloting the device in the homes of 60 older adults in the North Country region of New York to evaluate the effectiveness of this assistive technology for older adults and people with disabilities who have difficulty completing post-toileting cleansing safely, consistently, privately, or without caregiver assistance.
The Smart Hygiene AI Bidet was developed for older adults and people with disabilities as a toilet-hygiene solution activated with a simple press of a button. The system uses AI-enabled sensing to help identify cleansing needs, direct warm-water washing, and provide warm-air drying. The AI Bidet is intended to support independence with toileting hygiene, address the time-sensitive nature of post-toileting hygiene when a caregiver may not be immediately available, reduce unsafe reaching, twisting, standing, or transferring around the toilet, and help people remain safely and confidently in their homes and communities.
Greg Olsen, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging, said, “The routine act of toileting – something many of us take for granted – can pose a significant risk for many older adults, from potential urinary tract infections to falls injury. Approximately 16% of older adults on NYSOFA's caseload report a daily living limitation in toileting, among other Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) like dressing, bathing, personal hygiene and mobility that are addressed through NYSOFA case management, personal care services and other supports. Given this need, promising technology solutions like the AI Bidet are designed to improve outcomes for our most at-risk populations, including individuals served by NYSOFA and potentially other system partners across the spectrum of health and community-based services."
Becky Preve, Executive Director of the Association on Aging in New York, said, “The phrase ‘Activities of Daily Living’ is a technical term for the very real and intense experiences that older individuals and their caregivers face each day in trying to maintain health and independence. Like all of the public-private partnerships being adopted by New York State’s aging network, the AI Bidet is another innovation that has the potential to enhance quality of life for many older adults, allowing them to remain independent in their homes. These and other technological tools support individual autonomy and dignity, decreasing reliance on others for toileting assistance at a time when many caregivers report high levels of caregiver intensity. The Association on Aging in New York is proud to partner with NYSOFA to distribute these devices to appropriate clients and further understand the many ways that technology can potentially help improve outcomes.”
Smart Hygiene Founder and CEO Ilan Tiagai, said, “Toileting is a basic Activity of Daily Living that requires mobility, dexterity, balance, and privacy. Unlike many other daily activities, post-toileting hygiene is often urgent and cannot always wait for a caregiver to arrive. For people who need help with toileting hygiene, this can affect health, dignity, independence, and caregiver burden. We are delighted to collaborate with NYSOFA and the Association on Aging in New York to evaluate the impact that the AI Bidet can have for older adults and people with disabilities who need toileting support.”
About the New York State Office for the Aging
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) continuously works to help the state’s 4.8 million older adults be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development, and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. Stay connected—visit the NYSOFA Facebook page, follow @NYSAGING on X, subscribe to our YouTube channel, or visit aging.ny.gov.
About the Association on Aging in New York
The Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY) supports and advocates for New York’s mostly county-based Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and works collaboratively with a network of organizations that exist to promote independence, preserve dignity, and provide support for residents of New York State as they age. For more information, follow AgingNY on Facebook, visit www.agingny.org, or call (518) 449-7080.
About Smart Hygiene
Smart Hygiene Inc. is leveraging AI and smart sensing to improve personal hygiene for older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals who need assistance with toileting. Its flagship product, the AI Bidet, is designed to help people improve post-toileting hygiene, support independence, dignity, and safety, and reduce reliance on hands-on caregiver assistance with a simple press of a button. The AI Bidet may also help care providers reduce staff workload, ease caregiver burden, support safer toileting routines, and improve the care experience. For more information, visit www.SmartHygiene.com.
