Care Library
Practical guides, professional information and published research for people making care decisions.
Information for people making care decisions.
These resources are written for individuals, families, carers and care professionals. Alongside practical care and equipment information, the library includes Australian pilot results and published studies on CareBidet and automated excretion care. Choose a topic below to find information relevant to your situation.
Home care & mobility
Guides for understanding continence care at home, mobility-related toileting needs and the questions to consider before selecting equipment.
What happened in Australian care settings
Two Australian pilots provide a closer look at CareBidet use in a private home and a residential aged care setting.
Equipment options
Compare common toileting approaches, understand how automatic in-bed systems work and review CareBidet trial, rental and purchase pathways.
Clinical Research
Published studies examining skin integrity and caregiver experience with CareBidet and automated excretion care.
For care professionals
Resources for occupational therapists, support coordinators and aged care teams considering CareBidet as part of a care plan or service setting.
Project and case material
Supporting material that adds context to the Australian pilots and published research.
Not sure where to start?
Questions to Ask Before Selecting Continence Equipment is a useful first step. It covers the person, care environment, product and supplier so you can identify the questions that matter before comparing solutions.
Need help with a specific question?
Our team can help you find the most relevant resource or explain which information may be useful for your situation or care setting.
A Guide to Managing Continence Care at Home
Practical, dignity first strategies for supporting a loved one with continence needs at home.
Understanding Continence Care
Continence care is more than managing accidents. It is about protecting skin, sleep, dignity and the emotional wellbeing of both the person and their carer. Around 1 in 4 Australians live with some form of incontinence, and a significant portion are cared for at home by family members, partners or informal carers.
With the right approach, home care can be safe, sustainable and deeply respectful of the person receiving it. The most successful home routines share three qualities: consistency, a focus on skin integrity, and honest communication between the person, their family and any visiting clinicians.
Types of Incontinence, A Quick Reference
| Type | What It Means | Common Contributors |
|---|---|---|
| Stress | Leakage with coughing, laughing or movement | Weakened pelvic floor, post surgery |
| Urge | Sudden, strong need with little warning | Overactive bladder, neurological conditions |
| Overflow | Frequent dribbling; bladder never empties fully | Prostate issues, nerve damage |
| Functional | Physical or cognitive barriers to reaching the toilet | Mobility loss, dementia, Parkinson's |
| Mixed / Total | A combination, often in advanced care | Multiple contributing conditions |
Building a Sustainable Home Routine
- Timed toileting: Offer regular bathroom visits (every 2 to 3 hours) rather than waiting for signals.
- Skin first mindset: Prolonged moisture is the leading driver of Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) and pressure injuries. Clean, dry skin is the goal.
- Hydration matters: Reducing fluids often worsens continence, as concentrated urine irritates the bladder.
- Manual handling awareness: Log rolls and lifting are the top causes of carer injury, so plan two person transfers where needed.
- Night time planning: Accidents and skin breakdown peak overnight, so a robust night routine protects everyone.
When to Seek Professional Help
- Sudden change in continence pattern
- Signs of UTI (burning, fever, confusion)
- Persistent redness, broken skin or odour
- Carer feeling exhausted or unsafe
Who Can Support You
- GP or continence nurse advisor
- Occupational Therapist for equipment
- Home Care Package or NDIS coordinator
- National Continence Helpline: 1800 33 00 66
Toileting Options for People with Limited Mobility
An educational overview of toileting solutions across the mobility spectrum.
Why This Matters
Toileting is one of the most personal and physically demanding activities of daily living. When mobility declines through age, injury, neurological condition or surgery, the right toileting solution can be the difference between independence and full dependence, between healthy skin and pressure injuries, and between dignity and distress. This guide walks through the full spectrum of options available today.
The Toileting Continuum
| Mobility Level | Typical Presentation | Common Solutions | Primary Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent, slow | Uses toilet, may be unsteady | Grab rails, raised seat, non slip mat | Prevent falls |
| Ambulant with aid | Walker or frame to toilet | Over toilet frame, bidet seat | Preserve independence |
| Transfers with help | One or two person assist | Commode chair, sliding board | Reduce carer strain |
| Bed to chair only | Cannot walk to toilet | Bedside commode, urinal bottle | Limit log rolls |
| Fully bed bound | Cannot transfer at all | Pads, catheters or automated hygiene | Protect skin and dignity |
Key Considerations When Choosing
- Skin condition: Existing IAD, pressure injury history or fragile skin narrows the options considerably.
