Concept design of bathing aids for long-term care institutions

Abstract

Due to the shortage of care service personnel in Taiwan and persistent time pressure, assisting residents with bathing in long-term care facilities is one of the most physically demanding caregiving tasks. Bathing requires a series of labor-intensive actions, including transferring, repositioning, washing, rinsing, drying, and dressing, which impose substantial physical strain on caregivers.This study first investigated these occupational risks through an empirical assessment involving 15 Taiwanese care service personnel. Using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method and a musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire, the results clearly classified bathing tasks as high-risk operations. Both posture risk scores and reported pain were most concentrated in the lumbar region, indicating significant lower-back strain and a clear need for intervention.Based on these findings, the study proceeded to develop a specialized bathing assistive device. The product development followed a standard design workflow, beginning with direct observations and needs analysis from frontline caregivers, which were translated into concrete design objectives and technical specifications. The design process integrated functional design, mechanical structure, human factors (ergonomic) considerations, and appearance design. The final product key functions include safe transfer between bed and device, assisted mobility between bedroom and bathroom, usability for both sitting and lying down, hygienic temporary waste management, and simplified operation and maintenance. Overall, the device effectively reduces physical and mental burden on caregivers while improving bathing efficiency and safety.

Keywords: Product Development, Product Design, Bathing Assistive Device, Long-term Care Institutions

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007437