Best Hygiene Robots for Nursing Homes in North America

Walking through the doors of a nursing home, you're immediately struck by the quiet moments that define daily life there: the soft hum of conversation in the common room, the gentle rustle of a book being turned, the warm smile of a staff member assisting a resident with their morning coffee. These moments are the soul of caregiving—but beneath them lies a foundational element that shapes every aspect of a resident's well-being: hygiene. For older adults, especially those with limited mobility or chronic conditions, maintaining personal cleanliness isn't just about looking and feeling fresh. It's about preserving dignity, preventing infections, and holding onto a sense of self-worth that can easily erode when daily tasks become overwhelming.

Imagine, for a moment, a resident named Margaret, 87, who once took pride in her immaculate appearance. Now, due to arthritis and mild dementia, she struggles to button her shirt or wash her hands without assistance. When staff are stretched thin, a quick wipe with a might ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ a proper hand wash; when turning her for bed becomes a two-person job, delays in changing her sheets can leave her feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed. These small lapses, though often unintentional, chip away at Margaret's confidence. She withdraws from social activities, refuses meals, and her once-bright eyes dim. This isn't just about cleanliness—it's about humanity. And in nursing homes across North America, this story plays out more often than we'd like to admit.

Hygiene is the invisible thread that connects physical health to emotional well-being. Poor hygiene increases the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin breakdown, and even sepsis—all of which can lead to hospitalizations and a decline in quality of life. For staff, the emotional toll is equally heavy. Caregivers enter the field to nurture and support, but when they're rushing from one task to the next, struggling to meet the needs of multiple residents, even the most compassionate among them can feel like they're falling short. "You want to take the time to make someone feel cared for," says Maria, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) with 15 years of experience in Toronto, "but when you have 12 residents to bathe, dress, and assist with toileting in a 8-hour shift, something has to give. And too often, it's the 'little things'—the extra minute to dry their hands gently, the reassuring word while you help them—that make all the difference in how they feel about themselves."

To understand why hygiene robots are becoming a game-changer, we first need to acknowledge the uphill battle nursing homes face daily. Let's start with the numbers: according to the American Health Care Association, 9 in 10 nursing homes in the U.S. reported staffing shortages in 2024, with CNAs and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) being the most critically understaffed roles. In Canada, the situation is similar, with provinces like Ontario reporting a 30% vacancy rate for personal support workers (PSWs). When you're short-staffed, every minute counts—and hygiene tasks, which are time-intensive, often end up at the bottom of a never-ending to-do list.

Then there's the physical toll on staff. Lifting residents, bending to assist with toileting, and manually cleaning can lead to chronic back pain, shoulder injuries, and burnout. A 2023 study in the Journal of Nursing Management found that CNAs have a higher injury rate than construction workers—largely due to the repetitive physical demands of the job. When a caregiver is in pain, their ability to provide gentle, attentive care diminishes. "I used to love giving bed baths," Maria recalls. "It was a chance to chat with residents, hear their stories. But after a herniated disc last year, even leaning over the bed for 10 minutes leaves me aching. Now, I rush through it, just to get it done—and I hate that. The residents deserve better, and so do we."

For residents, the experience of receiving hygiene care can be fraught with anxiety. Many feel a loss of control when relying on others for tasks they once did independently. For those with dementia, the confusion of having a stranger assist with bathing or toileting can lead to resistance, agitation, or even aggression—a phenomenon caregivers call "care refusal." This not only delays necessary care but also strains the relationship between resident and staff. "Mr. Thompson, a former engineer, used to fight us every time we tried to help him with incontinence care," says James, a nurse manager in a Vancouver facility. "He'd say, 'I'm not a child—I can do this myself.' But his hands shook too much, and he'd end up getting frustrated and upset. It wasn't just about the cleaning; it was about him feeling like he'd lost his autonomy."

