Australian seniors have joined the telecare ‘smart home’ revolution, with Feros Care’s technology arm, LifeLink, celebrating 500 installations since first introducing the technology just 18 months ago.

The popular and innovative telecare service (such as personal safety alarms, inactivity sensors, medication reminders and property exit [wandering] sensors that are linked to a 24 hour response centre) was among the first to be introduced in Australia.

500 senior Australians have transformed their homes into a residence that now provides safety and peace of mind that should they suddenly become sick or immobile, an alarm will be raised and help can be promptly sent. LifeLink is available nationally, however, the greatest areas of uptake have been the Hastings Shire (120 smart homes) and the Tweed Shire (117 smart homes).

Feros Care CEO Jennene Buckley said telecare technology is the way of the future when it comes to supporting the independence and safety of the senior community.

“As reflected in the Productivity Commission’s draft report, Caring for Older Australians, more and more people aged 65 and over want to remain in their homes for longer. They aren’t as willing to leave their family home and want to have services and support offered to them there,” said Ms Buckley.

“Following a pilot program in 2010, we have enhanced our community services and now offer telecare technology as a mainstream service. The rapid uptake by seniors shows that this is a viable support solution.

“Sometimes it takes only one undetected fall for a senior in their home to set off a chain of events that can lead to premature admission to a nursing home. Telecare can provide piece of mind knowing that an alert will be raised (by the senior or by an inactivity sensor) and help can be on the way.” Ms Buckley said.

Any existing home can be set-up as a ‘smart home’ with a variety of advanced technology, with enhanced services for people living with dementia such as property exit sensors and pager transmitters. When any of the technology alarms are triggered an alert goes through to a 24 hour response centre that can contact family, a carer or if necessary, emergency services to assist the person in the home.

Elaine Phillips, 78, has LifeLink’s inactivity sensor and pendant alarm in her home and it has already helped her in an emergency.

“One day I was feeling very dizzy, my vision went blurry and I felt very unwell. I tried to make myself feel better by resting on a chair but even after sitting I felt terrible. So, I pressed the alarm and (the response team) talked to me (from the base alarm). I told them I wasn’t feeling well so they organised for an ambulance to come over – they came straight away,” said Ms Phillips.

“It was definitely worthwhile having the alarm – I was lucky to have to it! My daughter was also very relieved to know that I was able to get help straight away. I would never go without the alarm again and I never take it off!

“Any senior living at home alone should have the (telecare) alarm system. It’s a life saver,” Ms Phillips said.

The 2011 Annual Client and Resident Satisfaction Survey has been sent to our valued clients, residents , carers and their families. We encourage you to provide feedback by completing the survey and returning it to Feros Care in the reply paid envelope by Friday the 18^th of November 2011.

Feros Care is endeavoring to establish a solid foundation for our Quality System, a philosophy to which we are totally committed.  Your honest opinions, comments and observations in relation to issues raised within the survey would be greatly appreciated.

For More information about the survey or to access a copy for completion please contact Feros Care’s Business Centre on 07 5669 0555.

This is the presentation made at the ceremony:

The award category highlights an organisation’s commitment towards its responsibilities within the community – for us it is the quality of services we provide for seniors living in Ballina and surrounding areas.

This award win recognises the hard work and dedication of the Feros Care team from the Gateway staff through to those working in clients’ homes, and everyone in between.

Congratulations and thank you to whole Feros Care Team!

*Video clip purchased locally (05/09/2011)

Feros Care has been in operation for 21 years and has recently won the 2011 international award for Excellence in Ageing Services from the industry’s peak body the International Association of Homes and Services (IAHSA). The local team is excited about growing care services on and surrounding the Sunshine Coast (from North Brisbane to Bundaberg). The Tewantin service hub will allow local staff to hold their meetings and education sessions centrally, and store and distribute needed resources from one local point.

Feros Care CEO Jennene Buckley said it is important that they are a part of the local community and that they strive to provide innovative and empowering care packages.

“Feros Care is very much about putting seniors in the driver’s seat when it comes to care packages. We want to work with our clients in determining what services they need, and how and when they want them delivered, all in a bid to keep them living happily for longer in their own homes,” said Ms Buckley.

“We have many government funded care packages available that will provide services of varying levels. These services can be arranged through our Gateway and administered by local staff who all live on the Sunshine Coast.”

Care packages available to Sunshine Coast residents through Feros Care includes packages for low care, high care, high care with dementia needs, veteran’s community nursing, and telehealth and telecare technology. Feros Care has also just been named as one of the Sunshine Coast Health Service District’s Community Sub-Acute Care Service partners, allowing the organisation to care for seniors following discharge from hospital.

Locally based Executive Care Manager Lisa Fuller said Sunshine Coast seniors can expect to have a service that offers variety.

“We’re not stuck in the stereotype of just looking at cleaning and personal care. Our clients make their own decisions about how our services can assist them,” said Ms Fuller.

“We are also flexible, allowing our clients to change their mind – after all, it is their life, their service and their needs! We all enjoy our work. Our team is bright and friendly, and we’re here to help the local senior community.”

Resident Margaret Williams was one the first Feros Care clients on the Sunshine Coast after she sought their help in caring for her mum, Ellen Williams, who lives at home while battling dementia.

“Having the help from Feros Care has allowed me to keep mum at home for longer. Mum always wanted to stay in her own home until she died. At one point I didn’t think that was going to be possible because of her dementia, but with the help from Feros Care I’m managing with her at home,” said Ms Williams.

“The Feros Care staff are excellent. Their attitude and the help they give us is terrific. If I ever have a problem or need some help with mum they are always there and happy to do it.”

Every two years, IAHSA recognizes member organisations and individuals for programmes and services that are models of innovation and excellence through the IAHSA Excellence in Ageing Services Award. This year’s award recipient is Australian organisation, Feros Care, for the implementation of their Community Care Gateway Programme.

Read more at the Official Blog of IAHSA.