ARIIA announces new focus on home care

The Commonwealth Government has announced further investment in Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia to continue and expand its mission to improve workforce capability and grow an innovation culture within the aged care sector.

The investment includes $13 million over two years and allows ARIIA to launch the second part of its strategy, which encourages the development of new care models using technology and evidence-based practices, with a special focus on home care.   

ARIIA’s mission has always been to “improve the quality” of outcomes for older Australians and more than 80 per cent of them wish to age at home, said chief executive officer Reuben Jacob.

“Working with providers, we require an urgent upskilling of aged care workers to broaden the range of physical, social and psychological support services that will enable elders to stay at home longer,” Mr Jacob told Australian Ageing Agenda.

“Our new round of funding will examine these issues. ARIIA will continue to seek best practice examples from around the world and broaden our local and international partnerships, which will allow us to support implementation of scalable, evidence-based solutions across the sector, including a focus on emerging technologies such as AI and smart tech solutions.”

Mr Jacob said he was not surprised ARIIA was awarded this new funding as the team continued to play an “important role” in sharing the “learnings from the sector” through its programs to inform Commonwealth policy.

“We have a strong track record of success,” Mr Jacob said. “The new round of funding will help us to continue and build on our experience working with the aged care sector to adopt high quality, evidence-based care models that can meet the complex needs of an ageing population. This includes supporting the sector to increase digital and technology uptake to drive innovation.”

Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said she was determined to progress aged care away from “institution” and towards innovation.

“This continuation of funding for ARIIA will enable it to empower our aged care sector with the skills and capability required to implement evidence-based practice that supports the delivery of safe, efficient and quality care for older people,” Ms Wells said.

ARIIA, a recommendation of the 2018 workforce strategy taskforce report A Matter of Care, was launched in December 2021, with $34 million in Commonwealth funding over three years. Since then it has financed 62 projects nation-wide and directed $16.9 million into research of industry-identified issues, including $7.7 million from sector co-contributions.

ARIIA founding research director Professor Sue Gordon said the organisation had played a beneficial part as a catalyst for change since its launch, bridging the gap between research and application bringing new approaches to fruition within the aged care sector.

“By 2050, there will be more people over the age of 65 than those aged under 18. The new generation of elders rightfully expect a new 21st century model of aged care and they want it urgently,” said Professor Gordon – who recently retired.

“Evidence-based innovation must be at the core of this change, and I am pleased the government has shown confidence in the role ARIIA can play in translating this mandate to industry.”

Mr Jacob told AAA that with the introduction of the new Aged Care Bill 2024 and the launch of the government’s Support at Home program reforms “well and truly” underway, the future looks positive and with “continued hard work” further improvements are expected next year, he said.

“We know from previous reviews into aged care that elders expect to have more say in the design of services, as well as when and how those services are delivered,” said Mr Jacob.

“Building on this, ARIIA has been working with the aged care sector to support the transition to person-centered care models which will ultimately improve how aged care services are delivered.”

He added: “To date, ARIIA has funded 62 projects nation-wide – we know driving innovation and encouraging the adoption of proven, evidence-based solutions will improve the quality of care provided.”

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