The aged care sector is undergoing significant reform throughout Australia. Our population is ageing rapidly, and there is a need for innovative design and technology solutions to create better opportunities for independence, social inclusion and community participation in residential aged care facilities.
COVID-19 has exposed gaps in the quality of care provided in residential aged care. As the aged care sector works to rebuild trust and transparency, some facilities are focusing their attention on technology to transform their facility to meet the ageing population’s needs.
Today, older people have greater expectations for their care and lifestyle, are tech-savvy and naturally want to remain connected to their family, friends and the community. This raises questions like, “What is the best way to care for seniors?” and “How can we create environments that support them to live their best life?”
The answers create an opportunity for developers and designers to disrupt the traditional model of aged care, or redevelop facilities to support change using innovative technology and design.
Innovation through facility design
Major transformations are occurring within the aged care sector, with more providers focusing on ways to deliver exceptional customer care and experience, for both the resident and the visitor.
A person-centred design maximises the resident’s abilities, living experience and independence. The challenge lies in creating connected communities that create stimulation and engagement, whilst keeping staff, residents and visitors safe. With this in mind, savvy developers are recognising that technology is the key to designing spaces within aged care facilities that offer the opportunity for residents to learn, rest, be active, and socialise without compromising their sense of security.
Smart technology for healthy ageing
Aged care technology supports facility management by providing valuable data, making operations more efficient and automating essential monitoring such as temperature checks and contact tracing, allowing carers to focus more on residents’ care.
Nurse call platforms enable fast communication, improve workflows and staff efficiencies, enhance patient care and safety in aged care facilities.
Top 8 Technology Innovations Re-shaping the Future of Aged Care
1. Access control and movement sensors
Infra-red movement alarms and sensors help with access control and passive surveillance by embedding sensors in rooms which can track movement and set off an alarm if a resident falls, or in living spaces and corridors to help residents navigate their environment.
2. Dementia Management
The Confused Resident Information System (CRIS) provides a system to assist with the care of residents with differing levels of cognitive impairment, ranging from confusion to debilitating dementia. The system monitors the resident’s behavioural profiles and alarms when breached. It also uses ushering to guide the resident safely without the need to enter the room.
3. Thermal Imaging Cameras
With the increased demand for contact tracing systems, and visitor and staff monitoring, all residential aged care facilities should be using thermal imaging cameras to quickly and non-invasively screen body temperatures of people entering the area. The system can alert staff via the nurse call system, prompting quick action to isolate and avoid the spread of infection.
4. Localisation (RTLS)
Vitalcare’s nurse call system supports Real-Time Location System (RTLS) and is used to automatically identify and track the location of residents to predetermined zones in real-time.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The AI-powered functionality can check inconsistencies in biometric data and detect a significant fall and sound an alarm. This technology can assess a resident’s behaviour and can identify cognitive changes helping to personalise the care for each resident.
6. Wearable medical devices
Vitalcare’s personal and medical monitoring devices function as a pendant or smartwatch, SOS alarm, fall detector and GPS tracker. It connects to the Rosie 24/7 emergency response network to provides GPS tracking, geofencing, and monitoring capabilities for assisted daily living.
7. IoT technology
Vitalcare’s wireless nurse call technology uses the Internet of Things (IoT) to deliver a highly reliable, versatile system to collect, process and transfer information between caregivers and residents. IoT technology supports two-way wireless pendants and call points, smartphones, pagers, DECT phones, bed sensors, dementia management, infra-red sensors and wandering resident devices.
8. Cloud-based enterprise reporting
In many ways, the Vitalcloud cloud-based management reporting system sits at the centre of all these advances. It connects the nurse call system and devices and provides access to real-time call status, response time statistics, audit reports and system maintenance for facilities, allowing them to compare and benchmark performance.
Future of aged care technology and design
The future of aged care is transforming. By using creative design and making the most of technology, we can create purpose-built areas and spaces that are safe and encourage independence, social interaction and community participation.
With innovative technology and design at our fingertips, the future for safe and connected communities never looked so bright.
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It’s great that technology can be used to make aged care safer and more connected. I would imagine it gives the residents more independence, too. I’ll start looking for an aged care facility that uses technology more so that the residents can have more independence.