Guidelines for uptake of home care tech

A new evidence-based framework has been developed to guide in-home care providers on how best to integrate digital technologies into their service delivery.

The Framework for Enabling Technology Supported Aged Care at Home was devised by the National Ageing Research Institute in partnership with home care provider Silverchain.

The work was facilitated by the NARI-led Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration and funded through the Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation grants program.

“This framework provides a guide for best-practice implementation of health-related technology, specifically for older people and the aged care workforce in home care settings across Australia,” NARI director of clinical gerontology Associate Professor Frances Batchelor said.  

“It provides information on how to reduce barriers to implementing technology and leverage enablers to ensure quality of care. It also offers practical tips and a checklist of key considerations when developing a technology implementation plan,” she added.

With older Australians ageing at home for longer, the need for technology-supported in-home models of care has increased. However, Associate Professor Batchelor said in-home care providers have been slow to adopt the technology. “We’ve heard from in-home care providers that there are substantial barriers to introducing technology in the home environment, such as difficulties in encouraging uptake and embedding technology into service delivery processes.”

In an effort to overcome the barriers, NARI joined with Silverchain to develop specific guidance for implementing digital tools in an effective, efficient and person-centred way.

The framework was informed by several studies conducted at Silverchain, including a survey of current clients to understand their use of technology, and a series interviews and workshops with its team of home care workers.

“The research we’ve done has shown that older people are increasingly using technologies in their lives and the in-home aged care workforce is ready to try innovative new approaches,” Silverchain director of research discovery Dr Tanya Davison said.

But, Dr Davison added, simply making technology available isn’t enough. “We need to make sure the specific technologies selected and the ways we implement them are carefully designed,” she said. “This includes consideration of the kinds of training and supports that are required.”

Sue Williams – program manager of the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration – congratulated NARI and Silverchain on their commitment to ensuring the development of an evidence-based resource that is both practical and context-specific.

“The collaborative approach adopted by NARI in partnering with Silverchain helped to understand the key barriers to using technology as part of service delivery,” she said. “This innovative new framework is the first of its kind. It will help providers effectively adopt and harness exciting new technologies in supporting the provision of high-quality in-home aged care for older Australians.”

Providers can access the framework here. Printed copies are available on request.

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