innovAGEING 2020 National Award winners announced

innovAGEING is a national network for the aged care services industry and the annual awards are specifically for highlighting the hardwork of people and providers working in aged care.

From holistic wound management, a Positive Ageing Tool and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to prevent pressure injuries, to a Care Cards App, a Connect App and city retirement innovation, this year’s innovAGEING winners showcased an exciting range of products and solutions to make the lives of older Australians better.

Head of innovAGEING, Merlin Kong, says the national awards have recognised some of the best accomplishments by organisations and people over 2020.

“We celebrate our diverse and imaginative champions, who have channelled the best of ageing into people-centred innovation,” says Merlin Kong.

“Chosen from the broad range of practical applications across all of our incredible finalists, this [forecasts] well for the lives of older Australians and highlights how our nation is set to lead in age services in so many ways.

“It is right to recognise individuals for their dedication and dynamism, along with the amazing contributions of organisations.”

Individual and organisation winners for 2020 are:

• Realising Wellness and Reablement: Benetas – Their implementation of user-friendly online Positive Ageing Tool (PAT) which has resources for older Australians to ensure they are informed and in control of their aged care journey.

• Increasing Care and Service Productivity: PosiSense and St. Sergius Aged Care – Creation of a project that prevents pressure injuries with AI algorithms, Internet of Things technology and behavioural science models.

• Increasing Access to Care and Services: IRT Group and Checked In Care – Development of the IRT Connect App and creation of a new care channel that incorporates tools for remote screening, diagnostics and monitoring with the use of existing data sets.

• Age Services Innovator of the Year Award: Kate Weger, Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) – For establishing the Wound Champion Program, a holistic approach to wound management and prevention, providing a service that promotes quality of life.

• Enhancing Consumer Experience: Guide Healthcare Allied Health Team and Eventide Homes Stawell – A collaboration to develop the Care Cards App, which improves how carers communicate with their clients, residents and loved ones.

• Improving Consumer Choice: Uniting Communities – For the creation of the U City Retirement Residences that is considered the most mixed-use demographic high-rise development in Australia with access to extensive community service programs.

Mr Kong says, “It is right to recognise individuals for their dedication and dynamism, along with the amazing contributions of organisations.

“All finalists were exceptional, and no doubt, selecting the winners was not an easy process for the judging panel.”

This year’s judges were Elouise Newbury from Commonwealth Bank, James Mabbott from KPMG Australia, and Kerri Lanchester from Leading Age Services Australia (LASA).

innovAGEING is funded by the Australian Government, and the awards are supported by foundation partners, the Commonwealth Bank and KPMG Australia.

To learn more about innovAGEING and its aim to accelerate innovation, translate ideas into action and deliver better outcomes for older Australians, head to the innovAGEING website.