Humanization Evaluation of Shower Wheelchairs in Eldercare Facilities

Humanization of care practices is essential in eldercare settings, as it is crucial to balance providing services for resident needs while preserving their dignity and wellness. Shower assistance, in particular, presents unique challenges to the humanization experience due to its inherently sensitive nature. However, existing research does not comprehensively explore the humanization experience associated with using shower wheelchairs. This research examines the experiences of caregivers and older adults with shower wheelchairs in eldercare facilities, focusing on the physical and mental aspects of humanization. User interviews were conducted, and three different types of shower wheelchairs were selected for user experience testing. This involved 6 caregivers and 38 older adults across two eldercare facilities for two-week periods per wheelchair type. Feedback on each shower wheelchair was gathered through participant interviews after user tests. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the feedback data, conducted using NVivo text analysis software, identified and prioritized their concerns and challenges related to the humanization aspects. The analysis results were used to create a framework for evaluating the humanization experience, which was then applied to assess the shower wheelchairs. The research findings highlight the relationship between the humanization experience and the characteristics of shower wheelchairs, providing valuable recommendations for design considerations for the related industries and implementation of shower wheelchairs for eldercare facilities.