Winners announced in 2022 innovAGEING National Awards

They are the winners of the 2022 innovAGEING National Awards announced at an online awards ceremony on November 24.

Head of innovAGEING Merlin Kong said the winners from each of the six award categories, demonstrate just how far Australia's aged services industry has come in terms of its ability to respond to changing needs and consumer demands through the development of innovative products and practices.

Mr Kong said that across the six categories there have been outstanding examples of innovation with the ultimate aim to provide a better aging experience for older Australians who require aged care services.

"Innovation in aged care is not just about having the right technology and set up, it's about supporting the workforce to deliver better care, and equipping them with the right tools and systems," Mr Kong said.

"I'd like to congratulate all the winners - as well as the finalists - not just for being recognised in our awards program, but also for their commitment to supporting better aged care in Australia.

"In keeping with National Awards tradition to recognise an innovAGEING network contributor for the year - this year's acknowledgement went to Byron Cannon, chief executive at LDK Seniors' Living, and Melissa Argent, chief executive at Rockpool Residential Aged Care for their support of nationwide innovAGEING initiatives."

Mr Kong thanked the judges and the Foundation Partners the Commonwalth Bank and KPMG Australia for their ongoing support in making the awards possible.

"Our foundation partners have been on the innovAGEING journey from the very start, and stayed with us over the last five years. The network would not be what it is without their incredible support. Thank you."

The awards ceremony featured a welcome address by Aged and Community Care Providers Association chief executive Tom Symondson who praised the innovative spirit of the entrants which set an example for the sector.

"This is precisely the kind of innovation that our sector needs to encourage and acknowledge - work that goes some way to enabling older people to maintain their wellbeing, stay safe, and to live their best lives," Mr Symondson said.

"These are great examples of involving older people in how they are supported, or helping them to manage health issues, and ways of assisting staff as they provide support and care for their clients."

The 2022 innovAGEING National Awards Winners are:

Age Services Innovator of the Year

Aidan O'Flaherty, Tulich and Asset Journey

Creation of Asset Journey, allowing operators the ability to track all assets and every maintenance and repairs to those assets provide pivotal guidance on repair/replace decisions.

Enhancing Consumer Experience

Lifeview Residential Care

Design and implementation of the Planting with a Purpose Program, which sees residents teaming up with chefs and gardeners to cultivate and grow fresh produce for lifeview's kitchens.

Realising Wellness and Reablement

Atticus Health

Creation of Mark & Sylvie's Home Care, and initiative to successfully integrate health care into care at home services.

Improving Consumer Choice

Inclusee

Development of the Interests2Enjoy initiative to connect senior participants with volunteers in disparate geo locations, for social support in group settings, using digital technology.

Increasing Care and Service Productivity

McKenzie Aged Care Group with Ausmed

Development of an "Aged Care Industry Passport" a digital certificate that aged care workers can carry with them from one employer to the next to evidence they have completed mandatory training relevant to and recognised by the sector.

Increasing Access to Care and Services

Whiddon Innovation and Strategy Team

Testing and scaling the Exercise 4 Life Program, a pain management and reablement initiative focussed on partnering with residents to entirely customise it to their needs.

Find out more about the winners' projects here.

innovAGEING is the national network for the age services industry, funded by the Australian Government. We are open to all who care for and support older Australians. Our network includes providers, suppliers, researchers, consumer groups, investors and public sector agencies, coming together to: