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ITAC 2024
Reshaping the aged care ecosystem
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FEATURE
SPONSORED FEATURE
ITAC 2024 is anticipated to attract hundreds of delegates
Reshaping the aged care ecosystem One of the most anticipated events on the sector’s calendar, March’s ITAC conference will explore the transformative power of technology.
T
he ongoing – and complex – digital transformation of the aged care sector means there is much to discuss at ITAC 2024. Regardless of role, IT team members, CEOs or board members can expect to take away practical and evidence-based ideas and solutions from the two-day event. “There is a diverse range of issues in front of aged and community care providers to consider,” Anne Livingstone – executive lead of the Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council (ACIITC)– tells Australian Ageing Agenda. “We don’t underestimate the needs that providers have around digital transformation and its complexity,” she says. “The conference is attempting to look at the key elements of that complexity and to give providers some practical evidence-based resources to takeaway and reflect on, as well as provide a roadmap for investment and change.” A biennial event, the Innovation & Technology Across Care (ITAC) national conference aims to inspire stakeholders to explore
Anne Livingstone
ITAC 2024 includes plenty of opportunities for networking
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the latest technological breakthroughs. For the first time, the conference is jointly presented with the Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) to bring together aged care providers, researchers, vendors and innovators. And there is a lot to catch up on. “The sector has been through enormous technological change since ITAC 2022,” says Livingstone. ITAC platforms real-world examples of how innovative technologies are modifying the aged care landscape. “The conference is a comprehensive opportunity for people to see what’s happening and what they should foreshadow,” says Livingstone. From assistive technology to telehealth solutions, the conference will explore cuttingedge innovations that have the potential to revolutionise consumer care and – more broadly – Australia’s aged care system. The theme of ITAC 2024 – held on the Gold Coast on 26-27 March – is Elevating Aged and Community Care and Inspiring Innovation. Underlying the overarching theme are nine key topics. Empowering care through technology is among them. Acknowledging that the sector is experiencing an acute and ongoing workforce shortfall, Livingstone says providers would be smart to seek out evidence-based technological solutions that can pick up the slack by freeing staff from repetitive and monotonous tasks. “Providers should be augmenting or indeed using technology that can perform those sorts of tasks,” she says. “Technology exists that can divert those important hands and hearts to providing the front-facing quality care that older people need.” ACIITC has conducted a National Aged and Community Care Organisation Digital Maturity Study on behalf of the Australian Digital Health
SPONSORED FEATURE Agency. The results – to be revealed at ITAC 2024 – show that too few providers are taking advantage of technology. “There are some leaders who are doing extraordinarily great work but there are a lot who are performing at what we feel is an average level of digital maturity,” says Livingstone. “Some of that is down to the fact that they don’t have the dollars to invest.” But, adds Livingstone, it’s important that providers spend on technology to future-proof their businesses. “It’s a long-term sustained investment.” Another reason for the slow take-up of tech is a lack of knowledge. “Providers may not have the digital intelligence about how technology can improve quality of care,” she says. Also being discussed at ITAC: The compelling case for a national digital and data strategy. “There is a hugely compelling case to standardise the way that reports are being generated by various departments,” says Livingstone. “The sector is spending too many resources on duplicating data. A person who might have had a fall, for example, would be subject, conservatively, to seven different assessments. If we had a standardised way in which we collect such data, we would be able to use that information much more appropriately.” Global perspectives: international considerations in care technology, is another key topic. Compared to some countries, Australia’s aged care sector is lagging behind the technological ball. But, as Livingstone is keen to point out, we have some “exemplary studies” to share with the world. “We don’t always have to follow other countries – I want to state that from the beginning – because there are pockets that are doing some good stuff.” That said, Livingstone tells AAA that ITAC will be highlighting international technological advancements, including the work of Professor Gregory Alexander from the Columbia University School of Nursing. “He’s doing a lot of good work in the United States around validating the digital maturity of the sector,” she says. Livingstone also points to Europe as an epicentre of technological progress. “Innovation is a high agenda item for many European countries who see that technology in terms of workforce and service model design can provide real opportunities to give older people more choice and control over their care and support,” she says. “There are also some great initiatives around codesign.” Japan, too, is leading the way. “There are some great examples, particularly of assistive technologies that are helping older people in that super-ageing country,” says Livingstone. ITAC will also feature the work ACIITC has done with researchers in Hong Kong “where there are a number of companies doing fantastic work in robotics.” To level up with other countries, Australia’s aged care industry needs “better infrastructure and better IT skillsets,” says Livingstone. “We need to do a lot of work in building capacity and capability of the sector.” ITAC 2024 is anticipated to attract hundreds of delegates from around Australia. And they won’t all be IT nerds. “ITAC has a very broad attendance,” says Livingstone.
ITAC 2024 key topics: Empowering care through technology Integration and innovation transforming aged and community care Journey to digital maturity The compelling case for a National Digital and Data Strategy Securing care: navigating the cybersecurity landscape Global perspectives: international considerations in care technology Ethics and legal considerations in care technology Innovations in assistive and enabling technologies: care beyond the boundaries Using the evidence to drive aged care innovation
ITAC 2022 award winners celebrate at the conference dinner
“Stakeholders get to collaborate in creating an effective worldclass aged care ecosystem.”
There’ll be researchers, policymakers, consumer advocates and sector executives. “Board members should come along and hear some of the contemporary issues around governance and risk – especially cyber security,” says Livingstone. “They’ll learn how robust cyber-security measures protect data and contribute to the peace of mind of older Australians and their families.” ITAC also attracts procurement personnel. “The trade hall is so extensive – it’s a great showcase. If there’s an outstanding product in a particular area, you’ll see it,” says Livingstone. “We get a lot of startups. We get a lot of people who are trying to redevelop products or who are tapping into the unmet needs of the sector.” Government representatives also appear at the event. “They get to hear from real experts about what is driving digital transformation, and what barriers exist.” Most of all, ITAC allows delegates to network; to share new ideas and gain fresh insights. The evening program includes the ITAC 2024 Awards Dinner on 26 March. “Stakeholders get to collaborate in creating an effective worldclass aged care ecosystem,” says Livingstone. And if that isn’t enough of a reason to attend, says Livingstone, there’s always the location. “Hopefully beautiful downtown Gold Coast will encourage everyone to come.” n
ITAC 2024
26-27 March 2024* Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland W: aciitc.com.au/itac *Early bird discount closes 24 February 2024 ACCPA members also eligible for discounted registration
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