Use of care robots in nursing homes for older adults: Comparison of perceptions of facility managers and care workers

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to clarify care robot management and use based on the respective perceptions of facility managers and care workers, and differences in perception between them regarding care robots' effects on older adults and staff. Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved 118 nursing homes. Facility managers and care workers answered separate questionnaires covering demographics, nursing home characteristics, care robot management status (facility managers), and care robot experience (care workers). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and common items were compared using chi-square tests between facility managers and care workers. Results: From 108 facilities (91.5%), valid responses were obtained from 52 facility managers (48.1%) and 796 care workers (36.9%). Care robots were most frequently used as "monitoring and communication aids" (61.1%), and 461 care workers (57.9%) actively used care robots. Facility managers most commonly introduced care robots to "reduce the burden on care workers" (96.2%). A significantly larger proportion of care workers than facility managers believed that care robots "may lead to agitation in older adults" (p <.001). Conversely, a significantly larger proportion of facility managers than care workers believed that care robot use "improves the work efficiency of care workers" (p =.011). The use of care robots for fall prevention was positively perceived. However, high rates of accidents and near-misses were observed. Conclusions: These results indicate the need for appropriate operation manuals, training, and organizational systems for care robot use and for information sharing about successful care robot introductions and solutions to problems that arise.

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