In an already stretched aged care sector, news of recent aged care centre closures is concerning.

Blame for the closures has been directed at the pending legislative requirements which mean from July aged care facilities must have a registered nurse on-site around the clock.

The sector is already struggling for staff and the mandate will only add to demand and increase pressure on existing staff to work more hours. 

While there has been significant pushback from parts of the sector, the government mandate is based on valid health concerns and recommendations arising from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and the vast majority of aged care homes in Australia – 80% – already meet the nursing requirements.

Given what is known about existing pressures on staff and the challenges around attracting and retaining new staff into residential aged care facilities and the sector in general, the focus for the aged care sector now needs to be on how to support their care workers and nurses and ease the stress of their roles.

One of the most obvious, but vastly underused, ways to keep pace with the growing demands on our aged care sector and the people who work in it, is to implement technology and digital solutions to support the work of carers and health professionals. Many examples of similar technologies are already in use in the wider healthcare sector.

Focus needs to be directed toward understanding how existing technologies can be used to ease the pressure on staff and ensure a high standard of care for all aged care residents. Opportunities exist to implement technology such as:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – the use of AI such as speech-to-text capabilities, to enhance and support the staff with reporting and data collection (like a second pair of hands for care support workers and nurses).

• Automation – to automate the reporting to the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC), families and internal stakeholders.

• Internet of Medical Things – look at the adoption of wearable technology and sensors to complement the work of the aged care workforce, supporting basic monitoring functions.

• Data and analytics – use data and analytic tools to assist with predictive workforce planning based on resident numbers and care needs.

Applying technology in these ways will ease some of the demands on nurses and aged care teams and will create space for staff to focus on the more satisfying parts of their work rather than administrative activities. We need to see technology and digital solutions as an investment rather than a ‘nice to have’ because it supports the aged care workforce which in turn supports older Australians in residential aged care facilities.   

To retain good staff and ensure the needs of those in aged care are met, the sector needs to build and implement key technologies that can carry out the more functional tasks and services, and easily flex as demand grows. As our ageing population increases, we know the demand will grow. 

–

Pauline Soo has more than 20 years’ experience in healthcare and aged care. In her role as Datacom’s Health Director, she is focused on helping tackle sector-wide challenges – including scarce resources and heavy regulatory and compliance requirements – with innovative thinking and smart tech.