Technology for residents - St Andrew's Ballina

In the past 50 years technology has become a fundamental element in all aspects of our lifestyle. From computerisation of motor vehicles to microwave ovens which remind us with a message to enjoy our meals. In aged services we were quick to adopt advanced technology for what we perceived to be our daily needs: resident clinical care, finance, communications and occupation health and safety. By and large however such developments have been introduced for the benefit of managers and staff, but what about the residents?

Imagine the feeling of being a resident bed bound and not being able to become involved in activities being carried out throughout the facility or being able to be part of church services which meet crucial spiritual needs in the later years of your life. How many residents are suffering through such isolation?

At St Andrew's it is a belief that advanced technology has a role to play in helping residents overcome many issues of isolation, inclusiveness and feeling part of a community again.

St Andrew's is a medium size residential aged care facility (117 places) and as part of a total redevelopment strategy is implementing a range of advanced technologies across its entire range of resident centred operations. Part of the implementation is a communication network which allows residents to participate and interact with all activities occurring in the facility. The activities being conducted in any of its activity rooms or conference rooms can be telecast into the rooms of all residents so that they not only see and hear what is happening but can actually interact with what is happening through their television monitor and control pad.

This is the first time technology has been deployed for small to medium size residential facilities which has been developed to engage and include residents. Thus making life more pleasurable and stimulating. This technology allows for the strengthening of self and self image, an improvement in quality of life and wellbeing, engagement with others, and a positive approach to the maintenance of good mental health. It allows residents to maintain their independence and ability to physically do things for themselves. Loss of independence can be demeaning and undermining to a resident's health and wellbeing. This technology brings back a person's spirit and independence.

One outstanding example of how this technology is used was when two of St Andrew's residents decided to have a second marriage to renew their vows. Whilst the Chapel was too small for everyone to attend, the entire ceremony was beamed throughout the facility to every bedside and lounge room, in the same way that a celebrity wedding might be telecast on television.

The second wedding ceremony of two St Andrew's residents was broadcast throughout the facility.

Other daily activities are beamed around the facility in the same way and enjoyed by residents who are unable to physically attend. The team at St. Andrew's are now working on enhancing the interactivity options for residents. For example technology that will enable the residents to participate in activities such as bingo through interactive handsets, consoles or voice communication systems.

Within this new and advanced communication network, providers are able to give the chance of independence to a resident who is immobile and control over their interaction with others which otherwise they would not have. This technology is assisting those residents to regain the independence that they lost prior to coming into the residential facility.

It is essential that organisations grow and develop new technologies for the very purpose of allowing people to once again feel alive and make life worth living. What better gift to give a resident than the one that allows them to once again participate with friends throughout the facility, or indeed outside of the facility, in normal activities and social and spiritual events.

Increasingly advanced technology will deliver positive outcomes to promote assisted living and promote independence and inclusiveness. This is one step in the fight to promote independence and wellbeing using advanced technology.