Better aged care: by design

While no one likes to talk about themselves or their parents getting older, there’s a shift towards redesigning aged care systems with a central focus on the humanity and experiences of the residents being cared for.

Shaking up aged care might look like this: community gardens, virtual reality ‘holidays’, men’s sheds, nearby libraries and art galleries, even children’s playgrounds.

Making aged care more ‘playable’ or ‘fun’ is the mission of researcher Professor Evonne Miller who heads up the QUT Design Lab.

Trialling technology to improve the experience of life in aged care is also on the agenda.

Professor Miller’s next research project centres around ‘chore robots’ which would be trained to clear tables, deliver linen and bring medication to aged care residents, freeing up nursing staff to provide greater social and emotional support.

“We’re in the early phases, but I’d rather older people talk to humans than a robot and if robots can do the mundane tasks, that is a case of using technology for good.”

In 2021, Evonne was a chief investigator on a project funded by Facebook to trial virtual reality (VR) headsets in six Queensland and Victorian aged care facilities leading to the development of a toolkit so other facilities can adopt best practice.

“With VR technology, all of a sudden, someone can be back at their childhood home in Tasmania or walking down the street they used to in, or even at the Eiffel Tower or swimming with dolphins,” she said.

“It’s a world where mobility doesn’t matter and it gives them something cool to show the grandkids.”

A big advocate of the term ‘comfortable ageing’, Professor Miller is keen to give a voice to Australia’s ageing population, quipping, “we’re all going to age, if we’re lucky’’.

Professor Miller’s grandfather and uncle both lived with dementia and spent lengthy and challenging periods in aged care, making her acutely aware of the value of positive aged care experiences.

In a project with Ballycara, Professor Miller and her team looked at how aged care providers could change entire systems by embracing the central philosophy that ‘everything we do prioritises resident’s happiness’.

“A good example of this was that a vintage car show coming to an aged care facility was running late, and so everyone was waiting outside with their walkers,” she said.

“While the residents were waiting, staff jumped into their old Hondas and on their bikes and did an impromptu motor show, and everyone was so happy. It’s those little things that make the difference.”

She also revels in breaking down stereotypes and negative perceptions of aged care, through initiatives such as hosting an exhibition of photographs captured by aged care residents illustrating their everyday life.

“Using a creative arts-based approach speaks to people in different ways. People don’t necessarily remember a report, but they might remember a photo of barbeque sauce taken by Patrick because he likes to have barbeque sauce on every one of his meals in aged care,” she said.

“People remember human stories, that they’re a person with their own preferences and idiosyncrasies – and then they can be motivated re-design systems to improve the care experience,” she said.