A new digital platform is set to transform the experience of aged care residents, offering a high-tech yet familiar solution to improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and support care providers in meeting tightening regulatory standards.
In response to Australia’s aged care reforms, Swift Networks (ASX: SW1) has developed an innovative platform called Swift Access, which delivers personalised engagement, entertainment, and wellness content directly through residents’ television screens. A recent Phase 1 evaluation by aged care researcher Dr Kathy Heathcote finds the 2025 version of Swift Access to be a timely and effective response to resident needs and aged care governance requirements.
As Australia’s population ages, residents in aged care facilities are increasingly entering care with higher levels of physical frailty, cognitive decline, and psychological distress. The evaluation report notes that over half of all RACF residents live with dementia, and many experience significant loneliness.
The evaluation highlights the importance of non-pharmacological therapies (NPT) – such as music, exercise, reminiscence, and sensory content – as aged care providers move away from medication-heavy responses to behavioural and psychological symptoms. Swift Access offers exactly that, via a medium residents already use: their television.
Inside Ageing visited Swift’s Perth headquarters and was given a tour of the Connected TV (CTV) solution, which offers easy navigation, large-font menus, and content tailored to the resident’s time of day, care needs, and personal preferences. It’s also highly customisable by care staff, with capacity to stream menus, schedules, medication reminders, and even real-time chapel services into rooms.
A key feature is the “My Family My Community” app, which allows family members to send photos and videos to their loved ones’ TV screens—a small gesture that can have a powerful impact on social connection and emotional well-being.
Whiddon’ Live it UP Fall Prevention Program was shortlisted for a 2024 Future of Ageing Award. Dr Jennie Hewitt presented on the solution at the 2024 Future of Ageing Conference…Watch a recording of the session.
Award-winning physiotherapist Dr Jennifer Hewitt, who independently assessed the platform’s wellness content, called the initiative “an excellent resource,” highlighting its evidence-based exercise programs such as Chair Yoga, Seated Tai Chi, and Sit Dance.
“Clear benefits for frailty, mental health, mobility and quality of life and can easily be incorporated into behaviour support plans for residents with dementia or agitation”.
Dr Jennifer Hewitt
Swift Access is not just a resident-facing tool – it also supports providers’ increasing compliance obligations. The platform integrates with feedback systems like Tell Touch, enabling residents to submit care quality surveys using only their remote controls. Swift also partners with third-party services like Checked In Care, broadening access to functions such as digital scheduling and medication tracking.
The evaluation mapped Swift Access to the government’s Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS), which come into force under the new Aged Care Act from July ’25, found that Swift Access supports key compliance areas including:
- Dignity, choice, and cultural inclusion
- Mental health, preventative care and reablement
- Governance, clinical safety and emergency communication
- Resident engagement and quality of life
With aged care facilities under mounting pressure to improve both resident experience and governance standards, Swift Access presents a user-friendly, evidence-based and scalable innovation.
