Nursing homes are turning to robots to handle many caregiving tasks as they face high staff turnover and an aging population. But few studies have looked at how these machines affect workers and the quality of care.

New research from the University of Notre Dame shows robots may help more than hurt. The study found that using robots improves staff retention, boosts productivity, and leads to better care for patients.

Most research on robots has focused on factories, but this study looked at nursing homes in Japan, where surveys were taken in 2020 and 2022. Japan offers a glimpse of the future for many countries, with a growing elderly population and fewer working-age people.

“In a super-aging society like Japan, these trends highlight challenges that other nations will soon face,” the researchers said.

In the U.S., more than 57 million people were 65 or older in 2022. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to 88.5 million. Robots could ease the strain on caregivers and improve life for patients if used wisely.

What Robots Do in Nursing Homes

The study looked at three main types of robots:

• Transfer robots, which lift, move, and turn patients.
• Mobility robots, which help patients walk, move, or bathe.
• Monitoring robots, which track patient activity with sensors and share data with staff.

Robots help workers by making the job less physically demanding, which keeps more staff from quitting. “Turnover is a big issue in nursing homes,” the researchers said. “The work is hard, the pay is low, and staff often suffer pain in their knees and back. Robots reduce this strain, which helps with retention.”

The study found robots also changed hiring patterns. Facilities that used robots hired more part-time and less experienced workers, while relying less on experienced staff.

Benefits for Patients

Patients in facilities using robots were less likely to be restrained and suffered fewer pressure sores, a common problem in nursing homes caused by lack of mobility. These are key signs of good care.

By taking over physical tasks, robots free caregivers to focus on what humans do best: offering personal attention, empathy, and dexterity. “Robots let workers focus on care that only people can provide,” the researchers said.

As the population ages, robots could be part of the solution. By easing the burden on caregivers and improving patient outcomes, they might help societies meet the growing demand for elder care.

The challenge isn’t whether to use robots but how to use them well.