Exploring a mobile model of care

Care will go to the consumer rather than the consumer going to the care.

In the future, older Australians will be able to access the care they need in whichever environment they choose, an industry expert has told Australian Ageing Agenda.

Speaking ahead of her appearance at an industry conference in Sydney next week, Katie Formston – head of design, property and capital works at dementia care specialists HammondCare – said: “We’re thinking going forward that the access to care will be divorced from the choice of accommodations … the care goes to the consumer rather than the consumer going to the care.”

Ms Formston will be at the International Conference Centre in Darling Habour next week to speak about HammondCare’s investment in new-age aged care facilities, models and services.

Katie Formston

“We’ve been exploring our residential aged care cottage model and how it can also double as a palliative hospital model without any built environmental changes,” said Ms Formston. “Now we’re looking at supported seniors’ living and how well we can deliver residential aged care in that environment and also hospital palliative care into that environment as well without the consumer having to move accommodation.”

Ms Formston told AAA that this mobile model of care will enable people to age in place. “One of the hardest things we see is when something happens and one person in a couple has to go into residential aged care – that can be quite traumatic for the person needing care as well as their partner. Ageing in place is a big benefit.”

We’re going to need more episodic care

With people projected to live longer in the future, they will more likely experience chronic conditions, said Ms Formston, meaning “we’re going to need more episodic care.”

When choosing a care provider, the consumer is going to demand choice and control, she added. “They are going to want everything on demand – not two weeks later. Like when you’re on your phone shopping at Woolies, they will want to book that care in straight away.”

Ms Formston will be among 200-plus speakers attending the 13th Australian Healthcare Week conference. The two-day event – which runs from 20-21 March – is free to attend. Register here.

Australian Ageing Agenda is a media partner of AWH 2024

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Tags: australian healthcare week, hammondcare, Katie Formston,

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