Australian Research Project to Improve the Wellbeing and Safety of Aged Care Residents

Leading Victorian not-for-profit aged care provider Benetas will explore the benefits of new technology in residential aged care flooring, thanks to an Australian-first research project with support from Swinburne University.

The flooring, which will see specific sensor flooring installed under the normal flooring, is set to make life safer and easier for residents at Benetas’ newest aged care development St Paul’s Terrace Aged Care Apartments in Frankston, which is due to open later this year.    

In a coup for the project, a significant portion of the $650,000 flooring cost will be waived by the Australian distributor of the flooring, Healthcare Lifting Specialists.    

Benetas Manager Research, Innovation and Policy Manager, Dr Sophie Mepham, said the flooring had the potential to bring with it a range of significant benefits, for both residents and staff.    

“International research suggests that this technology could greatly assist with the reduction of injuries experienced by aged care residents, while also giving them a sense of safety and freedom,” said Dr Mepham.

“It could also cut business costs dramatically, as frontline staff will be able to shift their focus to more proactive care, reducing time spent on routing checking.”    

“This extensive research program will focus on not just the benefits to residents, in relation to addressing frequency and impact of falls and associated confidence, but how things improve for staff in their day-to-day work.”    

“We’re looking forward to working with residents, their families and staff to ascertain how well the flooring has worked for them, and whether it’s something that would benefit residents at all Benetas sites, and eventually benefit aged care homes more widely across Australia.”    

Through this technology, key staff will be notified immediately if a resident has taken a fall, along with a range of other motions, which will help them to respond quicker, particularly during the night.    

The system will also help staff identify changes in residents’ behavior, such as wandering, which will help to ensure they are receiving the best, most appropriate care.

Find out more about Benetas' aged care services here.