Lutheran Homes Barossa

Transforming Aged Care Practices with AI and Robotics

A cornerstone of the community with a forward thinking approach

Located in the picturesque Barossa Valley, renowned for its world-class vineyards and rich Lutheran heritage, Lutheran Homes Barossa has emerged as a leader in aged care innovation. For over seven decades, the facility has been a cornerstone of the community. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Lee Martin, it is now at the forefront of integrating robotics into care practices. By blending cutting-edge technology with compassionate care, Lutheran Homes Barossa is setting new global standards in aged care.

A legacy of care

Lutheran Homes Barossa, originally known as Tanunda Lutheran Home, has a storied history that dates back over 70 years. Founded by the Lutheran Church of Australia, the organization has grown from a modest operation into a comprehensive care provider, serving the needs of the elderly population in the Barossa Valley and beyond.

“Our organization is deeply rooted in the Lutheran faith, and about 80% of our residents come from a Lutheran background, explains Lee. The Barossa Valley is a unique region, not just because of its wine but also because it has a high concentration of Lutheran churches—27 in total.”

A church within the facility further reinforces the connection to the Lutheran community. “We have a church as part of our facility, and we see about 80 people attending our services every Sunday,” says Lee. “We also hold other religious ceremonies throughout the week to provide spiritual support to our residents.”

Lutheran Homes Barossa’s mission has always been to provide a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment for the elderly, which has guided the organization’s growth over the years. Today, the facility includes 120 aged care beds, all in single rooms with ensuite bathrooms and 135 independent living units, with plans to expand by an additional 50 units by 2027.

Executive Team

An ageing population

With a deep commitment to personalized, high-quality care, Lutheran Homes Barossa focuses on meeting each resident’s unique needs. The average age of residents ranges from 80 to 85, and the facility proudly cares for several centenarians, including a resident who recently celebrated their 103rd birthday.

“We provide high-level care to our residents, many of whom require specialized support due to conditions like dementia or behavioral issues,” Lee explains. “Our facility is a secure environment, which is crucial for residents who need constant supervision.”

In addition to its core care services, Lutheran Homes Barossa offers a robust lifestyle program designed to enhance the quality of life for residents. Activities are diverse, ranging from bingo and movie nights to physical games and bus trips. The facility even hosts visits from small zoos, providing residents the opportunity to interact with animals—a proven way to boost mood and reduce stress.

“Our residents particularly enjoy our lifestyle program,” Lee says. “We have five staff members dedicated to organizing these activities to keep residents physically and mentally engaged.

One of the highlights of the lifestyle program is the facility’s approach to mealtime. “We believe that dining should be a social experience,” Lee explains. “We often have ‘happy hours’ where residents can enjoy wine or beer together. It’s small but makes a big difference in their daily lives.”

Leadership and staff

Lutheran Homes Barossa’s success results from its comprehensive care services, a strong leadership team, and a dedicated workforce. Lee, who serves as CEO, oversees a team of 200 staff members, 85% of whom are female. The staff is supported by a volunteer board and approximately 80 volunteers, many of whom are in their 80s themselves.

“Our staff is the backbone of our organization,” Lee says. “We have a four-member executive team that reports directly to me, and they oversee five main business units: the aged care facility, three retirement village units, and our home care and Commonwealth Home Support Program units.”

The facility also strongly emphasizes staff training and development. “We actively promote training and experience by supporting local universities and other training institutions,” Lee explains. We provide on-site training and work experience and partner with local high schools and colleges to allow students to learn about aged care.”

One of the most unique aspects of Lutheran Homes Barossa is its use of robots to support staff in their daily tasks. “We’ve got 10 operational robots that assist our staff,” Lee reveals. “These robots are not here to replace human workers but to support them, making their jobs easier and safer.”

Robotics in aged care

Lutheran Homes Barossa is at the forefront of integrating robotics into aged care practices, a move that has garnered attention worldwide. “We’ve had contact from Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States,” Lee says. “It’s becoming apparent that our facility is leading the world in introducing robotics in supportive aged care practices.”