- Cognitive capacity: Does the person understand and cooperate with the equipment?
- Carer availability: Fewer available carers means more need for solutions that reduce manual handling.
- Environment: Bathroom size, door widths, floor surfaces and power outlets all shape what is possible.
- Progression: Choose equipment that can adapt as needs change, so families avoid buying twice.
A Note on Automation
For people who cannot transfer at all, automated in bed hygiene systems now exist that provide real water based cleansing and warm air drying without requiring transfers or pads. This category, pioneered by devices such as the CareBidet®, has grown significantly in Australian home and residential care because it directly addresses the two biggest risks in bed based continence care: prolonged moisture exposure and manual handling injury.
Questions to Ask Before Selecting Continence Equipment
Why the Right Questions Matter
Continence equipment decisions are often made quickly, during a hospital discharge, after a fall, or when carer burden reaches breaking point. Rushed choices frequently lead to equipment that is unused, unsuitable or has to be replaced within months. Asking the right questions upfront saves money, protects skin and preserves dignity.
1. Questions About the Person
- What is their current mobility level: ambulant, transfer assisted, or bed bound?
- Is there existing skin breakdown, IAD or pressure injury history?
- What is their cognitive status and ability to cooperate with equipment?
- Are there progressive conditions (Parkinson's, MND, dementia) likely to change needs?
- What are their personal preferences around dignity, privacy and independence?
2. Questions About the Care Environment
- How many carers are available, and for how many hours per day?
- Is manual handling already a known risk or injury source?
- What is the night time coverage: carer, family, or nothing?
- Are consumables (pads, wipes, linen) already straining the budget?
- Is the physical space suitable, including bathroom access, power, drainage and bed height?
3. Questions About the Product and Supplier
- Is there a trial period so we can evaluate before committing?
- What clinical evidence supports the product's outcomes?
- What ongoing support (training, servicing, troubleshooting) is included?
- Are cleaning, maintenance and consumables realistic for our setting?
- What funding pathways (NDIS, Home Care Package, aged care procurement) are supported?
Green Flags, Signs of a Good Fit
- Supplier offers a trial before purchase
- Clear published clinical evidence
- Ongoing training and technical support
- Adaptable as care needs progress
Red Flags, Proceed with Caution
- Pressure to buy without assessment
- No trial or return option
- Vague or absent evidence base
- Support ends at delivery
Adult Briefs, Commodes and Automatic Toileting Systems Compared
An educational side by side view of the three main continence care pathways.
Understanding the Three Categories
Most continence care in Australia relies on one of three broad approaches: absorbent products (adult briefs and pads), transfer based solutions (commodes), or automated in bed hygiene systems. Each has a legitimate role. The challenge is matching the right approach to the right person, in the right setting, at the right stage of their care journey.
How They Work
- Adult briefs and pads: Absorb urine and, to a limited degree, faeces. The skin remains in contact with the soiled product until a carer performs a change.
- Commodes: A portable toilet chair placed beside the bed. Requires the user to transfer, either independently or with assistance.
- Automated in bed systems: Sensor driven devices that detect voiding, remove waste and provide real water cleansing without requiring transfers.
Detailed Comparison
| Attribute | Adult Briefs | Commode | Automated (CareBidet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for bed bound | Partial | No | Yes |
| Provides real water hygiene | No | Yes | Yes |
| Manual handling required | High | High | Low |
| Skin moisture exposure | High | Low | Minimal |
| Night time coverage | Passive absorb | Requires assist | Continuous automatic |
| Ongoing consumable use | High | Low | Very Low |
| Dignity preservation | Low | Medium | High |
| Upfront cost | Low | Low to Medium | Higher |
| Long term running cost | High | Low | Low |
| Environmental impact | High (landfill) | Low | Low |
Choosing the Right Approach
For an ambulant person with occasional leakage, pads are usually appropriate. For someone who can transfer safely, a commode is often ideal. For those who are fully bed bound, especially with fragile skin, complex needs or limited carers, automated systems offer a step change in both clinical outcomes and dignity. Many care plans use a combination of approaches, adapting as needs change over time.
