Showcasing innovation

Our teams have earned finalist honours across five categories at the 14th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards, with winners to be announced in April.

The awards celebrate innovative solutions, strategies and care models that are transforming the future of ageing. They form part of the World Ageing Festival – an annual event held in Singapore. The festival brings together stakeholders from policy, industry, investment, academia and care to promote collaboration and innovation in the aged care sector.

Exploring new skills

Our Best in Grow gardening program is a finalist for Innovation of the Year – Active Ageing, giving residents in our homes the opportunity to get involved in planning, designing, growing and harvesting a garden.

Last year the competition incorporated a nutritional focus, with residents and teams invited to not only design and grow their own edible gardens but also create a special meal featuring their home-grown produce.

Sustainability was a consideration, with homes incorporating eco-friendly features such as composting systems and solar powered lighting into their garden designs.

Expanded allied health support

Our virtual model of care (VMoC) program is a finalist in the Operator of the Year – Ageing-in- Place category.

Through VMoC, allied health professionals in our home and community support teams deliver virtual occupational therapy and physiotherapy services to clients living in regional and remote locations, with support from local team members.

A joint initiative of the Research Institute and HCS teams, the program is helping provide faster access to allied health services for clients in Far North Queensland, Wide Bay, Bundaberg and Gympie regions.

Growing leadership capability

Our ASPIRE Leadership program is a finalist for Innovation of the Year – Career Development for equipping participants with the mindset, skills and networks to lead with confidence, purpose and impact.

The nine-month program combines intensive learning experiences with application in the workplace to strengthen leadership capabilities.

Strengthening connected care services

The VIP connected support program recently introduced in our retirement villages is a finalist for Innovation of the Year – Empowerment for giving residents greater control over their home care services.

The program involves a dedicated team of personal care workers based in each village on allocated days, with residents able to choose who delivers their services at a time that suits them.

The program is supported by an online booking system and has received excellent feedback, with the program now expanded to 18 locations with 270 clients to date.

Healthy and active lifestyles

We are also a finalist for Operator of the Year – Senior Living for our focus on supporting the health and wellbeing of residents in our retirement communities.

The Armstrong Green community located on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria is one example of this, offering spaces for health, wellness and socialising such as a modern clubhouse, community gardens and competition-sized bowling green.

An onsite team including an active living coordinator is on hand to engage with residents. In-home care and support services are available for residents who need extra assistance to stay independent at home.