Retirement
Robotic pets, Uber-like services in aged care’s future
Driverless cars for those in aged care are among the current innovations in the sector, and the federal government wants to get on board.
Robotic pets, Uber-like services in aged care’s future
Driverless cars for those in aged care are among the current innovations in the sector, and the federal government wants to get on board.
On Wednesday, Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt said the federal government will contribute $400,000 to ageing innovation accelerator, innovAGEING.
The federal government contribution will be matched by a contribution from Leading Age Services Australia (LASA). LASA is also co-ordinating the initiatives.
The accelerator, also launched on Wednesday, is designed to “drive and promote innovation across Australia’s rapidly growing aged care services industry”.
One of these innovations is driverless car technology, Pod Zero, which can transport aged care residents to appointments after they make a booking through a mobile phone app. Another innovation is the use of chicken-raising to boost residents’ wellbeing.
“From Uber-style provision of home care services and a mobile phone app to streamline staff rostering, to robotic pets for people with dementia, new ideas are already helping to change lives,” Mr Wyatt said.
“While technology will never supplant the need for personal, people-centred services, we know it can complement care and take safety and efficiency to new heights.
“Everything is on the table with innovAGEING. For example, the HenPower program successfully using chicken-raising to improve aged care residents’ wellbeing is not high-tech but it’s a great example of innovation.”
Continuing, Mr Wyatt explained that innovAGEING will establish a national network for the aged care industry, and also bring “progressive thinkers and practitioners” into the fold.
“Innovative approaches are fundamental to providing safe, quality, sustainable care in the long term,” he said.
It will feature a national awards program, twice-yearly innovations lab workshops and eight speaker events across the country every year.
Mr Wyatt said the awards program in particular will have a focus on outcomes, improving choice and experience for consumers while boosting wellness and re-ablement, and improving care, productivity and access to services.
InnovAGEING will also include an eight-week innovation program in which businesses and start-ups solve industry issues. This will culminate in a business plan competition.
At the same time, innovAGEING will also have an online network linking participants, experts and business development coaches.
Mr Wyatt said, “With predictions Australia will need almost 1 million aged care staff by 2050, growth and innovation in this sector are fundamentally linked.
“The innovAGEING initiative also complements the Turnbull government’s recent $34 million investment in dementia and aged care services research.”
LASA chief executive Sean Rooney said he welcomed the government’s investment, arguing that it will ensure the industry is “forward-thinking, high-performing and consumer-centric”.
Acknowledging that Australia’s ageing population presents an imperative for the aged care industry, he said innovation and collaboration needs to be ramped up.
“I encourage all providers of care and support in the age services industry, suppliers of products and services to the industry, relevant university centres and researchers, age services consumer groups, interested public sector agencies and investors to participate in the innovAGEING network,” Mr Rooney said, claiming that a national and collaborative approach is needed to carry out the reforms needed for the sector.
“innovAGEING will support our industry to leverage fresh thinking and the latest technology to provide real and lasting benefits for older Australians and is well aligned to the Turnbull government’s innovation agenda and aged care sector reform initiatives.”
RELATED ARTICLES
Retirement Planning
Majority of Australians anxious about retirement as super knowledge gaps persist, report finds
A new study by Aware Super has revealed that a significant majority of Australians aged 45 and over are feeling anxious about retirement, with nearly nine in ten respondents concerned they will run ...Read more
Retirement Planning
AMP’s MyNorth Lifetime boosts financial security and retirement income
AMP has reported that its MyNorth Lifetime retirement income solution is delivering significant financial benefits to retirees, with an average uplift of 50% in total income. Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement living sector calls for planning reforms amid declining construction confidence
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is urging governments to streamline planning systems to boost housing supply, following a decline in confidence in age-friendly construction activity. Read more
Retirement Planning
New laws to boost women's retirement savings through paid parental leave
The Australian Parliament has passed new legislation that will see superannuation guarantee contributions paid on the Commonwealth Government's Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. Read more
Retirement Planning
Planning systems under scrutiny as Australia's ageing population grows
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has called for governments to address planning system shortfalls in preparation for Australia's ageing population, following the release of new data from the ...Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement Living Council calls for focus on seniors' housing as population ages
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has urged governments across Australia to prioritise age-friendly housing solutions in response to new data revealing an ageing population. Read more
Retirement Planning
Macquarie University study reveals benefits of guaranteed income in retirement
A new study by Macquarie University's School of Psychological Sciences has found that mental health, enjoyment, and financial security are key benefits of incorporating guaranteed income and annuities ...Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement villages offer affordable housing amid market crisis, study finds
Retirement villages are providing a significantly more affordable housing option for older Australians compared to the traditional property market, according to new data released today. Read more
Retirement Planning
Majority of Australians anxious about retirement as super knowledge gaps persist, report finds
A new study by Aware Super has revealed that a significant majority of Australians aged 45 and over are feeling anxious about retirement, with nearly nine in ten respondents concerned they will run ...Read more
Retirement Planning
AMP’s MyNorth Lifetime boosts financial security and retirement income
AMP has reported that its MyNorth Lifetime retirement income solution is delivering significant financial benefits to retirees, with an average uplift of 50% in total income. Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement living sector calls for planning reforms amid declining construction confidence
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is urging governments to streamline planning systems to boost housing supply, following a decline in confidence in age-friendly construction activity. Read more
Retirement Planning
New laws to boost women's retirement savings through paid parental leave
The Australian Parliament has passed new legislation that will see superannuation guarantee contributions paid on the Commonwealth Government's Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. Read more
Retirement Planning
Planning systems under scrutiny as Australia's ageing population grows
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has called for governments to address planning system shortfalls in preparation for Australia's ageing population, following the release of new data from the ...Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement Living Council calls for focus on seniors' housing as population ages
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has urged governments across Australia to prioritise age-friendly housing solutions in response to new data revealing an ageing population. Read more
Retirement Planning
Macquarie University study reveals benefits of guaranteed income in retirement
A new study by Macquarie University's School of Psychological Sciences has found that mental health, enjoyment, and financial security are key benefits of incorporating guaranteed income and annuities ...Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement villages offer affordable housing amid market crisis, study finds
Retirement villages are providing a significantly more affordable housing option for older Australians compared to the traditional property market, according to new data released today. Read more
