TRANSFORMING AGED CARE PRACTICES WITH AI AND ROBOTICS LUTHERAN HOMES B A R O S S A
LUTHERAN HOMES BAROSSA TRANSFORMING PRACTICES WITH A CORNERSTONE OF THE COMMUNITY WITH A FORWARD THINKING APPROACH 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. 1 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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. G AGED CARE H AI & ROBOTICS 2 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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. AN AGEING POPULATION With a deep commitment to personalized, highquality 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 3 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 LUTHERAN HOMES BAROSSA
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LEADING HEALTHCARE STAFFING SOLUTIONS • SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND Providing highly trained and experienced healthcare professionals to offer several sought-after services is at the heart of Seek Nursing Agency’s healthcare approach. Locally owned and managed by an expert and knowledgeable healthcare team consisting of registered medical practitioners, Seek Nursing knows exactly what are the up to the minute needs of the healthcare sector and equips the industry with the very best staffing services every time. Seek Nursing Agency delivers top-tier healthcare staffing services including, personal care assistance, social, community, and civic participation, assistance with cooking, and public transport training as well as a special focus on providing an impressive array of aged care services. All staff are highly trained in assisting the elderly and are experienced in helping to bathe, groom, and dress when needed, as well as providing domestic assistance in key areas including, laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning tasks. Seek Nursing Agency delivers staff to assist in any transportationrelated healthcare needs, social support roles as well as assist in the palliative care of patients in a sensitive and caring manner. By providing temporary staffing solutions to healthcare facilities and hospitals when there is a need to cover shifts and temporary staffing coverage, Seek Nursing Solutions turns to its network of qualified Registered Nurses (RNs), Enrolled Nurses (ERs), and highly- qualified Personal Assistants (PAs) to get the job done and fill any healthcare hole with leading staffing solutions. When the healthcare sector seeks the best, there is only one choice- Seek Nursing Agency. Seek nursing agency is an emerging nursing agency for health care professionals. We are locally owned and managed by a team of health care professionals who understand health care staffing needs and demands. Our experience and longevity in this industry has earned us recognition from our colleagues. We are also a full-service company with knowledgeable and courteous staff to assist with specific needs from all areas of healthcare. Compassionate Care We assist you with your staffing needs. Our Services NDIS & Disability Aged Care Hospital Staffing Book NOW! info@seeknursing.com.au (08) 9466 5594 Level 1/127 Haydown Road Elizabeth Vale SA 5112 Visit our website LUTHERAN HOMES BAROSSA
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 onsite 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 6 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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 7 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 LUTHERAN HOMES BAROSSA
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-today medical needs,” says Lee. “These GPs are wellsupported 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 8 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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 Taking pride in our work by providing our customers with quality, dependable and trustworthy service. www.csjelectrical.com.au admin@csjelectrical.com.au YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICIANS Unit 3, 195 Murray Street, Tanunda, SA, 5352 Po Box 1188, Tanunda, SA, 5352 8563 1405 CLICK TO VIEW ALL OUR SERVICES 9 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 LUTHERAN HOMES BAROSSA
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.” PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Seek Nursing www.seeknursing.com.au Seek nursing agency is an emerging nursing agency for health care professionals. We are locally owned and managed by a team of health care professionals who understand health care staffing needs and demands. Our experience and longevity in this industry has earned us recognition from our colleagues. We are also a full-service company with knowledgeable and courteous staff to assist with specific needs from all areas of healthcare. n Redtech Commercial Refrigeration www.redtech.net.au n Homecare Equipment Services www.homecareequipment.com.au Homecare Equipment specialises in hire and sales of mobility, rehabilitation, aged care and hospital equipment. We have experienced staff to help with equipment advice, delivery and set up within 24 hours, and also specialist consultants who work with therapists and clients about product trials and assessments. n CSJ Electrical www.csjelectrical.com.au The Director of CSJ Electrical started out as a sole trader back in 2008 and quickly became a thriving family owned and operated business. Recognised as a leading electrical contractor in the area. The team embraces best practice to ensure quality, dependable and trustworthy service while understanding the customer’s needs. n Revive Health Services www.revivehealthservices.com.au Revive Health Services Agency delivers exceptional healthcare staffing solutions for aged care facilities, hospitals, disability services, and community care providers. Our skilled professionals ensure top-quality, compassionate care for your clients. Don’t wait—enhance your team’s capabilities today. Contact us at 08 6187 0960 or email admin@revivehealthservices.com. au for immediate assistance. 10 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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