There is a range of assistive technology and programs hitting the Australian market to help keep seniors living in their own homes.
Designed to provide funding for things like handrails and ramps, these initiatives will help ease the growing Australian nursing home shortage.
Joy Good has lived in her Kensington home for 55 years. Aged 81, she’s making modifications to ensure she never has to leave.
“The front gate has two rails and then when my husband got sick, we got the other railing to make it easier because it was quite difficult to get him up the stairs.”
More and more WA seniors are modifying their homes to avoid residential aged care. Joy’s ramps and rails were custom built by a not for profit company, Technology For Aging and Disability WA, where demand has skyrocketed 46% in the past 12 months.
The most popular modification would probably be the simple grab rails because they’re so versatile. Other products like the Therm-Oz Thermostatic shower valve and a lego-inspired where you can put together any shape and configuration of ramp very, very quickly and inexpensively.
More seniors are taking advantage of the federal funding, which helps cover the cost of installation. These support programs and initiatives mean that people will remain agile and mobile, which adds to their ability to live longer.
The federal government today tipping in an extra 15 million dollars into this game. There’s a residential aged care crisis in WA, with 2,000 seniors waiting for a place.
But for those like Joy, home is the place to be.
“It’s made life easier.”