A small town in WA not big enough for an aged care home has turned to “virtual aged care”, with volunteers and technology helping older residents to stay in their homes longer.
The “Virtual Village” in Pingelly, WA – one of 10 being funded around the country by the Federal Government – teaches residents to use an app on their phone to get help with tasks such as shopping or visiting the chemist. Volunteers will then help the resident get done what they need, while others organise regular social events.
“The Pingelly Virtual Village will place a significant emphasis on the social requirements to support people to live well. It will ensure that isolation and loneliness amongst the elderly in Pingelly is significantly reduced, with the resultant increase in health and wellbeing,” the project outline said in a submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The volunteers’ tasks are generally ones not covered by Government-funded aged care packages, which some residents are already accessing.
A great example of a community pulling together to support its older members.
