At a recent ARIIA panel discussion in Mandurah, Western Australia, Mark Sheldon-Stemm of Valleyview Residence – a 64-bed facility in Collie, Western Australia, and James Campbell-Sloan from the City of Mandurah explored how technology and innovation are reshaping aged care. They highlighted key challenges, opportunities, and the critical role of data-driven decision-making and workforce development. The session was moderated by ARIIA’s CEO Reuben Jacob.
Bridging communication gaps with technology
Mr Sheldon-Stemm highlighted how communication breakdowns often prevent crucial information from reaching management. To address this, he has spearheaded the development of a set of indicators designed to provide alerts in real-time.
Given that management is only physically present 33% of the time where RNs are there 100% of the time, Valleyview has implemented a dashboard that collects and shares 12 key data points. This allows managers to monitor how RNs are effectively managing resident care.
Person Centred Software has been used in the development of the Aged Care Electronic Data & Information Tool (ACEDIT), although other software can work with the system. The icon-driven platform reduces the need for traditional nurse handovers, as all critical information is now embedded within the system. Valleyview is set to go live with the platform this week, marking a significant step toward streamlining care management.
Mandurah: Living in the future
Mr Campbell-Sloan provided an overview of Mandurah’s unique demographic challenges. As the largest regional city in Western Australia with around 100,000 people, Mandurah has 30% of its population over the age of 60 and an average age of 40 – around 5 years higher than the national average – Mandurah is essentially living in the country’s demographic future.
To prepare for these challenges, the City of Mandurah is committed to fostering development and innovation in aged care. This includes a proactive approach to development applications, with pre-lodgement discussions ensuring project approvals are streamlined. The City of Mandurah welcomes expressions of interest from providers looking to set up there.
Innovation as a problem-solving tool
When asked about how to begin an innovation journey in a facility, Mr Sheldon-Stemm emphasised that the journey toward innovation begins with identifying problems.
“With the average stay in aged care now just 12 months and residents arriving with higher care needs, there is a pressing demand for new tools and solutions to help providers meet these challenges,” he said.
Mr Sheldon-Stemm pointed to Valleyview’s remote location in Collie, around 200 km south-east of Perth, that is characteristic of many regional towns facing staff shortages and other challenges.
“If we can get this technology to work in Collie, then it can work anywhere.”
Mark Sheldon-Stemm, CEO, Valleyview
Another initiative on the drawing board at Valleyview is a partnership with the University of Wollongong as part of the next round of ARIIA grants. This collaboration aims to develop an AI tool capable of reading care notes to detect signs of malnutrition.
Valleyview is also working with Lenexa Medical to introduce LenexaCARE®, an innovative pressure injury prevention technology. The device is a fabric-based sensor fitted into mattresses, offering real-time monitoring of residents’ positions, heart rate and respiratory.
Data from LenexaCARE® will feed into the ACEDIT platform, adding a significant data set comprising 24/7 information about residents’ sleep habits and well-being. LenexaCARE® is a past Future of Ageing Award recipient (a program run by Inside Ageing) – read more about it here.
One of the most significant benefits of Valleyview’s data-driven approach is its potential to reduce hospital transfers. By tracking key indicators on the dashboard, nurses can identify and address health concerns before they escalate. Additionally, the system’s API allows it to integrate with other platforms, creating a seamless flow of information across different aspects of care management.
A Centre of Ageing in Mandurah
Mandurah is taking a strategic approach to address the region’s growing aged care demands through a proposed Centre of Ageing. This initiative focuses on:
- Workforce Development: Training and upskilling staff to meet the needs of the ageing population.
- Innovation Hub: Driving research and technological advancements in aged care.
- Addressing Shortages: Tackling the projected shortage of aged care beds and workforce.
- Collaboration with Industry: Partnering with stakeholders to implement innovative solutions.
The Centre is expected to enhance care quality, boost local employment, and ensure accessible aged care services for Mandurah’s senior residents.
The role of technology in nursing and care quality
Mr Sheldon-Stemm highlighted the critical role technology plays in helping nurses perform their best work, ultimately improving staff retention. He noted that many aged care nurses come from emergency departments (EDs), where care is reactive. In contrast, aged care requires a proactive approach, and the right technology can support this transition for many nurses.
ARIIA grants are now open to help providers and researchers scale up ideas quickly, especially when it comes to workforce innovations. Further information can be found here.
