(The Big Picture: Robots are playing a vital role in attracting talent and improving employee retention in the senior care industry by creating a supportive work environment, improving efficiency and workflow, automating repetitive tasks, and reducing physically demanding duties. MedBest also lists types of robots currently being used in our industry and what you need to consider when implementing robotics such as training, data security, and expense.)

Facing high employee turnover and staffing shortages, the senior care industry is turning to robotics to complete a variety of daily tasks that benefit workers and patients alike. By easing the workload, robots offer the potential to alleviate staffing challenges and improve employee retention. Let’s dive in deeper and explore how robots are making a positive impact on jobs within the senior living and long-term care workplaces.

Increasing Overall Employee Satisfaction  

-Reducing Physical Challenges and Strain

Robots can take over repetitive and physically demanding duties including lifting, cleaning etc. helping to reduce the risk of injuries and strain among the staff.

-More Time for Meaningful Work

Robots can handle routine or administrative duties which allows staff to focus on more meaningful tasks such as direct care and engagement with residents.

-Demonstrating Investment in Staff

By implementing robotics, it shows your employees that leadership is willing to invest in tools that make their jobs easier which in turn, can boost morale and retention. It can also attract new talent interested in working with a forward-thinking and innovative organization.

Automating Repetitive & Physically Demanding Tasks

– Cleaning & Disinfecting

Robots can autonomously vacuum, mop, and disinfect large areas which helps to maintain cleanliness freeing up housekeeping teams to focus on more detailed duties and reducing their physical strain. This can lead to greater job satisfaction and potentially lower turnover.

-Delivery of Goods

Robots can transport meals, deliver medications and supplies throughout a senior care facility. This reduces the workload and multiple trips of CNAs and other staff, allowing them more time for patient care.

-Lifting & Transporting

Robotic lift-assist devices help caregivers to safely transfer or reposition residents, minimizing risk of injury to both staff and residents.

Enhancing Resident Care & Safety

-Monitoring & Alert Systems

Robots equipped with sensors and AI can monitor residents’ movements, vital signs, and behavior patterns. They can detect falls or other emergencies and alert staff immediately, leading to quicker intervention and potentially better resident outcomes.
 

-Medication Management

Some robots can assist with medication dispensing and reminders, ensuring residents receive the correct doses at the right times, reducing the burden on nursing staff and improving medication adherence.

 -Companion Robots

These robots are designed to provide companionship, engage residents in conversations and activities, and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.  However, they do not and cannot replace human interaction. They merely supplement it. Plus, pet robots can also offer comfort, emotional support, reduce loneliness and anxiety, and serve as a calming tool without the responsibilities of a live animal.

 

Improving Efficiency & Workflow

-Reducing Response Time

Robots can quickly deliver items or clean areas reducing delays and improving service level.

-Enhancing Communications

Some robots are equipped with communication tools, enabling staff to send requests or updates instantly, improving collaboration and coordination between departments.

-Food Service Delivery

Robots can assist in serving meals in dining rooms, delivering food to residents’ rooms, and even bussing tables. This can streamline dining operations and free up dietary staff for more personalized resident interactions.

-Information & Directions

Robots can provide residents and visitors with information, directions, and answers to common questions, reducing the demands on front desk staff and other employees.

-Data Collection & Analysis

Robots equipped with sensors can collect data on various aspects of resident care and facility operations. AI can then analyze this data to identify trends, optimize workflows, and improve the quality of care.

Types of Robots Currently Used in Senior Care

-Therapeutic Robot is used for emotional support and companionship

-Companion Pet robots are used for social engagement and comfort

-Medication robots can deliver, medication, linens, and supplies

-Automated cleaning robots are used for vacuuming and floor cleaning

-Food and beverage robots deliver meals in dining areas

-Personal assistant robots have voice interaction, video calling, and navigation capabilities.

-Assistive eating technology robots have smart utensil handle that stabilizes residents with hand tremors especially those with Parkinson’s disease or mobility issues.

-Remote check-ins and virtual visit robots welcome visitors

Robots Make Senior Care Jobs Easier

Robots can make senior care jobs easier for a number of positions including a Nursing Home Administrator, Director of Nursing, Wellness Director/Resident Services Director, etc. by streamlining operations, improving quality of resident care, and easing workforce challenges and overload. Robots can help to prevent burn-out.

For example, a Director of Nursing might use the following robots to take labor-intensive and repetitive tasks off their plate: medication dispensing robots, disinfectant robots that use UV light or hydrogen to disinfect rooms, and monitoring and safety robots to track resident movement and prevent falls. DONs will also find that personal assistant robots act as a hands-free support tool that enhances their time management, schedule and task management, communication, and care coordination.

A Wellness Director and Resident Service Director in senior care would benefit from robots that support resident engagement and emotional well-being such as social and companion robots, physical activity and rehab robots, and entertainment robots. These robots allow Wellness Directors and Resident Services Directors to focus more on program development and proactive health initiatives.

A Nursing Home Administrator, Executive Director and Assisted Living Administrator would benefit from all the aforementioned robots plus additional robots programmed for operational tasks, administrative and documentation tasks, staff coordination and scheduling, and the telepresence robot which enables remote meetings with families, physicians, or staff and virtual tours. Robots take away tedious and repetitive tasks.

Considerations for Implementing Robotics

Implementing robotics in senior living and long-term care facilities requires thoughtful planning to ensure smooth integration and positive outcomes. Key considerations are:

-Staff Training

Organizations need to provide hands-on training and ongoing support to help staff understand how to operate and interact with robots.

-Resident Acceptance

Ensure that your robots are user friendly and non-threatening to residents.

-Privacy & Data Security

Ensure robots comply with HIPAA and other data privacy regulations.

-Cost-Effectiveness

Evaluate your upfront investment vs long-term savings in labor efficiency and quality of care.

-Maintenance & Technical Support

Contract with vendors that offer strong support, troubleshooting, and standard service agreements.

-Customizable

Make sure the robots selected offer solutions that can be tailored to your community.

As senior living executive recruiters, we understand that robotics can play a vital role in attracting talent and improving employee retention by creating a supportive work environment. Through automating repetitive tasks and reducing physical and mental strain, robots help to alleviate stress and burnout making senior living and long-term care communities more attractive and sustainable places to work.

Looking to hire executive talent at the C-Suite, VP, Director, Regional or Community level? Contact MedBest at 727-526-1294 / info@medbest.com.

 About MedBest:

MedBest is an award-winning national Executive Search Firm exclusive to the Senior Living / Long Term Care Industry. For more than two decades, we have connected senior living / long term care organizations with exceptional senior living executive talent for both permanent and interim roles. MedBest was named as a Top 20 Executive Search Firm in the US 2024 and Top 10 Interim Services Provider 2023! In addition, we were one of American’s top companies by Inc.5000 and a Tampa Fast 50 Company in 2021! MedBest is a member of the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS) and American Staffing Association (ASA). Contact MedBest at info@medbest.com / 727-526-1294.