Innovators focused on new ways to deliver highest quality aged care

This is sponsored content for LDK Seniors' Living.

For many people the thought of placing their mother or father into a nursing home is a distressing one, and perhaps even something they are staunchly opposed to.

When it does become apparent that residential aged care is the necessary choice for a loved one, it can cause much heartache as relatives of the person needing care agonise about whether they have made the right decision, and if their mum or dad, husband or wife will be happy, well looked after and comfortable in what is essentially their new home.

There has been much negativity around the standards of aged care in Australia particularly as the industry came under the spotlight of the Aged Care Royal Commission.

However, there are some innovative operators in Australia working hard to change people's ideas about aged care, with thoughtful design replacing outdated institutional environments, the use of cutting edge technology, and increased attention to staff recruitment all part of progressive strategies to transform the industry and deliver new models of care.

They are creating warm, inviting and vibrant environments with all the comforts of home but with efficient 24/7 care systems harnessing sensor technology and digital communication tools to be able to give the people in their care the freedom to live as well as access to instant support when needed.

Genuine alternative

National retirement living and aged care provider LDK Seniors' Living (the name stands for Love, Decency and Kindness) is one of those in the industry leading the way with its new Aspire Aged Care by LDK brand. The brand is the result of a detailed best practice research and planning process and is part of the business's strategy to deliver the highest quality aged care for the future.

Canberra is the site of one of the first communities under the Aspire brand. Located as a specialised hub within LDK's Greenway Views seniors' living development, the purpose-built facility caters to all levels of care including dementia, palliative, and private respite care.

LDK chief operating officer Amanda Kidd said Aspire was aimed at giving people a genuine alternative to a nursing home, delivering all the high-level professional care and attention they need but in an environment that is a long way from the traditional nursing home.

"The Aspire Aged Care model is unique because our residents live in spacious apartments that have been purpose built to look and feel like home," she said.

"Our residents have a key to their front door, as well as their own well-appointed private kitchen, ensuite and laundry where they can receive care in the privacy of their own home, not an institutionalised environment."

"In Canberra, it's part of our Greenway Views village and has been built to bring the outside in with incredible communal spaces, and views to the Brindabella mountains. We wanted to create a place where our residents and their families can spend time together in a beautiful, vibrant, village atmosphere."

Harnessing technology

The LDK model incorporates the kind of technological innovation being used by progressive aged care operators that helps give residents more freedom while also having the peace of mind that 24/7 care is on hand.

The design includes features like smart sensor monitoring and emergency response systems that are tailored to each resident's needs, as well as responsive circadian lighting to assist the wellbeing of residents with dementia.

"Our technology allows residents to live safely in the privacy of their own home through unobtrusive monitoring of their activity and movements in and around their apartments." said Mrs Kidd. "There's in home sensor technology that alerts our care team of any irregular activity of that resident so they can check in and ensure they're okay.

'We also use Bluetooth technology to track our staff movements allowing us to instantly locate the closest care team member if a resident activates their emergency response system. It means we can respond to residents better and faster giving everyone added peace of mind."

Another key difference for operators like LDK is an increased focus on the careful recruitment of the staff delivering the support and care.

"The way we recruit our staff is based on LDK's core values of love, decency and kindness. Our onsite staff live and breathe this every single day. It's key to our vision to ensure that our residents feel like they are part of a big family when they are with us," said Mrs Kidd.

If you'd like to find out more about Aspire Aged Care by LDK or organise a tour go to the website or call the team on 1300 535 000

This is sponsored content for LDK Seniors' Living.