New Study Reveals Using Robots in Nursing Homes Correlates with Higher Employee Retention

New technology is having a tremendous impact on the senior care industry. Robots, in particular, are being increasingly used to help residents and staff. A new study, “Robots and Labor in Nursing Homes,” examined the effects robots are having on residents and staff. It found that, overall, the effects are highly positive, correlating with higher employee retention and better patient care.

Examining the Effects of Robots

Yong Suk Lee, associate professor of technology, economy, and global affairs at University of Notre Dame

Yong Suk Lee, associate professor of technology, economy, and global affairs at Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs, was the study’s lead author. He focused the study on the different types of robots used in Japanese nursing homes, using data from surveys conducted in 2020 and 2022.

Japan faces similar long-term care challenges as the United States. “Because of Japan’s below-replacement fertility, world-leading longevity, and therefore large and growing proportion of individuals aged 80 and older, the demand for long-term assistance with basic activities of daily living (such as eating, toileting, and bathing) is expected to continue to increase significantly,” the study states. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare projects a shortage of 380,000 care workers by 2025.

The study data encompassed three types of robots:

• Transfer robots include wearable and non-wearable devices that help caregivers with resident lifting, moving, and rotating within beds and rooms.
• Mobility robots help residents move around for activities like toileting and bathing.
• Monitoring and communication robots include lifestyle support equipment that allows residents to communicate with others, as well as equipment like bed sensors, which helps monitor movement and safety of residents.

To gather data, researchers created a survey to collect information on robot adoption by type, other technology used in the facility, and management practices. The survey also collected staffing information, quality of care data, and information on the extent to which robots were used for different tasks. The study used data from 265 nursing homes who responded to the two surveys sent out in 2020 and 2022.

How Robots Affected Staff

The study found that the use of robots in nursing home was accompanied by an increase in staff employment, reduced quit rates, and boosted employee retention. That correlation was primarily associated with monitoring robots, such as those that track resident movement and alert staff to potential issues, and with part-time, less experienced workers.

The robots could prompt increased employee retention for several reasons. Robots that assist with resident transfers can help reduce the physical toll that caregiving takes on staff. Monitoring robots can help staff better care for residents, even when staff are spread thin and aren’t able to be in the residents’ rooms. This technology might leave staff feeling empowered and better supported by their employer, potentially boosting morale.

How Robots Improved Patient Care

The study indicates that nursing homes using robots also decreased their use of patient restraints. Pressure ulcers and bedsores also decreased. Again, monitoring robots most strongly correlated with these improvements in care.

The study also notes that the improvement in staff retention and care may be linked. If a nursing home is able to maintain consistent staffing levels, it can avoid some of the care issues that can result from frequent staff turnover. Additionally, care workers may see the use of robots as a sign that the nursing home is a better workplace, leading to greater satisfaction and productivity. Nursing homes that have adequate staffing enable staff to better care for residents, which can improve quality of care and overall resident health.

Lessons for the Senior Care Industry

Like the United States, Japan will face increased demand for long-term care, and staffing will be one major challenge the industry needs to navigate. The study notes that the data sample is small, so further research is needed, but the patterns suggest that using robots may improve staff productivity and retention, while residents enjoy better quality care. Robots may help reduce caregiving strain and caregiver shortages, and investing in robots may be a valuable way to help support both staff members and residents.

Paige Cerulli

Paige Cerulli is a contributing writer to i Advance Senior Care.