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. 2024 Apr;46(4):315-326.
doi: 10.1177/01939459241234233. Epub 2024 Feb 29.

Reducing the Burdens of Paid Caregivers of Older Adults by Using Assistive Technology: A Scoping Review

U Yeong Choi  1 , Patrick Patterson  2 , Norma Chinho  2   2
Affiliations

Reducing the Burdens of Paid Caregivers of Older Adults by Using Assistive Technology: A Scoping Review

U Yeong Choi et al. West J Nurs Res. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Paid caregivers are needed to support older adults, but caregiver burden contributes to high turnover rates. Assistive technologies help perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and can reduce caregiver burden, but little is known about how they impact paid caregivers.

Objective: This scoping review provides an overview of evidence on using assistive technology to reduce burdens on paid caregivers working with older adults.

Design: The review was conducted from May to August 2022. The eligibility criteria included: (1) publication within 5 years in peer-reviewed journals, (2) investigation of assistive technology, (3) main participants include paid caregivers supporting older adults, and (4) describing impacts on caregiver burden. Searches were conducted in 6 databases, generating 702 articles. The charted data included (1) country of study, (2) participant care roles, (3) study design, (4) main outcomes, and (5) types of assistive technology. Numerical description and qualitative content analysis of themes were used.

Results: Fifteen articles reporting on studies in 9 countries were retained for analysis. Studies used a variety of quantitative (8/15), qualitative (5/15), and mixed (2/15) methods. Technologies studied included grab bars and handrails, bidet seats, bed transfer devices, sensor and monitoring systems, social communication systems, and companion robots. Articles identified benefits for reducing stress and workload, while paid caregivers described both positive and negative impacts.

Conclusions: Literature describing the impact of assistive technology on paid caregivers who work with older adults is limited and uses varied methodologies. Additional research is needed to enable rigorous evaluation of specific technologies and impacts on worker turnover.

Keywords: assistive technology; healthcare; paid caregivers; personal support workers.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA-ScR source selection diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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