How Automatic In Bed Toileting Systems Work
What Is an Automatic In Bed Toileting System?
An automatic in bed toileting system is a medical device designed for people who cannot transfer out of bed to use a toilet or commode. Instead of relying on pads, wipes and manual repositioning, the system uses sensors to detect voiding events (urine or faeces) and automatically manages waste removal, warm water perineal cleansing and warm air drying.
The person remains lying comfortably in bed throughout the care cycle, which is delivered discreetly and consistently, day and night.
The Four Step Care Cycle
| Step | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Detect | Sensors identify urine or faeces the moment voiding occurs. | Removes the delay between accident and clean up, the main cause of skin damage. |
| 2. Remove | Waste is drawn through a sealed line into an odour controlled collection container. | Eliminates soiled pads, bed linen and biohazard exposure for carers. |
| 3. Cleanse | A moving warm water nozzle gently washes the perineal area. | Delivers real hygiene, not just absorption, protecting skin integrity. |
| 4. Dry | A warm air cycle dries the skin thoroughly. | Leaves skin clean, dry and comfortable, the ideal state for preventing IAD. |
Common Features Across These Systems
- Automatic detection: No button pressing required, the system responds to the voiding event itself.
- Temperature controlled water and air: Protects fragile skin from thermal injury.
- Sealed waste path: Reduces odour, cross contamination and carer exposure to biological hazards.
- Continuous operation: Provides consistent overnight coverage, historically the weakest point in bed based care.
- Compatible with most standard care beds and home settings.
CareBidet Pricing, Rental and Trial Options
Transparent pricing pathways for families, NDIS participants and procurement teams.
Our Approach to Pricing
WeissenBlu believes families and facilities should be able to make continence care decisions with clarity, not pressure. Every CareBidet® arrangement includes a 2-week trial, giving users, carers and clinicians time to evaluate fit before any long-term commitment.
Rental and purchase pathways are both available, and we work with NDIS, Home Care Package and aged care procurement funding channels.
Pricing at a Glance
| Option | Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Rental | $1,490 ex GST / month | Device, delivery, installation, training, ongoing service |
| Trial Period | 2 weeks included | On both rental and purchase pathways |
| Purchase | On request | Long term or facility wide deployment |
| Clinical Assessment | Free* | No obligation consultation before commitment |
*All Trials are free exempting the initial consumable cost for non-replaceable artefacts.
Understanding the True Cost of Care
When comparing options, it is important to look beyond the monthly device fee. Pads, wipes, linen changes, laundry, waste disposal and, most significantly, carer time all form part of the real cost of continence care. In many home and facility settings, these hidden costs are substantial.
Illustrative Cost Considerations (Home Setting)
| Cost Category | Traditional Care | With CareBidet |
|---|---|---|
| Disposable pads and liners | High weekly spend | Substantially reduced |
| Wet wipes | High weekly spend | Approximately 97% reduction (pilot data) |
| Linen and laundry | Frequent changes | Substantially reduced |
| Carer time (per episode) | Longer, physically demanding | Shorter, automated |
| Manual handling injury risk | Elevated | Reduced |
Note: A documented pilot in a Sydney home care setting recorded approximately A$988 per week in direct consumable savings alongside meaningful reductions in carer time and log rolls. Individual results will vary based on care needs and prior consumable use.
Information for Occupational Therapists and Support Coordinators
Clinical, functional and funding information to support confident recommendations.
Where Automated Hygiene Fits in Care Planning
Automated in bed hygiene systems occupy a specific and increasingly well defined place in the continuum of continence care. They are indicated for clients who are fully or predominantly bed bound, who have significant skin integrity risks, and where manual handling is a documented burden on carers.
The CareBidet® is one of the most established devices in this category and is used across home, aged care, palliative and hospital settings.
Client Indication Profile
- Mobility: Bed bound or requiring full assist transfers.
- Skin: History or active risk of IAD, pressure injury, or moisture associated damage.
- Neurological and progressive conditions: Parkinson's disease, MND, stroke, advanced dementia, spinal injury.
