The two national aged care peak bodies have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) to establish a CAST Affiliated Action Network in Australia.

CAST is an international collaboration of over 400 technology companies, ageing-service providers, businesses, universities and government organisations.

It aims to promote the development, evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies that have the potential to support people as they age.

The landmark decision was achieved by Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) under the auspices of the Aged Care Industry IT Council.

The purpose of the Australian network will be to facilitate the exchange of ideas about ageing services technologies.

It is believed that the Centre for Health Innovation, based at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital will also play an active role in the network.

The concept of an Australian CAST network was announced at the 2007 conference of the International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing, in Malta.