Report: Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy 2024 -2029

Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy 2024 -2029

The Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) released the Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy 2024-2029  to outline how they will work with partners and the aged care sector for better collaboration through data and digital innovation.

The aged care workforce is currently facing shortages, which are forecasted to worsen. The Intergenerational Report forecasts that by 2062, the number of people over 65 will more than double, and those over the age of 85 will more than triple. This is a call for action to ensure the aged care sector is equipped and future-proofed to deal with the challenges that lie ahead.

An aim of the Strategy is for older Australians to tell DoHAC once about important information related to their care. By doing so, aged care workers can provide higher quality and better-connected care. Data should be shared and used securely to deliver sustainable care. The seamless flow of information should occur across health, aged care, allied health and other care sectors.

The Strategy focuses on digital improvements; however, it also acknowledges that not all people have access to digital technologies and require non-digital ways to access information.

Aged care workers should be supported to be digitally empowered to provide better high-quality connected care. This includes increasing worker digital literacy and building and sustaining the digital maturity of service providers.

The Action Plan

The Action Plan outlines how the Strategy will be implemented to achieve high-quality person-centred care for older Australians. DoHAC plans to use an existing tool, LiveUp, to better manage aspects of the ageing journey. DoHAC plans to partner with peak bodies and research organisations to do so.  

KeepAble, an existing digital channel, will also be strengthened for health professionals to access high-quality information to support older Australians. As a part of this process, DoHAC will partner with peak bodies.  

A framework for provider digital maturity will be established in collaboration with peak bodies, as well as the development of an Artificial Intelligence and innovation framework.

We note that the virtual reality trial in aged care will engage 20 occupational therapists. We are disappointed that this is the only allied health profession to be engaged in this trial.