Evaluation of repositioning care provided by non-professionals using a caregiver-assistive device: an experimental study

As the population ages in Japan and worldwide, the number of informal caregivers, such as family members, providing nursing care to older individuals is increasing. Among caregiving tasks, repositioning care, which causes lower back pain, is frequent and burdensome for caregivers. Therefore, we developed a position-changing device that can adjust and support the care recipient’s body in the lateral position. This was a feasibility study of the device-assisted care provided by non-professionals using the device we developed. Of the 40 healthy volunteers enrolled, 17 simulated caregivers and 17 simulated care recipients finally participated in the study. One caregiver and one care recipient were paired to engage in two types of care: device-assisted care and manual care. Furthermore, the care provided by the caregiver and received by the care recipient were evaluated. Non-professionals were able to use the device successfully and safely after a short period of practice, and both caregivers and care recipients rated the device-assisted care positively. The study results suggest that informal caregivers can also provide safe and comfortable care that is less burdensome than manual care by using a caregiver-assistive device.