Informal caregivers provide over 30 billion hours of care to older adults each year. They often assist with toileting tasks which are often identified as one of the most physically and emotionally demanding activities of daily living. Caregivers receive limited training and support which increases their risk for injury and burnout. One potential strategy to reduce or replace the physical support needed from a caregiver is the used of an automated bidet system. It remains unknown whether an automated bidet can be used successfully with older adults and their caregivers at home. The objective of this feasibility study was to assess the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a toileting intervention using an automated bidet system and training by an occupational therapy practitioner (OT) to reduce the amount of physical assistance required from caregivers.
The investigators will recruit 10 informal caregivers and randomize them to the treatment or waitlist control group. Caregivers in the treatment group will receive the automated bidet right away while those in the waitlist control group will not receive any treatment during that time. After 30 days, both groups will participate in a post-test assessment visit. The waitlist control group will then be offered the intervention and invited to participate in a final session after 30 days to complete assessments and a process evaluation (30 days post follow-up).