The robots at Lutheran Homes Barossa perform various functions, all designed to improve efficiency and reduce the physical strain on staff. For example, two “truck robots” transport food trolleys, laundry, and other items between the facility’s four wings. “These robots save our staff from walking an estimated 9,000 kilometers per year,” Lee explains. “They also reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries, a significant issue in aged care.”

Another innovation is using cleaning robots that operate during the early morning hours, cleaning over 1,000 square meters of corridors. “This ensures that when our staff and residents start their day, they are greeted by clean, freshly maintained environments,” Lee says.

Enhancing resident comfort and interaction

One of the most intriguing robots is “Paro,” a comfort robot that resembles a baby seal. Paro is interactive, responding to touch and sound with movements and sounds of its own. “Paro is very calming for residents experiencing stress or behavioral issues,” Lee notes.

The facility also employs “Temi,” a robot stationed in the reception area that welcomes visitors, provides directions, and even leads tours. “Temi is still in its early stages of development,” Lee explains. “Stage two will include telehealth capabilities, and stage three will focus on enhancing social connections between residents and their families.”

The newest addition to the facility’s robotic lineup is “Abi,” a social robot with advanced capabilities that can speak 90 languages and conduct interactive programs like Tai Chi. “Abi even knows how to say grace before meals,” Lee recalls. “It was a big hit with our residents.”

Building partnerships and collaborations

Lutheran Homes Barossa’s success is also built on strong partnerships with local organizations. One of the most significant partnerships is with the region’s local pharmacy, Barossa Pharmacists, and general practitioners (GPs).

“We’ve partnered with two other aged care services and Barossa Pharmacists to deploy pharmacists directly into our facilities,” Lee explains. “This collaboration ensures that our residents’ medications are closely monitored and managed.”

The facility’s partnership with local GPs is equally important. “We have four medical centers in the Barossa Valley that support our residents’ day-to-day medical needs,” says Lee. “These GPs are well-supported with access to medical records and pharmacy systems, allowing them to provide timely and accurate care.”

Another long-standing partnership is with GC&J Constructions, the builders responsible for constructing the facility’s independent living units. “They have been with us for over five years, delivering high-quality units that meet the needs of our residents,” Lee adds.

Strategic goals and future aspirations

Looking ahead, Lee is focused on ensuring Lutheran Homes Barossa’s sustainability in a rapidly changing aged care landscape. “The aged care sector in Australia is under a lot of pressure to meet regulatory changes and financial challenges,” he acknowledges. Our main strategic objective is to remain in business as a standalone, not-for-profit organization.”

To achieve this, Lutheran Homes Barossa is expanding its independent living unit business while focusing on budget management. “We are extending our retirement village to ensure we remain financially viable,” Lee explains. “At the same time, we continue to explore new ways to improve the care we provide to our residents through ongoing staff training and development.”

As Australia’s population ages, the demand for aged care services is only expected to grow. “There is no shortage of elderly people requiring 24-hour specialist care,” says Lee. “Our goal is to continue to meet that demand while maintaining the high standards of care that our residents and their families have come to expect.”

Over seven decades of service

“Our focus has always been on providing our residents the highest quality of care,” says Lee. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate, whether through the use of technology or through the partnerships we build with local organizations.”

As the aged care sector continues to evolve, Lutheran Homes Barossa is well-positioned to remain a leader in the field, offering a unique blend of traditional values and modern innovation. “We are leading the world in introducing robotics in supportive aged care practices,” Lee concludes. “But at the end of the day, the personal connections and the quality of care matter most. That’s what we’re here to provide, and we’ll continue to do for many years.”

AT A GLANCE

Lutheran Homes Barossa

What: A not-for-profit aged care provider offering residential care, independent living units, and home care services to seniors in the Barossa Valley region.

Where: South Australia, located in the Barossa Valley.

Website: https://www.beloitks.org/

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