The use of robots in nursing homes helps retain staff and enhances the quality of care provided.

A new study conducted at the University of Notre Dame's Department of Employment Development Perspectives indicates that the use of robots is linked to increased employment and employee retention, enhanced labor productivity, and improved service quality. The research, published in the journal Labour Economics, has significant implications for the employment sector and the long-term care industry.

The researchers relied on survey results gathered from Japanese nursing homes between 2020 and 2022.

The focus of the study was Japan, as it is a super-aged society that serves as a prime example of what may occur in other countries in the future: a declining population, an increasing proportion of elderly individuals, and a shrinking share of the working-age population.

We must be prepared for this new reality.

The Impact of Robot Use on Staff

According to the researchers, as the number of elderly individuals requiring care increases in the future, targeted use of robots could benefit both staff and patients. The study analyzed three types of robots that are increasingly used in nursing homes:

• Mobility robots, which assist nurses in lifting, moving, and turning patients in beds and around the room.
• Transport robots, which enable patients to move around and take baths.
• Monitoring and communication robots, equipped with technologies such as computer vision and bed sensors that can track patient data, including movement and condition, and relay this information to healthcare workers.

The scientists found that the integration of robots into the caregiving process complements staff work, reducing turnover rates. This is significant because turnover is a considerable issue in nursing homes.

Working in nursing homes is demanding and poorly compensated. Additionally, workers often experience significant physical pain, especially in the knees and back. Thus, the use of robots has been associated with improved staff retention.

Interestingly, while the use of robots was linked to an overall increase in job opportunities, this trend seems to have benefited some workers more than others: demand increased for less experienced part-time workers, while demand for more experienced employees decreased.

Enhancing Patient Care

According to the study, patients in facilities that utilized robots experienced only benefits. The nursing homes examined by the research team reported a decrease in the use of restraint devices for patients and a reduction in bedsores or ulcers, which are common issues for nursing home patients due to lack of mobility. By alleviating the physical strain associated with certain tasks, robots can free up caregivers to focus on tasks better suited for humans.

Robots can boost labor productivity by allowing caregivers to concentrate on tasks that require human touch, empathy, and skill.