Even with a large demographic of people approaching retirement, the aged care market in Australia is still competitive.
Due to the Living Longer Living Better reforms, flexible pricing structures have enabled providers to increase the choices available for aged care and retirement village lifestyles.
In recent years, we have seen new-to-market aged care developments trying to outperform one another by featuring facilities such as fully-equipped gymnasiums, wellness centres, cinema lounges and onsite restaurants as their selling point of difference. Service offerings such as high resident to caregiver ratios, personalized outings and views have also made it to the top of the list.
But as more and more aged care providers try to fulfil the same retirement dream, competition has forced one to think of more creative ways to stand out from the crowd and to attract new residents.
Intelligence has become the new point of difference.
Launched earlier this month, residents at WA’s first luxury serviced apartments by Bethanie will be supported by the latest technology that offers the highest level of care with minimal interference. Each apartment will be equipped with devices that will recognise if a resident has a fall, triggering an alarm for the Bethanie village manager to respond to the apartment within minutes. Bluetooth connected devices that can record health metrics such as blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygen levels and blood glucose levels will also be used to monitor residents wellbeing.
Read more: Bethanie Officially Launches WA’s First Serviced Apartments
Currently being trialled at the ACT’s Kangara Waters community and aged care centre, the driverless car named Pod Zero allows residents to travel to locations and events around the facility independently. Residents will be able to hail Pod Zero using a simple phone or tablet app, with the vehicle programmed to safely deliver.
Read more: IRT Showcases First Driverless Car for Aged Care
Just a few months back, Silver Chain launched the World’s first holographic doctor in Perth that will allow their 650 clients to remotely interact with health care professionals through a virtual hospital.
Read more: World-first holographic doctor launched in Perth
Intelligence that delivers independence, mobility and safety is fast becoming the point of difference when marketing new aged care developments.
We will soon see more intelligent smart home features being incorporated in resident rooms and apartments.
Voice activation technology, virtual monitoring systems, lighting and electrical automation will soon become selling features never seen in aged care before.
Intelligent innovation and technology that delivers independence, mobility and safety will contribute to a new paradigm shift in the way aged care accommodation options are considered.
How is Unicare Health supporting intelligence in aged care?
The innovations that have been incorporated into world-class equipment such as beds, treatment tables, pressure care and seating solutions in the last few years have been phenomenal.
Unicare Health has constantly been working with industrial designers and world-class European manufacturers to provide intelligent aged care equipment in Australia that is aimed not just to benefit the user but for the benefit of carers and healthcare professionals as well.
Intelligent equipment solutions provide better treatment methods and less manual carer involvement.
For example, Unicare Health now offers aged care beds that can provide the pressure relief and prevention of pressure injuries. Traditionally the job of pressure care mattresses, these beds that can be custom designed to fit the aesthetics of modern aged care developments, come with intelligent app-style user interfaces, built in electronic user manuals, and automated functions such as integrated patient weighing that will significantly reduce carer involvement and time. Incorporated safety sensors that alerts carers when residents have accidental leaks or leave the bed can significantly reduce the number of potential falls and other associated health issues.
Unicare Health’s understanding of aged care equipment needs stems from 25 years of industry experience, working hand in hand with nursing facility management, therapists, residents and their care givers. Being directly involved in the aged care nursing environment and every day care of residents enables us to match intellgent equipment solutions to aged care living needs while being mindful of comfort and aesthetics.
Unicare Health’s partnership with world-class healthcare brands has enabled us to deliver modern, intelligent equipment solutions for hospitals and aged care facilities around Australia, earning us the respect of being a premier healthcare equipment specialist and the preferred equipment provider to many aged care and private healthcare groups in Australia.
Related articles:
Unicare Health supports the Bethanie Group in world-class aged care.
Tell me more
Are you interested to know how Unicare Health can help introduce intelligent equipment solutions into your aged care facility?
Please ring us on 1800 656 654 or get in touch with us using the form below.
Posted on 14 Feb 2018