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Australia’s aged care industry is celebrating a win, after the federal government last week announced it would invest $400,000 to support innovAGEING.
LASA chief executive Sean Rooney said he was grateful for the news that the national aged care network for aged services would receive the funds over two years.
“This Government’s support of innovAGEING will help ensure the age services industry is forward-thinking, high-performing and consumer-centric, bringing to market new products, services and delivery models that will meet the individual needs of older Australians and their families,” Rooney said.
“Our ageing population presents an innovation imperative for the age services industry; we need to accelerate innovation and collaboration in our industry to translate ideas into action, resulting in better outcomes for older Australians.
“I congratulate Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt and the Turnbull Government on making this commitment.”
With the funds, the network will continue helping older Australians retain their independence, giving them choice and control over their care and allowing for innovation in the industry.
Aged care minister Ken Wyatt said innovAGEING would implement a number of initiatives including: a national awards program to encourage innovation, aged care innovative lab workshops, eight innovator speaker events a year, an eight-week innovation program and competition for businesses and start-ups, and an online network to link participants with experts.
“The national awards program will focus on outcomes, including improving consumer choice, realising wellness and re-ablement, enhancing consumer experience, improving care and productivity and increasing access to services,” he said.
“From Uber-style provision of home care services and a mobile app to streamline staff rostering, to robotic pets for people with dementia, new ideas are already helping to change lives.
“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.”
All peak aged care organisations are invited to join innovAGEING, and participation is also open to service providers, university centres, researchers and public sector agencies.
For more information and to register interest in participating in the innovAGEING network visit https://lasa.asn.au/innovageing/.
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