Our consultations with aged care providers across the industry suggest that new residents entering into residential aged care prefer a wider choice of living arrangements reflecting their pre-care lifestyles. This could include better dining, accessible technology (e.g. Foxtel and wi-fi availability) and optional outings and art-health activities.
Future direction for the sector - pages 30,31
Technology and aged care services There is strong empirical evidence that increased consumer choice improves consumer wellbeing (Productivity Commission, 2011). Aged care providers that are unable to meet preferences for increasingly personalised, specialised and complex care in a more consumer-centric market may not be viable in the future. However, the provision of such services can be costly given the scale and scope of aged care packages. In order to provide these services in an efficient manner, aged care providers will access new technologies in their customer care and management operations wherever possible.
case study of technology adoption - Allity
Allity is a residential aged care services provider in Australia, operating 44 homes across four states (Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland).Given the shift towards a market-based, consumer-directed model for aged care services, Allity recognises that it is important that the design briefs of these new homes reflect what is important to the consumer. David Armstrong, CEO of Allity, highlights a number of features of one of their newer homes as an example of this: “our Greenwood facility in Normanhurst contains 107 rooms with ensuites, and has been built to present as a boutique hotel-style accommodation. Bedrooms have been designed with warmth and character and offer plenty of private space. The Home provides an average gross floor area of 89 sqm per resident, and an average suite size of over 24 sqm plus ensuite in addition to external access to courtyards or balconies.” The size of Greenwood and other similar new residential aged care facilities means that staffing can be expensive. This means that the use of technology is important in order to provide an appropriate level of care and service to all residents across a large area. According to David, these technologies include “systems to manage our residents’ care which allows us to tailor it to their individual needs as well as increasing the efficiency of our staff, maximising their available time with our residents. The care plans can also be centrally reviewed ensuring consistent high quality care is provided across the group, as well as allowing us to benchmark our homes.” Other initiatives at Allity focus on improving residents’ environment. David says that this includes “using technology to remove institutional alarms and alert signage by replacing them with discreet phone messaging linked to nurse call systems. We enhance their lifestyle by connecting them with their family and friends via the internet (SWIFT- check ), or providing them with cinema experiences without leaving the home (SWIFT- check ), . We are also evaluating virtual reality options (SWIFT- check offer something similar ), to allow residents to enjoy various locations around the world from the comfort of their bed.”
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