When Philippa Lewis, newly appointed to the Global Centre for Modern Ageing (GCMA) Board, entered the Aged Care sector in 1989, she found a fragmented and unregulated ‘cottage’ industry. She felt strongly compelled to make a positive impact.
It’s a mission, explains Philippa, that’s common to many in Aged Care. “We tend to stay. We can’t leave it. It’s a philosophy we all hold close to our hearts.”
Over her broad professional career, spanning more than 30 years in the industry of ageing, Philippa has developed and commercialised many products supporting older people to remain in their homes. Her first venture, in partnership with a Swedish company, brought disposable continence aids to Australia.
She later established one of the first Australian businesses providing care in the home. Over 15 years, that business grew to become a market leader in the supply of clinical care, personal care products, training, education, and other services to the Residential Aged Care (RAC) community.
“I realised that RAC was not a place I wanted to be as I grew older. Staying at home and remaining independent for as long as possible is the goal of most people as they age”, explains Philippa.
“I had ageing parents, and I didn’t like the look of their future care options. Now, we’re 30 years down the track, and it’s improved - but not to the level it could be at. There is near-term potential to make it better, if we only have the will and the courage to implement practical changes that are more aligned with ageing people’s needs.”
Philippa’s particular focus is on technology and its potential to transform care, provide quality of life, and foster greater independence, resulting in overall better outcomes.
“There’s a lot we can learn from AI and machine learning about people ageing in their homes”, says Philippa. “Things the average carer would not pick up on. Wearables and sensors can be incredibly powerful, providing bio-feedback and analysis which in turn enhances their comfort, security, and dignity.”
Key to developing useful solutions, fit for widespread adoption by older consumers, is co-design informed by end users, she explains. “Generally speaking, tech developers don’t expose themselves to real-life environments. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in a room to review a User Experience (UX) plan, developed by highly skilled software engineers, and I’ve said, ‘What if I can’t see? What if I can’t hear? What if I’m scared of this? Does this enhance efficiencies or hinder them?’”
“Focus groups are not especially useful. These technologies must be developed in situ, informed by the user. You can invent the cleverest piece of technology. ‘Yes! It works!’ But does it work for a 90-year-old? With disabilities? Can a care worker easily integrate this into their care plan? Is it effective?”
“If you’re older and chronically ill with disabilities, you very quickly lose agency. In other words - your dignity, power, and control. It’s why so many people transition to Residential Aged Care – because we haven’t quite cemented the solutions that will enable older people to continue living - with agency and security - in their own homes.”
The aged care industry, explains Philippa, is slow to adopt new technologies, due in no small part to the overwhelming variety of products and applications already in market.
“This is an industry that’s been purchasing technology erroneously for two decades, and they’re frustrated. They’ve bought solutions that don’t work or are not fit for purpose. Products their staff don’t want, that don’t get adopted within their organisations.”
“Integration is a common stumbling block. Often, we see very costly solutions, clumsily bolted together, that become moribund very quickly.”
Data, says Philippa, causes friction. “You have to find a way to make that data so compelling, it makes the care provider’s job easier – not harder.”
“Having developed and deployed a vast array of AgeTech for more than 20 years, I’ve observed that the Aged Care workforce generally has limited capacity and training in technology. It can prove too disruptive.”
“If we could only solve the problems of connectivity, availability, and integrity of data, we could make a huge difference to the lives of ageing people, achieving buy-in and support from family members, loved ones and organisations seeking to provide care.”
Modern Ageing® is a concept near and dear to Philippa’s heart. Reflecting on her business relationships in Denmark over 25 years, she highlights the stark juxtaposition between Australian and Danish attitudes to older citizens.
“The Danes have an embedded cultural philosophy of older people - ‘We have an overt, emotional response to the protection and care of older people. They are the most respected members of our society. We honour them, and will do whatever it takes to look after them, and provide them with a life that they deserve’.
“Here in Australia, there can be the presence of entrenched, pervasive bias against older people. They’re a group that’s never been given a loud enough voice. If an older person does speak up, they’re often silenced as being irrelevant”, says Philippa.
“We need to create opportunities for older people to live a productive life. We need to respect and honour their ability to continue to contribute to our community - and create opportunities for older people to extend their working lives, for as long as they’d like to. These are key points in creating an Ageing Well economy.”
Philippa says she is inspired by ground-breaking developments in machine learning and IOT integration over the past five years.
“I’m still confident that when I get there, it will be better,” she says. “What I am committed to is developing a clear direction on how we are going to implement these vital changes.
“Sometimes, I fear that people see the problem as too great. But we can’t persist with that outdated narrative because it doesn’t serve any of the stakeholders.”
