Providers take home awards for excellence and innovation

Home and community care providers from around the country have been recognised for excellence in innovation at national and international awards ceremonies.

Anglicare Southern Queensland was announced the Asia-Pacific’s best home care operator in the Eldercare Innovation Awards in Singapore. 

More than 88 organisations from 15 countries competed in the awards, which recognise innovative and high-quality approaches to changing the way older adults age, and for their contribution in shaping the future of regional ageing landscape. 

Anglicare Southern Queensland was one of four finalists for Best Home Care Operator, along with CARE Concierge, Home Instead Senior Care, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited and THK Home Care Services. 

Anglicare’s community aged and disability group manager, Sue Montgomery, said she was humbled to accept the award on behalf of all staff for their commitment to looking after older Queenslanders for the past 150 years.  

“This award is a great acknowledgement of the dedication and commitment of our staff and volunteers and the work they do each and every day with love, care, hope and humility,” Ms Montgomery said. 

Winners were announced at an awards ceremony on November 25.

InnovAEGING awards

Benetas took out the award for Realising Wellness and Reablement at the National InnovAGEING 2020 awards last week.

The not-for-profit won the award for the implementation of their online Positive Ageing Tool (PAT) that identifies early signs of frailty in older people and provides tailored resources to keep them active and independent.

PAT came out of a research project conducted by Benetas’ and Monash University to create a frailty scoring tool.

Benetas says thousands of people have used the tool since it launched in January.

Benetas CEO Sandra Hills says aged care solutions that empower older Australians are taking the sector into the future.

“Our job as providers is transform how we deliver our services and programs to break down this barrier and ensure older Australians are receiving the guidance and resources they need to feel confident and in control of their ageing journey,” she said.

She said PAT, which is reaching a non-traditional aged care market, has had over 12,000 people draw on the resource and 7,000 people take the health check.

Benetas plans to increase targeted digital marketing over the coming months. 

IRT Group and Checked In Care won the Increasing Access to Care and Services award for IRT Connect App and for creating a new care channel incorporating tools for remote screening, diagnostics and monitoring.

The InnovAGEING awards, announced on November 26, are designed to foster the transformation of aged care and seniors’ living with innovative solutions for older Australians.

Hesta Excellence Awards

Meanwhile, ECH claimed the Outstanding Organsiation award for aged care at the inaugural HESTA Excellence Awards which recognised excellence in disability, allied health, aged care and community services.

ECH Chief Executive Dr David Panter said the national accolade was a great achievement and testament to the work the organisation has done to set a benchmark for exceptional care and service delivery in South Australia.

“All ECH staff, frontline carers, home and garden maintenance staff, back office staff, nurses and GPs are absolutely committed to enabling people to carry on living at home independently for as long as they wish to,” he said.

Dr Panter said the $7,500 prize money will enable ECH to continue providing support and social connection programs and activities for more than 500 clients.

Synapse Australia won the award in the disability category for providing a range of services, including specialist housing and support for people impacted by brain injury, including stroke and dementia.

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