care & love
How technology is bridging the gap in elderly care and restoring dignity to vulnerable populations
In a small village outside Dhaka, Bangladesh, 68-year-old Fatima Khatun has been bedridden for three years following a stroke. Her daughter, Salma, 32, gave up her job as a seamstress to care for her full-time. Each morning, Salma struggles to lift her mother to clean her, change her bedding, and prevent bedsores—a process that takes over an hour and leaves her back aching by noon. "I love my mother, but some days, I feel so tired I can barely stand," Salma admits. "And I worry she's embarrassed when I have to help her with… intimate things. She used to be so independent."
Fatima and Salma's story isn't unique. Across developing nations, a silent crisis is unfolding: aging populations, shrinking families, and a severe shortage of professional caregivers are leaving millions of elderly and bedridden individuals without adequate hygiene care. But in recent years, a new solution has emerged—one that's quietly transforming lives: hygiene robots . From incontinence care robots to elderly toilet washing robots , these devices are no longer the stuff of sci-fi. They're becoming a lifeline for families like Salma's, and governments across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are taking notice.
For bedridden or mobility-impaired individuals, poor hygiene isn't just uncomfortable—it's dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in low- and middle-income countries, 1 in 4 bedridden patients develops a urinary tract infection (UTI) or pressure sore due to infrequent cleaning. These infections can lead to sepsis, prolonged hospital stays, and even death. For caregivers, the toll is equally steep. A 2023 study in the Journal of Gerontology found that family caregivers in developing nations spend an average of 60 hours per week on hygiene tasks alone, leading to chronic fatigue, depression, and financial strain as many are forced to quit work.
"I Felt Like I Was Failing Her"
Maria Gomez, 45, cares for her 79-year-old mother, Rosa, in a small apartment in Lima, Peru. Rosa has Parkinson's disease and cannot walk or use the bathroom independently. "Before, I'd rush home from my part-time job to clean her, but some days, traffic was so bad I'd be an hour late," Maria recalls. "Rosa would cry, saying she was a burden. I felt like I was failing her." Then, last year, their local hospital introduced a pilot program with an automatic washing care robot —a compact device that fits over the bed and uses warm water and air drying to clean Rosa without lifting her. "Now, Rosa smiles during her morning routine," Maria says. "And I can work full-time again. It's not just a robot—it's given us our lives back."
At their core, hygiene robots are designed to handle the most intimate and time-consuming care tasks: bathing, toileting, and incontinence management. Unlike industrial robots, they're built with soft materials, gentle movements, and user-friendly controls to prioritize patient comfort. Let's break down the types making waves in developing nations:
"These robots aren't replacing caregivers—they're enhancing them," says Dr. Aisha Patel, a geriatrician at Delhi's Apollo Hospital. "A caregiver can't be in two places at once, but a robot can handle routine tasks, freeing up time for emotional support, medication management, and physical therapy. That's where the real value lies."
Developing nations aren't just experimenting with hygiene robots—they're investing in them at scale. So why the sudden push? Three key factors are driving this shift:
Countries like India, Brazil, and Thailand are experiencing rapid demographic shifts. By 2050, the number of people over 65 in developing nations will triple, according to the United Nations. Meanwhile, smaller family sizes (due to urbanization and declining birth rates) mean fewer adult children are available to care for aging parents. In Vietnam, for example, the average household size has dropped from 5.1 people in 1990 to 3.4 today—leaving many elderly without family support.
Professional caregivers are in short supply worldwide, but the gap is acute in developing nations. In Indonesia, there are just 0.3 trained nurses per 1,000 people (compared to 11 in the U.S.), according to the WHO. This shortage forces untrained family members to take on complex care tasks, often with little guidance. Hygiene robots help bridge this gap by handling repetitive, physically demanding work.
While hygiene robots aren't cheap—prices range from $500 to $3,000—they're often cheaper than hiring a full-time caregiver. In the Philippines, a live-in caregiver costs around $200–$300 per month; a robot, by contrast, is a one-time investment with minimal maintenance fees. "Governments are realizing that preventing infections with robots saves money on hospitalizations later," explains Dr. Patel. "It's an investment in both health and economic stability."
Across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, pilot programs are proving that hygiene robots work—even in resource-limited settings. Here are a few standout examples:
India: Incontinence Robots Cut Infections by 40%
In Bangalore, the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital launched a trial with 50 bedridden patients in 2022, providing each with an incontinence care robot . Before the robots, 62% of patients developed UTIs or pressure sores. After six months, that number dropped to 22%. "Patients are more comfortable, and nurses can focus on critical care instead of changing linens," says hospital administrator Rajesh Kumar. The program has since expanded to 10 more hospitals in Karnataka state.