- Care burden: High manual handling load, limited carer availability, or overnight coverage gaps.
- Palliative and complex care: Where dignity, comfort and skin preservation are primary goals.
Functional and Clinical Considerations
| Domain | Consideration | Outcome Supported |
|---|---|---|
| Skin integrity | Real water cleansing and warm air drying | Reduced IAD and pressure injury risk |
| Manual handling | Removes need for repeated log rolls and pad changes | Lower carer injury risk |
| Dignity | Discreet, bed based, no soiled pads | Improved psychosocial wellbeing |
| Continence goals | Consistent management day and night | Better sleep, fewer UTIs reported |
Funding Pathways in Australia
- NDIS: Assistive Technology categories relevant to personal care, continence and manual handling risk mitigation.
- Home Care Packages: Level 3 and 4 clients frequently qualify under continence and equipment provisions.
- Aged Care Facility Procurement: Direct facility purchase or rental agreements.
- Private or self funded: 2 week trial available before commitment.
A Procurement Guide for Aged Care Facilities
The Three Pressures Every Facility Faces
Australian residential aged care facilities operate under three converging pressures: rising clinical acuity of residents, workforce shortages and injury risk among care staff, and tightening financial and compliance expectations. Continence care sits at the intersection of all three. It drives skin integrity outcomes, is the single largest source of manual handling events, and is one of the largest consumable line items on many facility budgets.
How Automated Hygiene Systems Address Each
| Pressure | Traditional Approach | Automated Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical quality | Pads and scheduled changes | Real water cleansing, day and night |
| Skin integrity | Reactive to redness or IAD | Proactive moisture management |
| Manual handling risk | Repeated log rolls | Log rolls significantly reduced |
| Workforce sustainability | High physical burden | Lower physical load, staff retention |
| Consumable spend | High pad and linen use | Substantially reduced consumables |
| Compliance | Meets minimum | Supports dignity of care KPIs |
| Sustainability | High landfill volume | Materially lower CO₂ footprint |
Procurement Considerations
- Pilot before scale: A single unit or single wing pilot is the most reliable way to validate fit.
- Clinical evidence base: Look for published outcomes across skin, workflow and resident experience.
- Total cost of care: Model the offset from reduced consumables, laundry, and manual handling incidents.
- Training and change management: Successful adoption depends on carer training, not just device delivery.
- Supplier partnership: Ongoing support, servicing and clinical governance matter more than headline price.
Alignment with Aged Care Quality Standards
Automated in bed hygiene supports Standard 3 (Personal and Clinical Care) through improved skin integrity and consistent hygiene; Standard 1 (Consumer Dignity) through discreet, respectful care; and Standard 7 (Human Resources) by reducing physical demand on staff. These are all areas of active regulatory focus in Australian aged care.
CareBidet Installation, Cleaning and Maintenance
Overview
The CareBidet® is manufactured by Curaco Inc. and designed for both clinical and home environments. This guide summarises what to expect during installation, day to day cleaning, and periodic maintenance.
WeissenBlu provides full onboarding, training and ongoing service support with every unit.
Installation at a Glance
- Placement: The main unit sits bedside on a stable surface, connected to standard mains power.
- Bed compatibility: Works with most standard care and hospital beds, and the user remains in bed throughout care.
- Wearable receiver: A soft, disposable lined receiver is positioned between the legs and connects to the main unit via a sealed line.
- Water and drainage: The system uses its own water reservoir, and waste is captured in a sealed, removable container.
- Setup time: Typically 30 to 45 minutes with a WeissenBlu clinician on site for first setup and training.
Daily Cleaning Routine
| Frequency | Task | Approx. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Every use | Automatic wash and dry cycle triggered by sensor | Automated |
| Daily | Empty and rinse the sealed waste container | 2 to 3 min |
| Daily | Wipe external surfaces with mild disinfectant | 1 to 2 min |
| Daily | Refill the clean water reservoir | 1 min |
| Weekly | Inspect nozzle, hoses and receiver seals | 5 min |
| Monthly | Filter check and replacement per user manual | 10 min |
Safety and Maintenance Principles
- Temperature limits: Water and air temperatures are factory limited to protect fragile skin.
