Resources

Barbara Barbosa Neeves and researcher colleagues from Monash University sought to understand how different aged care stakeholders imagined, designed, and implemented artificial intelligence (AI) for aged care. Their research revealed ageist perceptions as well as a need for a better understanding of the complex aged care environment in designing or implementing technologies for the sector. 

A workbook is being trialled to help older Australians self-manage their health and continue to achieve their goals after the intensive support of restorative care programs ends. The workbook is part of an ARIIA research grant addressing the gap in services that many restorative care program participants experience before their ongoing home support kicks in.

More than ever the Australian aged care sector needs evidence-based innovative solutions, to deliver cost-efficient care to meet the growing needs of an ageing population with complex needs and minimise the workloads of aged care workers. Dr Stephanie Champion explains what the ARIIA Innovator Training Program is doing to meet this sector need.

Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is an emerging area for aged care in Australia. With VAD operating in all Australian States by the end of November 2023, aged care providers and staff will increasingly receive questions about VAD from those they care for and their families. In this blog, Penny Neller from End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) answers common queries about VAD in aged care.

‘You cannot feel what it is like inside our minds. Without us, you only have half the story.’ Kaele Stokes from Dementia Australia describes a new free resource ‘Half the Story’ aimed at helping organisations engage in meaningful consultation with people living with dementia, their families and carers.

Staff satisfaction is a predictor of consumer satisfaction and yet the two are often addressed separately. However, staff satisfaction can be built into the pursuit of quality care using clinical governance as a bridge between the two. In these days of searching for solutions to staff retention and consumer satisfaction, addressing them together offers the potential to reap significant rewards for consumers and staff.

The next generation of aged care customers is on the horizon, and they are likely to expect ‘Uber’ level tech in all aspects of service delivery. Kate Dobie of the ACH Group explains to those outside the sector, including tech providers, why simply adding new technology isn’t as quick or as easy as you might think.

​​Dr Kate Barnett, author of the Technology Roadmap for the Australian Aged Care Sector, discusses how we rarely see technology as a part of an ongoing reform process, probably because it has not been central to the traditional design and delivery of care in the Australian aged care system. She discusses how consumer expectations are changing with increased demands for immediacy and for personalisation of services, and that portals are becoming increasingly widespread, and are now part of the aged care ecosystem.​

Given Australia’s ageing population and a growing demand for aged care staff, preventing occupational burnout within residential aged care facilities will continue to be a major challenge for the sector into the future. Researchers from Swinburne University explore some of the unique stressors faced by this workforce and suggest how organisations might address them to improve job satisfaction and worker retention.

Judith Leeson reflects on her own career pathway and how there are similarities with that of many workers in community and residential aged care. Reflecting on how people often learn informally as they work, Judith writes to encourage care workers to break out of their comfort zone and consider embarking on a new learning journey.