Finally, there's the issue of consistency. Even in well-staffed facilities, human error or oversight can lead to gaps in hygiene. A busy shift, a sudden emergency, or a miscommunication between teams can mean a resident misses a bath or has a delayed diaper change. Over time, these gaps add up, increasing health risks and eroding trust. For families, this is a constant source of worry. "I visit my mom every day, and I notice when her hair isn't brushed or her sheets feel damp," says Elena, whose 91-year-old mother lives in a New York nursing home. "I know the staff are trying, but it breaks my heart to see her like that. She deserves to feel clean and proud, not like an afterthought."

Enter hygiene robots—not as replacements for human caregivers, but as partners. These innovative devices are designed to handle the repetitive, physically demanding, or time-consuming aspects of hygiene care, freeing up staff to focus on what machines can't provide: emotional connection, companionship, and personalized attention. Think of them as an extra set of hands—gentle, reliable, and tireless—dedicated to ensuring every resident receives consistent, dignified care.

In North America, the adoption of hygiene robots is still in its early stages, but momentum is building. Facilities in states like California, Texas, and New York, as well as provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, are leading the charge, piloting and implementing these technologies to address staffing shortages and improve resident outcomes. The results so far are promising: a 2024 pilot program in a Los Angeles nursing home reported a 40% reduction in UTI rates after introducing incontinence care robots, along with a 35% decrease in staff-reported burnout. "It's not about replacing us," Maria says, reflecting on her facility's recent addition of a washing care robot. "It's about letting us do our jobs better. Now, instead of spending 20 minutes scrubbing a resident's hands, the robot handles the cleaning, and I get to sit with them, hold their hand, and ask about their day. That's the care I signed up to give."

From incontinence care to bed baths, these robots are tailored to address specific hygiene challenges. Let's take a closer look at the types making the biggest impact in North American nursing homes today.

Incontinence is a common issue in nursing homes, affecting up to 70% of residents, according to the National Association for Continence. For many, it's a source of deep embarrassment, leading them to avoid social interactions or even drinking enough water to prevent accidents. Traditional incontinence care—manual diaper changes, wipes, and cleanup—can be time-consuming, physically taxing for staff, and uncomfortable for residents. Enter the incontinence care robot: a device designed to detect, clean, and dry with minimal human intervention, prioritizing privacy and dignity above all.

How do these robots work? Most are integrated with the resident's bed or wheelchair, using sensors to detect moisture or changes in body position. When an accident occurs, the robot gently alerts the staff (or, in some advanced models, initiates cleaning automatically) and begins a multi-step process: first, positioning a soft, flexible nozzle near the affected area; then, using warm water and mild soap to clean the skin; followed by a gentle air-drying function to prevent moisture buildup. Some models even apply a protective ointment to reduce the risk of diaper rash or skin breakdown.

The benefits are immediate. For residents, the process is quick, quiet, and non-invasive—no more waiting for staff to become available, no more feeling exposed during cleanup. "Mrs. Gonzalez, who has Alzheimer's, used to cry during diaper changes," James says. "She'd pull away, say she was 'dirty' and 'ashamed.' Now, with the incontinence care robot, it's over in 5 minutes, and she barely notices. She stays calm, and afterward, she'll even smile and say, 'Thank you, that was nice.' It's like night and day." For staff, the time saved is significant: a manual change might take 15–20 minutes, while a robot-assisted change takes 5–7 minutes. Multiply that by 8–10 residents per shift, and the hours add up—time that can be redirected to feeding, medication reminders, or simply talking with residents.

In North America, models like the CareBot IncoClean and DignityAssist Pro are gaining traction. The CareBot IncoClean, developed by a Canadian startup, features AI-powered sensors that learn a resident's patterns, reducing false alerts, and a soft, latex-free cleaning head designed for sensitive skin. The DignityAssist Pro, available in the U.S. through major medical supply distributors, offers wireless connectivity, allowing staff to monitor multiple robots from a central tablet. Both are FDA-approved and compliant with Canadian health regulations, ensuring safety and reliability.