- Sealed waste path: Reduces odour, cross contamination and carer biohazard exposure.
- Never bypass the manufacturer's cleaning intervals, as this preserves warranty and hygiene standards.
- Report any unusual noise, alarms, or performance changes to WeissenBlu promptly.
IAD and Pressure Injury Risk in Critical Care
A 2021 study of 55 ICU patients comparing CareBidet care with the unit's standard cleansing routine.
Study overview
Researchers looked at incontinence associated dermatitis, pressure injury risk measured with the Braden scale, and selected physiological measures. The CareBidet group received automated waste removal, warm water cleansing and warm air drying. The comparison group received manual cleansing with disposable wet wipes followed by natural air drying under the hospital's usual protocol.
Results
| Measure | Statistical result | Result reported in the paper |
|---|---|---|
| IAD score | F = 25.65, p < .001 | Slower progression in the CareBidet group |
| Braden score | F = 54.91, p < .001 | More favourable change in pressure injury risk |
| Serum albumin | F = 20.12, p < .001 | More favourable change over time |
| Lymphocyte fraction | F = 8.74, p = .003 | More favourable change over time |
| Total protein | F = 0.50, p = .484 | No significant difference in change over time |
The paper concluded that CareBidet care reduced IAD and pressure injury risk in this group of ICU patients. The authors also reported more favourable changes in albumin and lymphocyte measures.
Shin NY, Kim TG, Jang JY, Kim MY. The Effects of a CareBidet Robot for Defecation Care on Incontinence Associated Dermatitis, Pressure Ulcer Risk and Physiological Markers in Critical Care Patients. Journal of Digital Convergence. 2021;19(12):649 to 660.
Caregiver Preferences for Excretion Care Robots
A 2026 study asking professional caregivers which functions mattered most when comparing excretion care robots.
Study overview
Participants compared different combinations of four features. These were combined urine and faeces detection, automatic waste container disposal, washing and drying after defecation, and monthly rental price.
Results
| Feature | Relative importance | Statistical result |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic waste container disposal | 30.4% | β = 1.42, p = .010 |
| Combined urine and faeces detection | 26.4% | β = 1.23, p = .003 |
| Washing and drying after defecation | 22.3% | β = 1.04, p = .035 |
| Monthly rental price | 21.0% | β = -0.04, p = .047 |
Automatic waste disposal ranked first. Urine and faeces detection and washing and drying were also positively valued. Higher rental prices reduced the likelihood of a robot being selected.
Shin YS, Kim MY. A Discrete Choice Experiment on Professional Caregivers' Preferences for Bathing and Excretion Care Robots. Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems. 2026;32(2):150 to 157.
Caregiver Satisfaction After CareBidet Use
A 2026 field study recording caregiver ratings after four weeks of CareBidet use.
Study overview
The CareBidet group used the device for four weeks in normal care settings. Caregivers rated the level they wanted, the minimum level they considered acceptable, and the level they felt they had experienced after use. The study calculated the difference between the experienced rating and the minimum acceptable rating.
CareBidet results
| Attribute | MSA value | Result in this study |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | +2.6 | Highest positive difference above the minimum acceptable level |
| Effectiveness | +2.4 | Positive difference |
| Convenience | +2.2 | Positive difference |
| Safety | +2.0 | Positive difference |
| Cost | -0.1 | Below the minimum acceptable level |
Eight of the nine attributes measured for the excretion care robot had a positive MSA value. Cost was the only attribute below the caregivers' minimum acceptable level.
The authors found that caregiver ratings after use were above the minimum acceptable level for most of the attributes measured. They identified cost as an area needing improvement.
Park SS, Shin YS. Assessing the Satisfaction of Care Robot Users through the Measurement of Service Adequacy. Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems. 2026;32(2):135 to 140.
Environmental Impact and Care Workload
Two Korean project summaries supplied for this Care Library. One covers carbon emissions and the other looks at care time and caregiver burden.
Carbon emissions
The environmental project material compares paper diaper use with one excretion care robot over a five year scenario. It reports a 64.1% reduction in total CO₂ emissions under the comparison used in the project. The figures shown are 200 g CO₂ per use for paper diapers and 49 g CO₂ per use for the excretion care robot.