Brazil: Robots for Rural Care
In Brazil's remote northeast, where many villages lack access to healthcare, the government partnered with local tech firm RoboCare to distribute bedridden elderly care robots to 200 families. The robots, powered by solar panels (to handle frequent blackouts), include a built-in camera for remote check-ins by nurses. "I used to worry about my grandmother when I worked in the fields," says farmer João Silva, 38. "Now, the robot sends me a text if she needs help, and the nurse calls twice a day. It's like having a helper in the house."
Thailand: Elderly Toilet Washing Robots in Nursing Homes
Bangkok's largest public nursing home, with 300 residents, installed 50 elderly toilet washing robots in 2023. Caregiver Pimchanok Wong says the robots have reduced her workload by 30%. "Before, helping residents use the bathroom took 15 minutes per person. Now, the robot does it in 5 minutes, and residents are more independent—they don't have to wait for me anymore." Resident Supaporn Thong, 82, adds, "I can go to the toilet by myself now. It makes me feel like I'm still in control."
Beyond reducing infections and saving time, hygiene robots are restoring something equally vital: dignity. For many elderly or disabled individuals, losing control over personal hygiene is a blow to self-esteem. "When you can't clean yourself, you feel like a child again," says 75-year-old Chen Wei, who uses an automatic washing care robot in Shanghai. "The robot lets me do it myself. I don't have to rely on anyone. That means everything."
For caregivers, the emotional relief is palpable. Salma, Fatima's daughter in Bangladesh, now uses a loaner robot from a local NGO. "Fatima doesn't cry during baths anymore," she says. "She jokes that the robot is 'her new helper.' And I can finally take a day off without feeling guilty. It's like we can breathe again."
| Aspect of Care | Traditional Care (Family/Caregiver) | Hygiene Robot Care |
|---|---|---|
| Time per patient (daily hygiene tasks) | 60–90 minutes | 15–25 minutes |
| Monthly cost (average) | $200–$300 (caregiver salary) | $0–$50 (maintenance only) |
| UTI/pressure sore risk | High (40–60%) | Low (10–20%) |
| Patient reported dignity | Low (35% feel "embarrassed") | High (85% feel "independent") |
| Caregiver burnout risk | High (65% report fatigue/depression) | Low (20% report reduced stress) |
Despite the progress, hurdles remain. Cost is a major barrier: even entry-level robots can cost $500–$1,000, which is out of reach for many families. Governments are stepping in with subsidies and loan programs, but distribution is uneven—rural areas often get left behind. Infrastructure is another issue: in regions with spotty electricity, battery-powered robots are a must, but replacement batteries can be hard to find.
Cultural acceptance also plays a role. In some communities, there's skepticism about "cold machines" replacing human touch. "We've had to educate families that robots aren't taking over—they're helping caregivers give better care," says RoboCare's CEO in Brazil. "Once they see the difference in their loved ones' happiness, most come around."
Training is another challenge. Caregivers and patients need to learn how to use the robots, which can be daunting for those with limited tech experience. "We've started offering in-home tutorials with local community health workers," says Dr. Patel. "Hands-on training builds confidence."
The future of hygiene robots in developing nations is bright—and increasingly affordable. Tech companies are partnering with local manufacturers to produce low-cost models tailored to regional needs. In China, for example, a basic incontinence care robot now costs as little as $300, down from $1,200 in 2019. In Kenya, a startup is developing a solar-powered elderly toilet washing robot priced at $250, with a pay-as-you-go rental option.
Governments are also ramping up support. India's National Health Mission now includes hygiene robots in its list of approved medical devices, making them eligible for insurance coverage. Brazil has pledged to provide robots to 10,000 low-income families by 2025. "This isn't just about technology," says Brazil's Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade. "It's about ensuring that every person, no matter their age or ability, can live with dignity."
For Fatima, Maria, and millions like them, hygiene robots are more than gadgets—they're a lifeline. They're proof that technology, when designed with empathy, can bridge gaps in care, ease suffering, and restore dignity. As developing nations continue to invest in these devices, they're not just building better healthcare systems—they're building more compassionate societies.
"The robot doesn't ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ love," Salma says, looking at her mother, who's now able to sit up and laugh while the robot works. "But it gives us the time and energy to love each other better. That's the real magic."