Current State of Healthcare Robots for Older Adults in Care Facilities in Japan and the Related Ethical Issues for Nurses

Abstract

This review discusses the introduction of healthcare robots, such as those that provide transfer, toileting, bathing, and communication assistance, in Japanese facilities for older adults and considers these issues from the perspective of nursing ethics. Although healthcare robots can support older adults and their caregivers, they may cause ethical dilemmas when introduced in assisted living facilities. Nurses should make ethical decisions by considering different types of information to determine the best care for older adults ; they can resolve ethical dilemmas by referring to the 6 principles of nursing ethics. As healthcare robots are increasingly used in the care of older adults, nurses should protect patients’ rights and ensure patient safety. Further, engineers and medical professionals must discuss and share issues related to the use of healthcare robots to build improved robotic technology for older adults. J. Med. Invest. 72 : 8-13, February, 2025