Australia is experiencing significant changes in the demographics of its people. The greatest change lies in age – people are living longer and birth rates are decreasing.
What does this mean? How will our healthcare system cope with this change?
Our vast experience in health and aged care has helped us understand the implications of a growing aging population and its effect on the healthcare industry.
What are we seeing in the healthcare system?
The key mantra across the industry is the idea of ‘patient-centred care’ where the customer is at the centre of their own healthcare journey. The wants and needs of customers over 65 are growing just as fast as the aging population and customers are, more than ever, wanting control over their experience in the healthcare system. In 2015, 1 in 3 elderly residents living in households needed assistance with everyday activities with older women more likely to require assistance than men. It’s also curious that whilst 70% of Australians would prefer their end-of-life care to be at home, only 14% of Australians actually die at home. All insights are leading us back to the ‘home’ – it’s critical for organisations to ensure products and services are in or close to the home. Accessibility is key to achieving healthcare at home.
What do we expect to see?
As a result of an aging population, we are experiencing a new era of tech-savvy seniors. Research confirms that our elderly are embracing the internet to access emails, keep abreast of their jet-setting children and grandchildren on Facebook, check accounts, pay bills, read the news and manage their medical information. Now is the time for aged care providers to also embrace and integrate technology to enhance service delivery. From appointment reminders to sensory devices alerting carers of sudden jolts in heart rate or movements, technology can be used to promote accessibility and seamless coordination between service touchpoints. We can expect to see technology playing a greater role in patient-centred-care.
How can industry players adapt and succeed?
Over the past 12 months we have worked with many innovative organisations such as Cabrini Health, RDNS and Medibank who are engaging with their customers to better understand what they want. This is key to achieving a patient-centred-care strategy. The future looks bright and whilst we can’t show all our cards, technology will play a greater role in new product development and how we communicate with customers over 65.
Hear what our very own TH?NKer, Sarah Goddard PhD, has to say about this important topic.