For bedridden residents—those who are unable to sit up, stand, or move independently—hygiene care is especially challenging. Prolonged bed rest increases the risk of pressure ulcers (bedsores), a painful and potentially life-threatening condition caused by reduced blood flow to areas of the body under pressure. Turning and repositioning residents every 2 hours is critical for prevention, but it's also one of the most labor-intensive tasks for staff. Add in bed baths, oral care, and hair washing, and the workload becomes overwhelming. This is where bedridden elderly care robots step in: sophisticated machines designed to assist with positioning, bathing, and pressure relief, all while keeping the resident comfortable and safe.

These robots often look like a cross between a hospital bed and a robotic arm, with soft, padded components that move gently around the resident. Many feature built-in pressure sensors that map the resident's body, adjusting positioning to distribute weight evenly and reduce pressure points. When it's time for a bed bath, the robot uses warm, soapy water jets and soft brushes to clean the skin, followed by a warm air dryer—eliminating the need for staff to lift, roll, or maneuver the resident repeatedly. Some models even include a built-in commode function, allowing for toileting without moving the resident from the bed.

The impact on resident comfort is profound. "Mr. Lee, who's been bedridden for two years due to a stroke, used to dread bath time," says Sarah, a nurse in a Seattle facility. "We'd have to roll him onto his side, prop him up with pillows, and sponge-bathe him—all while he winced in pain from muscle stiffness. Now, with our bedridden care robot, he lies comfortably on his back, and the robot does the work. He told me last week, 'This is the first time I've felt clean without feeling like I'm being 'moved around like a sack of potatoes.' It brought tears to my eyes."

For staff, the physical strain is significantly reduced. Repetitive lifting and turning are major causes of back injuries, but with the robot handling the heavy lifting, caregivers can focus on more nuanced aspects of care, like oral hygiene or hair brushing. "I used to go home every night with my shoulders aching from turning residents," Maria says. "Now, I press a button, and the robot repositions them smoothly. My back feels better, and I have more energy to actually talk to them instead of just 'getting through the task.'"

In North America, brands like RestEasy BedCare and ComfortMove Pro are leading the market. The RestEasy BedCare, developed in the U.S., offers customizable positioning programs for different body types and conditions, while the ComfortMove Pro, a Canadian model, includes a user-friendly touchscreen that staff can program with the resident's preferences (e.g., "warm water temperature," "gentle brush pressure"). Both are designed to integrate with existing nursing home beds, making installation easier for facilities.

Hand washing, face washing, and perineal care are daily hygiene tasks that, while seemingly simple, add up quickly for staff. In a facility with 50 residents, that's 50 hand washes, 50 face wipes, and 50 perineal cleanings each day—before even considering bathing or toileting. Washing care robots are compact, user-friendly devices designed to automate these routine tasks, freeing up staff time and ensuring consistency.

These robots come in various forms: some are small, tabletop units for hand washing, with sensors that detect when a resident places their hands under the faucet, dispensing soap, water, and air-drying automatically. Others are mobile carts that staff can wheel to the resident's bedside for perineal care, using disposable cleaning heads to prevent cross-contamination. Many are voice-activated, allowing residents with limited mobility to initiate care themselves—adding a sense of control to their daily routine.

For residents with limited hand function, like those with arthritis or Parkinson's disease, hand washing robots are a game-changer. "Ms. Carter, who has severe rheumatoid arthritis, couldn't grip a washcloth or turn on a faucet," says James. "Before the robot, we'd have to wash her hands for her, which she hated. Now, she just puts her hands under the sensor, and the robot does the rest. She smiles every time—like she's reclaiming a little piece of independence."

Staff appreciate the time saved, too. "I used to spend 10 minutes per resident just on hand and face washing," Raj notes. "With the robot, that's down to 2 minutes. Over a shift, that's an extra hour I can spend on other tasks—like helping with meals or taking residents outside for fresh air. It's not just about efficiency; it's about quality of life for everyone."

While specialized robots address specific hygiene needs, automated nursing & cleaning devices offer all-in-one solutions that integrate seamlessly into daily care routines. These devices combine features of incontinence care robots, washing care robots, and even environmental cleaning tools (like UV light sanitizers for surfaces), providing a holistic approach to hygiene management. Many include data-tracking capabilities, logging when care was provided, how long it took, and any issues detected (e.g., high moisture levels during incontinence care), which helps staff monitor trends and adjust care plans as needed.

