I believe Toto has the option to add that to their Washlet setup - no idea how reliable it is, but seems like it could be what you’re looking for? https://www.totousa.com/about-toto/press/toto-introduces-auto-flush-washlet-toilets

Thanks. I looked at it, but it looks like it can only be added onto their washlet, which I fear will be too complicated for my mother to understand. Their website does not seem to indicate whether or not you can turn off the washlet feature and only use the auto flush.

The washlet comes with a remote and I don’t believe it will do anything without pressing one of the buttons on the remote (except for maybe spraying the bowl with e-water every few hours?), so I guess you could just ignore all the other features? It’s definitely an expensive option for just the auto flush, hopefully someone has a better idea. Have you tried asking on the Terry Love plumbing forums?

Toto also says their kits work on 2 piece toilets like the Connelly et al.

You might be able to add this to the existing toilet, https://www.amazon.com/Touchless-Adjustable-Automatic-Powered-Batteries/dp/B01DO7ABHW

If you want to spend the money the top of the line washlet would be an excellent option.

None of the "bidet" functions work on their own as you select functionality using the remote. Given your mother's condition you might just keep the remote in a drawer.

However there is functionality besides the auto-flush that might be helpful for your mother. My washlet has a night light; the lid goes up and down automatically (you can disable this); the seat is heated which might be comfortable for her depending on climate and it also wets down the sides of the bowl so that the toilet essentially cleans itself. It also has a deodorizing function which doesn't scent the air but uses some kind of filtration system. The water that washes down the bowl is E-water and is theoretically supposed to have some kind of sanitizing effect.

I believe the (current) auto-flushes for tank toilets are activated without needing a hand wave, just like commercial flush valves or assisted-tanks. The Sloan retrofits I believe you can even change the setting to be hand wave or from just a rise from a seating position.

Thank you all. Unfortunately, the Toto washlet is too expensive for our budget, since we probably will have to leave it in place when my mother's condition no longer permits her to stay there.

3onthetree, do you have a link to the Sloan retrofit you're talking about? I have been told it was discontinued.

I saw today the Clean Activate toilet by American Standard, which you need to wave your hand to activate, but the sensor actuates a vacuum breaker on the flush valve, pretty much the same way you put a straw in a glass of water and you put your thumb on the straw, the water stays in the straw as long as you keep your thumb on the straw. I was thinking of not using their sensor, and attach an infrared or ultrasonic sensor on the wall to trigger the vacuum break in the flush valve.

And anything with wires will have to be solidly attached, she keeps unplugging her phone, TV, and her table lamps then she complains that nothing works. For this reason, and this being a multi-dwelling facility, I am hoping for an off the shelf solution.

And the only products I am finding on Sloan's website are for commercial, 1-inch supply toilets without a tank. Am I missing something? Thanks.

Check out Woodbridge Bath. I just bought 2 toiliets from them. Installing them next week.

The Sloan I mentioned to illustrate that kits seem to be moving away from hand wave as default. Sloan would only have pressure-assist tank toilets at the low end of the scale.

I mentioned the Connelly because I thought that line was the cheaper of the Toto Washlet line that are compatible with their auto-flush, but after looking at prices it's all over the board. "Budget" models look to vary between Connelly or Aquia. I think if the Toto auto-flush kit is adequate for use, find all the model #'s of the 2-piece compatible toilets, then price it out. It seems you will be paying at least $500-$700 just for the toilet for a chance to install an autoflush kit (which is better than the $1200+ for the other Washlet lines).

A question though, if she is in a facility, is the assist schedule frequent enough to not have to worry about whether she flushes herself?

3onthetree, unfortunately sometimes they notice the stuff in the toilet and flush it, but her medication causes her to go to the toilet frequently and they don't always catch up. Yesterday I went to visit her, and the toilet probably had not been flushed since the night before.

And I would have to call the manufacturer before committing to buying any kind of washlet, because if there is a way to turn off the auto-flush feature or send water spraying across the bathroom without the remote, my mother will sure find it! (ask me how I know!)

Has any of you any experience with the American Standard Clean Activate? So far this toilet, modified with a wall mounted sensor, seems to be the more Mom-friendly and least expensive option. Thank you all!

Not flushing from the night before isn't necessarily the worst thing in the world as it appears you mean urine since seniors often do have medication that is a diuretic.

I remember the adage during a water shortage 😂

If it's yellow let it mellow - if it's brown, flush it down.

I get what you are saying about the Toto washlet, but removing it is pretty simple.

Yes removing a Toto washlet is easy as it is just a toilet seat and any reasonably talented DIY can install and then remove as needed.

The wrinkle is that the Toto washlets are plugged in and so require an electrical outlet behind the toilet. When I remodeled I had an outlet installed for the washlet I was getting but most bathrooms don't have an outlet there and running an extension cord to the nearest outlet would be dangerous in most bathrooms.

I don't know how any of the non-washlet automatic flushing systems work but don't they need to be triggered by some kind of electrical source?

What about this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AP8UO9E

(In stock elsewhere if you google, but I linked to Amazon for the reviews.)

I would suggest putting a cord cover over the exposed wire, since she has problems with unplugging things.

I saw it, but it says currently unavailable or discontinued wherever I looked. Do you know where I can buy it? Thank you!

https://water-saver.org/product/fmdk-g4/

Says 6 in stock

If she has dementia, I'd be worried that the auto-flush would scare her.

Thank you all for your help. Unfortunately she passed away last month, just as I was ready to install my home-made prototype.

Oh, so sorry to hear. You are a good son (or daughter) to have tried to fix this problem for her.