How technology is improving quality of life in aged care

When you think about technology, you might think of smartphones, apps and whatever new AI is the latest talking point. But in aged care, some of the most valuable technology is far less flashy.

It’s being able to video call your grandkids who live interstate. Watch your favourite television show from your room. Stay in touch with friends. Access healthcare more easily. Or have systems working quietly in the background to help the people caring for you understand what you need.

Technology is changing residential aged care, but we’re not trying to make aged care homes more futuristic. It’s just about making everyday life safer, easier and more connected.

Staying connected to the people you care about

Moving into aged care doesn’t mean you have to become disconnected from the life you used to have. Nothing will replace having family and friends drop in for a visit, but technology gives residents a great way to maintain relationships between visits.

Video calls make it possible to see grandchildren who live interstate or overseas. Photos arrive instantly, and a quick phone call can keep someone involved in the everyday family conversations they’ve always been part of.

Yes, these might seem like small things, but connection plays a valuable role in emotional well-being, particularly when people first move into one of our Gold Coast residential aged care homes.

Technology can support independence, too

There’s a big misconception that moving into aged care means you’ll immediately lose control over your day. Modern aged care is actually moving in the opposite direction.

Technology can help older people continue doing things for themselves, whether that’s communicating with family, enjoying entertainment, keeping up with the news or accessing services. And importantly, it doesn’t have to mean becoming a technology whiz at 85.

The best technology is often the technology that simply makes something easier. For one resident, that might be using a tablet to see family photos. For another, it could be watching movies in their room. Someone else may have very little interest in technology at all. The choice matters.

Better information can mean more personalised care

Not all aged care technology is something residents directly interact with.

Behind the scenes, our digital systems are increasingly helping aged care teams record and share important information about a resident’s health, care requirements and changing needs. This can help our team keep track of care plans, medications and health information and ensure the right information is available to the people involved in a resident’s care.

But it’s important to remember, technology doesn’t replace knowing someone.

A care plan can record what support a person needs, but it’s the people around them who learn that they prefer tea over coffee, like to sleep in, never miss the evening news or become much more talkative when their grandchildren visit.

At HillView Care, residents receive personalised care, with assessments on admission and ongoing reviews involving residents, families and health professionals as their needs change.

Making healthcare more accessible

Technology is also making it easier for older Australians to access healthcare. Telehealth, for example, can allow some appointments or consultations to happen remotely when appropriate. Digital health information can also support communication between different healthcare professionals involved in a person’s care.

For older people who have mobility challenges or find travelling to appointments tiring, having more options around how healthcare is accessed can make a big difference.

At HillView Care Merrimac and Ashmore, residents are also supported by nurses, GPs, therapists and allied health professionals as part of their overall care.

Technology should support life, not take it over

There will always be things technology can’t replicate. It can’t replace sitting outside with a friend, laughing with someone over lunch, joining an activity you love or having a familiar staff member notice you’re having an off day.

At HillView Care, technology sits alongside something much more important, personalised, compassionate care and a community where residents are encouraged to continue living life in a way that feels like their own.

If you’re exploring aged care on the Gold Coast, book a tour of HillView Care Merrimac or Ashmore and experience our homes for yourself.