This upcoming technology could solve Australia’s aged care workforce shortage

Key points:

• A Monash Business School Professor has highlighted the positive impact of using robots in Australian workplaces to enhance ‘productivity and address labour shortages,’ such as in the aged care sector
• Estimates suggest that 212,000 full-time worker roles in the aged care industry will be vacant by 2050, making it harder for older Aussies to access quality aged care
• However, using technology such as cobots may cause concern for some older Australians who prefer human contact and conversation

Older Australians could be at risk of receiving low-quality aged care services if new technology, such as robots, is not used to combat the current aged care workforce shortages. 

Estimates suggest that 212,000 full-time worker roles in the aged care industry will be vacant by 2050. 

The problems associated with staff shortages in aged care homes include employees being given increased workloads and having less time to assist older Australians in improving health outcomes. Additionally, older Australians in aged care homes may become upset and disgruntled as their fees remain steady when the quality of care declines.

Collaborative robots, also referred to as cobots, are commonly used in manufacturing plants to lift and manoeuvre heavy objects that humans can’t.

Researchers have now suggested that using robots to collaborate with aged care workers could reduce workload and physical strain, allowing aged care workers to spend quality time with older Australians. 

The benefits of using cobots include increasing efficiency and speed of tasks, which means that aged care workers could provide more time assisting residents.

With the required aged care minutes for residents across the sector now increased to an average of 215 minutes per resident on October 1, 2024, managing time more effectively using technology could increase the quality of care for aged care residents. 

Conversing with older Australians shouldn’t be hurried and residents should be encouraged to communicate their needs, essential aspects that may be more difficult to achieve when time is limited.

Depending on the situation, cobots are safe and reliable and could reduce workplace risks associated with heavy lifting, such as moving immobile residents. In one study, using cobots improved carers’ posture when lifting and reduced their fatigue as they did not have to lift as much.

Cobots could also help residents get dressed, assist with personal hygiene, clean residents’ rooms and prepare meals.

However, Monash Business School Professor Herman Tse commented on how uncertainty related to robots and technology could increase workers’ stress levels due to job insecurity and limited trust in technology such as cobots. 

“Workers often perceive cobots as potential threats to their job stability, especially when collaboration between humans and machines is minimal,” he said.

“[Reduced] collaboration may be perceived as a strategy to automate work and replace operators with machines.”

Additionally, some Australians are concerned about using smart technology because of possible data and privacy breaches. Researchers of another study found that concerns were also related to confidentiality of information and experiencing social isolation as human contact may be reduced.

However, in one study, researchers identified that although using cobots without human assistance can improve wait times for people needing assistance, only aged care workers can provide human interaction and ensure that older Australians are moved most safely. 

Aged care workers and residents should be aware that robots are unlikely to replace human workers completely as the technology cannot provide physical touch or make moral decisions. Additionally, some older Australians may be unhappy with a solely technological presence. 

Professor Tse highlighted that while change associated with technology and processes can seem unnerving, the benefits of cobots and related technology are also expected to enhance productivity.

“Cobots enhance productivity and address labour shortages, making them attractive for both large and small businesses and advancements in cobot technology will further boost their adoption in Australian workplaces,” he said.

Approximately 370,000 aged care workers are employed in Australia, according to recent data from the Department of Health and Aged Care. 

In addition to the possibility of reducing the workforce shortage, incorporating technology such as cobots into aged care homes could also increase productivity from 50 percent up to 150 percent. 

Using technology in workplaces is becoming more common, as the Australian College of Nursing recently released a statement regarding the use of artificial intelligence in Australian healthcare settings.

If artificial intelligence is implemented in Australian healthcare settings, such as aged care homes, nurses could use artificial intelligence to manage general administrative tasks, allowing nurses to use their training and knowledge in more urgent matters such as direct care.

Other forms of technology are also being used in training to improve the quality of mealtimes in Australian aged care. Dementia Australia has developed a virtual reality experience called Dine with Ted to help healthcare workers understand what mealtimes are like for people with dementia. 

The three-hour virtual reality program is delivered in person and aims to educate participants on several dining aspects that affect people with dementia, including:

• what it’s like to eat in an aged care home;
• how certain factors can impact the dining experience and how to improve these; and
• how to assist when eating behaviours change.

Approximately 456,000 Australians live in residential facilities, home care, transition care or short-term restorative care, as per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 

What do you think about robots being used in aged care settings?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

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