Feros Care wins international excellence award
Feros Care has taken home an international award for its development and use of new technologies to improve client services.
Feros Care has been recognised by the Global Ageing Network for its development and implementation of new technologies, including voice-command activated self-management portal for home care clients.
Feros Care was earlier this month awarded the GAN’s Excellence in Ageing Services Award for what were described as innovative technologies that are applicable worldwide and are empowering older people to remain safe, independent and connected in their homes.
Self-managing services
The MyFeros system currently allows 8,000 individuals receiving support from Feros Care to self-manage services, view schedules, change carers and budgets and communicate with case managers via a personalised online portal.
The system has a telehealth component which allows users to monitor their vital signs, receive advice on managing lifestyle factors and even talk to a nurse.
Feros Care staff spend two years writing code to create the platform and an individual “passport” for each client and the system recently integrated Google Assistant so clients with dexterity or vision issues can use voice commands.
Feros Care has partnered with Google to develop further possibilities.
Breaking through isolation
The provider was also recognised for its Virtual Senior Centre, piloted in 2014 and delivered via a federal government grant, which lets users link up via video to participate in facilitated sessions including book club and Tai Chi.
The centre, co-designed with user and their carers, has broadcast 926 sessions in the homes of 234 older Australians since 2017.
“Given the large numbers of people at risk of social isolation, and the physical and mental health issues associated with it, we committed to transforming lives by developing innovative technology to connect isolated seniors right across Australia, in a rich and interactive online community,” Chief Information Officer Glenn Payne says.
Feros Care hopes to expand the site to cater for carers and people with disability.
The technologies were conceived and developed in house, CEO Jennene Buckley says.
“We are committed to helping people live bolder, healthier and more fulfilled lives no matter their age or ability, and believe technology plays a pivotal role in supporting the ageing population,” she said.
Ms Buckley said Feros would like to see the technologies adopted worldwide.
Feros Care accepted the award at a ceremony in Toronto, Canada, on September 18.
Congratulations, great achievement for the future care of our ageing population and especially people with dementia and including disability/dementia which is emerging as a significant condition in the population with intellectual disability and there is a great need for this community of people to be included and to have relevant information.