The 4G upgrade and digital innovation in retirement villages
The 4G upgrade and digital innovation in retirement villages
With the 3G network’s 2024 closure fast approaching, Australia’s largest not-for-profit aged care and independent living provider Bolton Clarke Bolton Clarke InTouch is drawing on its own experience to support other providers.
The Challenge of Network Closure
With the announcement of the 3G network shutdown, more than 3000 personal safety alarms relying on this network in Bolton Clarke’s 38 retirement villages faced obsolescence by the end of June 2024.
To address this challenge and comply with retirement village legislation, the organisation needed to swiftly replace the 3G systems with 4G-enabled alarms while seizing the opportunity to introduce additional benefits for residents and village teams.
Safeguarding Residents and adding benefits
To address this challenge and make the most of 4G capability for residents, Bolton Clarke has worked over the past several years on a comprehensive project led by a dedicated Digital Independence division Bolton Clarke InTouch
The project focused on both maintaining connectivity during the transition to 4G and on seeking innovative solutions to enhance safety and support independence, working with retirement village residents and teams.
This proactive approach resulted in the development of the Bolton Clarke InTouch Home Alert System™ Bolton Clarke InTouch , a comprehensive solution addressing alarm monitoring needs while offering flexibility for future enhancements.
Features include
- – Automatic device checks
- – Faster response times
- – Remote troubleshooting is integrated into the 4G Alarm Dialler system
- – Prioritising resident safety
- – Client convenience.
Strategic Response and Implementation
The key to a successful response lay in early planning and evaluation of opportunities.
Bolton Clarke initiated planning in June 2020, engaging residents to understand their specific needs. The Bolton Clarke InTouch Home Alert system was chosen because it catered to personal and in-home alarm monitoring needs, including falls monitoring, while allowing for adaptable solutions as requirements evolved.
The benefits of the new 4G Alarm Dialler system included automatic device checking, multiple backup options, remote device access for quick issue resolution, enhanced response speeds, and proactive problem identification – streamlining safety for residents.
Project response to the challenge
To test the solution, the team undertook a successful a trial and then installed the Bolton Clarke InTouch Home Alert Systems across 26 retirement villages in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, WA, and SA. Within 12 months this phase encompassed 2,000 clients using the new InTouch personal safety alarm system.
Phase two expanded the roll-out across all 38 villages, reaching over 3,000 residents – with additional GPS capabilities for over 500 people.
Technological Innovations and Future Proofing Personal Alarm Systems for Seniors
The Digital Independence team carefully selected the InTouch Home Alert system for its reliability, diverse features, scalability, and adherence to Australian standards.
An optional InTouch Plus suite was introduced offering enhanced independent living opportunities to residents such as in-room motion sensors and real-time activity reports to alert family of potential incidents, building on the InTouch Prime pendant’s automatic falls detection.
The award-winning selection of feature-rich solutions underscored Bolton Clarke’s commitment to continuous innovation of personal alarm devices.
To enable residents to move safely in the community optional GPS monitoring solution is available through InTouch GO pendants and watches. These are also linked to the Emergency Response Centre.
Learnings and Best Practices
Effective communication, collaboration with resident committees, and addressing concerns were instrumental in garnering support.
Training sessions ensured residents were well-versed in using the new system, fostering confidence in emergency response. Streamlined processes, such as digital contracting, expedited the transition while adhering to regulatory requirements.
Looking Ahead: Addressing Impending Challenges
The rush to complete upgrades by June 2024, when the 3G network closes, may lead to resource constraints – meaning timely action is critical to ensure service continuity and compliance.
Potential hardware shortages and logistical challenges loom. Coordinated efforts to swiftly upgrade remaining personal alarm systems are imperative, considering potential demand surges and logistical constraints.
Seizing the Opportunity for Safety and Innovation
While time remains, urgency is crucial. Leveraging available resources, seeking expert guidance, and learning from others’ experiences are pivotal in ensuring a smooth transition.
The transition to 4G brings not only enhanced safety measures but also opportunities for expanded services and improved well-being for retirement village residents. Embracing this change is crucial to ensuring continued safety and a better quality of life for everyone involved.
For more information on Bolton Clarke InTouch GO visit Bolton Clarke InTouch
Attribution: This article has been provided courtesy of the Digital Independence Team at Bolton Clarke.