Aged care service challenges at Technological Sciences and Engineering Symposium 20-21 November
As Australia faces an ageing population, Dr June Heinrich, the chief executive officer of one of Australia’s largest providers of residential and community aged care services will speak about how Baptist Community Services NSW & ACT (BCS) aims to meet future aged care service challenges during the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s (ATSE) annual symposium on 20-21 November 2006.
Dr Heinrich will outline how technology can be used in the aged care sector to provide services while reducing the cost of service delivery. She will focus on the increasing number of Australian’s who will choose to remain in their own home as they age, rather than entering an aged care facility.
BCS’ own Smart House, a technologically-intelligent house designed to assist future generations to remain in their own homes while ageing, demonstrates a range of ‘telecare’ sensor technology including passive infrared detectors, a door entry system, emergency pendants and pull cords to trigger an emergency monitoring system, along with bed and chair sensors.
Future incorporations into this Smart House will include central locking systems, electric windows and doors, electric curtain and blind openers and other devices.
“Ageing is all about connectivity, between the individual and healthcare, relatives, society, carers and the provision of basic services,” said Dr Heinrich.
BCS has further established partnerships with Cisco, Intel, Eclipse and Optus to develop systems that deliver technology to older Australians living in the community.
“There is also the very real shortage of skilled labour entering our workforce that will impact on how we deliver aged health in the future,” she said.
The ATSE annual symposium examines the pressing need to identify the most cost effective and sound technologies to help shape Australia’s infrastructure.