Care workload
The second project summary describes a usability test involving 10 facility caregivers. Caring time, physical burden and emotional burden were assessed using a mannequin, motion analysis equipment and video recording.
| Measure shown in the project material | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Night time excretion care time | 28.3% reduction using the ECR |
| Caring burden | 33.5% reduction compared with human care |
| Separate care time figure shown on the same project slide | 61.8% reduction |
Ministry of Environment Green Tech and Product life cycle analysis material, together with Ministry of Health and Welfare project material on excretion care robot use and service development. No journal citation was included with these project slides.
Pressure Injury Case Record
A photographic record from one patient case supplied with clinician commentary.
Case record
The supplied case file concerns an 83 year old woman with a pressure injury described in the document as Level 4. The file states that CareBidet use began during hospital care in July 2022 and continued at home after discharge.
| Date or period shown in the file | What the file records |
|---|---|
| 20 June 2022 | Pressure injury shown as Level 4 |
| 30 May 2023, about 10 months later | Pressure injury shown as Level 1 |
| About 13 months | Further photographic improvement shown |
The clinician commentary describes improvement during the period in which CareBidet was used alongside the patient's continuing hospital and home care.
It records one person's experience over time. It does not show that CareBidet caused the improvement. Pressure injury healing can be affected by wound care, pressure management, nutrition, mobility, other health conditions and the rest of the person's clinical care.
Curaco CareBidet pressure injury case material, including a photographic chronology and clinician commentary. The public summary does not reproduce the clinician endorsement or patient identifying information.
21-Day Home Care Pilot
A prospective single-subject pilot carried out in a private home in Sydney with a fully bed-bound participant receiving palliative care.
What was evaluated
The pilot tracked automated CareBidet cycles, manual cleansing, skin condition, pressure injury risk, dignity and distress, carer time, manual handling, consumable use, direct cost, patient experience and carer experience. Adverse events were recorded during the 21-day period.
Results recorded during the pilot
| Measure | Result reported |
|---|---|
| Automated hygiene cycles | 115 cycles, compared with 15 manual cleansings |
| Skin Score | Improved from 2 to 1 |
| Braden score | Improved from 8 to 10 at final review |
| Waterlow score | Improved from 20 to 17 |
| Wet-wipe use | 97% reduction |
| Disposable pad and linen use | 100% reduction |
| Lifting and log-roll events | 55% reduction per week |
| Carer time saved | 986 minutes, about 16.4 hours over 21 days |
| Direct consumable and labour saving | AUD 2,963.40 over the pilot |
Safety and experience
Two device-related events were recorded in the first week. Both were non-serious, resolved on the same day and resulted in changes to the operating procedure. No participant harm was reported. The participant rated sense of safety at 10 out of 10 at each weekly review. Carers rated ease of operation at 10 out of 10, with reduced physical strain recording a median score of 9 out of 10.
WeissenBlu Assistive. Automated Perineal Hygiene in a Bed-Bound Homecare Patient with Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer and Parkinson's Disease: A 21-Day Single-Subject Prospective Pilot Evaluation of the Carebidet System. Sydney, 2026.
8-Week Aged Care Pilot
A staff feedback report from an eight-week evaluation at Clover Lea Nursing Home.
Areas reviewed
The feedback forms covered skin integrity, continence support, clinical wellbeing, dignity, distress, workflow and manual handling. Staff responses came from several care and clinical roles within the facility.
Feedback pattern
| Area | What was reported |
|---|---|
| Skin integrity and continence support | Positive responses across all six feedback forms |
| UTIs | No UTIs reported during the evaluation period |
| Pressure injuries | No pressure injury development reported during the evaluation period |
| Resident experience | Residents were described as calmer, cleaner and less distressed during hygiene care |
| Manual handling | Reduced rolling and repositioning was reported to lower physical strain |
| Workflow | Staff reported that time saved during hygiene cycles could be redirected to other care tasks |
All six reviewed feedback forms recorded favourable responses in the clinical, comfort and workflow areas included in the pilot report.
WeissenBlu Assistive. Residential Aged Care Report, Clover Lea Nursing Home pilot. Eight-week pilot, six staff feedback forms.