Telstra pilot plan to improve technology in rural aged care
Telstra is taking part in a pilot program to give rural aged facilities a technology makeover, allowing staff to spend less time on administration and more time providing quality care.
Telstra is one of a number of partners in the ConnectCare project led by the Catholic Church-backed Church Resources and supported by the Federal Government’s ‘Clever Networks’ program.
“Telstra hopes the pilot will help us to create ‘off the shelf’ solutions, including network-hosted software, making it affordable to roll out similar equipment more widely in rural and regional nursing homes and aged care facilities. This is very important as our population ages and more resources are needed for aged care,” Telstra business group managing director, Deena Shiff, said.
“Residents will also have access to Telstra broadband so they can keep in touch with friends and relatives. While they may be unable to live independently, our elderly are just as keen to take advantage of social networking as younger Australians.”
The project will initially roll out a suite of technology applications and infrastructure including video conferencing in four not-for-profit facilities in regional New South Wales, Central and South West Queensland. They are: Nambucca Valley Care Ltd, Macksville, and Sawtell Catholic Care of the Aged, Toormina, NSW; Churches of Christ Care, Toowoomba and Cunnamulla, and Caloundra Catholic Community Homes Ltd in QLD.