One example is the CareMate 3000, a popular model in North America that includes a mobile base with interchangeable modules: a perineal care unit, a hand washing station, and a UV sanitizing wand. Staff can switch modules based on the resident's needs, reducing the number of devices needed in the facility. The built-in tablet displays the resident's care schedule, ensuring no task is missed, and sends alerts to staff if a resident requires assistance.

These devices also help with regulatory compliance, as detailed hygiene logs are often required by nursing home inspectors. "Before, we'd have to document each hygiene task manually, which was time-consuming and prone to errors," Sarah says. "Now, the automated device logs everything automatically, with timestamps and staff signatures. It gives us peace of mind, knowing we're meeting all the requirements—and it frees up time to focus on the residents, not paperwork."

With so many options available, choosing the right hygiene robot for your facility can feel overwhelming. To help, we've compiled a comparison of the most popular models in North America, focusing on key features, benefits, and availability.

At the end of the day, the true measure of these robots' value lies in the stories of the residents and staff whose lives they've touched. Take Margaret, the 87-year-old we met earlier, who once withdrew from social activities due to hygiene-related embarrassment. After her facility introduced an incontinence care robot and a washing care robot, her transformation was remarkable. "She now joins us for bingo every afternoon," Maria says. "She even brushes her own hair with the help of the hand washing robot. Last week, she told me, 'I feel like myself again.' That's the power of these devices—they don't just clean bodies; they heal spirits."

For staff, the emotional relief is equally significant. "I used to go home every night feeling guilty—like I hadn't done enough," Sarah admits. "Now, with the robots handling the repetitive tasks, I can focus on the parts of care that matter most: listening, comforting, connecting. My job feels meaningful again, not just exhausting."

Before investing in a hygiene robot, there are several factors to consider. First, assess your facility's specific needs: Do you struggle more with incontinence care, bedridden residents, or general hygiene routines? Next, consider space: some robots, like bedridden care models, require more room than others. Budget is another key factor—while these robots are an investment, many manufacturers offer leasing options or grants for long-term care facilities. Finally, involve your staff in the decision-making process. They're the ones who will use the robots daily, so their input on usability and features is critical.

Regulatory compliance is also important. Ensure any robot you purchase is FDA-approved (in the U.S.) or Health Canada-certified (in Canada) to guarantee safety and effectiveness. Look for manufacturers that offer training and technical support—you want to ensure your team feels confident using the technology.

As technology advances, the future of hygiene robots looks bright. We can expect to see more AI integration, with robots that learn resident preferences over time (e.g., "Ms. Gonzalez prefers warmer water for her bath") and adapt to their changing needs. Sensors will become more sophisticated, detecting early signs of skin breakdown or infection before they become visible to the human eye. And as demand grows, costs are likely to decrease, making these robots accessible to smaller facilities and rural areas.

Perhaps most exciting is the potential for these robots to work alongside other care technologies, like smart beds that monitor vital signs or telehealth platforms that connect residents with doctors. Imagine a future where a bedridden elderly care robot detects a pressure sore, alerts staff, and automatically schedules a telehealth appointment with a wound care specialist—all while continuing to provide comfort to the resident. This level of integrated care could revolutionize nursing home health outcomes.

Hygiene robots are more than just machines—they're tools that allow caregivers to reconnect with the heart of their work: human connection. By handling the repetitive, physically demanding tasks, these robots free up staff to provide the emotional support, companionship, and dignity that make nursing homes feel like home. For residents, they offer a chance to reclaim independence, reduce anxiety, and maintain their sense of self-worth.

As we move forward, it's important to remember that technology should never ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ human care—but it can enhance it. In the best nursing homes of tomorrow, you'll find a blend of warm, compassionate staff and innovative robots, working together to ensure every resident feels clean, comfortable, and loved. After all, at the end of the day, that's what caregiving is all about.