Gokurakuen nursing home implements care technology to reduce staff burden

Gokurakuen, a nursing facility in Nagoya, has successfully integrated various care technologies to address high staff turnover and physical strain. By adopting a “no-lift” care approach, the facility utilizes bed-mounted, floor-based, and ceiling-mounted care lifts for patient transfers. This shift aims to prevent back injuries among staff and reduce the physical burden on residents.

In addition to lifting technology, the facility uses automated air mattresses for nocturnal position changes to prevent pressure ulcers and excretion sensors to allow for more responsive, individualized care. These technological implementations, combined with a complete overhaul of bathing procedures, have significantly improved efficiency. For example, bathing assistance for bedridden residents was streamlined from five transfers to two, reducing the time required for two staff members from 40 minutes to a single person working for 30 minutes.

To address labor shortages, Gokurakuen introduced the ‘Smile Supporter’ program, which recruits local residents—including students and seniors—to handle indirect tasks like meal service and cleaning. This allows professional caregivers to focus on specialized medical and nursing duties. As a result of these combined efforts, the facility reported that average monthly overtime per employee dropped from 15 hours to 3 hours, and the turnover rate for nursing and care staff decreased from 23.2% to 3.3%. Notably, the rate of staff leaving due to back pain fell from 32% to 0%.