Reflections on the Private Aged Care Masterclass: Technology, Transformation, and the Future of Care
Over three days in September, we had the privilege of participating in the Private Aged Care Masterclass across Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. Hosted by DCM and The SOURCE, these sessions brought together industry leaders from across the aged care spectrum to examine one of the most significant transformations our sector has faced: the emergence of private aged care as a necessary response to Australia’s growing capacity crisis.
The Shift We're Witnessing
What struck me most across these sessions wasn’t just the data; though the statistics are compelling. Victoria has lost 12.4% of aged care beds over the past decade, just as Baby Boomers begin requiring care services. It wasn’t just the industry predictions that up to half of all retirement village beds will become de facto aged care beds within five years.
What was most significant was the fundamental shift in mindset among operators.
Six years ago, when we first began working in this space, the response to integrated care models was typically: “Interesting, but not for us.” Operators would say “It’s too hard—we’ll outsource to a care provider” or “We like it, but we are residential aged care.”
Today, the conversations are different. Operators are saying “This is what the customer wants” and “We are going to deliver the care ourselves.” They recognise that “No one wants to go into institutional care” and residents are clearly expressing “I want to live and die in my own home, where I belong.”
This isn’t just a business model shift; it’s a philosophical one.
The Technology Challenge
Back in 2019, the Founder of one of Australia’s most progrestive Private Aged Care operators articulated a challenge that still resonates: “Care systems are a main issue we struggle to nail. We are not just a residential aged care provider, nor just a home care operator, nor just a retirement village. There is no right system available to us.”
This observation highlights why technology matters so much in this transformation. Traditional care systems were built for siloed models; PERS in independent living, nurse call in residential aged care, never the two shall meet. This reflected the siloed models of care for retirement, residential aged care and home care.
The private aged care model demands something fundamentally different: technology that can deliver any level of care, anywhere, while still feeling like home rather than hospital. It must be flexible enough to adapt as a resident’s needs change, reliable enough to stake care delivery on, and sophisticated enough to provide the clinical insights needed to deliver care confidently.
Data as an Enabler
One theme that generated significant discussion was the role of data in enabling operators to deliver care themselves rather than outsourcing. The technology now exists to provide detailed insights into resident patterns, care interventions, and outcomes.
Sleep pattern analysis can indicate disease progression or intervention success. Activity monitoring can trigger early interventions before acute episodes occur. Combined data from multiple sources can provide a comprehensive view of resident wellbeing.
This matters because delivering care yourself requires confidence; confidence that you have the information needed to make clinical decisions, communicate with families, and justify care levels. The data is no longer just for compliance; it’s for enabling better care delivery.
The AI Question
Across all three sessions, AI featured in discussions. Operators want to know: Where is AI in your platform? How should we be using it? What governance do we need?
My advice remains: embrace it but start thoughtfully. We’re still in early stages. The research tells us that less than ten percent of big corporates investing in AI are achieving more than ten percent improvement in revenue or cost reduction. But the technology is developing rapidly, and your staff are already using it.
The key is finding practical applications. At Eevi, we explored use cases ranging from streamlined care planning processes to AI-assisted nurse call routing. The goal isn’t AI for its own sake, it’s using AI to solve real operational challenges and improve resident experiences.
Moving Forward
The masterclass format, bringing together operators at different stages of their private aged care journey; proved invaluable. Brisbane featured Odyssey, Sydney showcased LDK Healthcare, and Melbourne highlighted Anglicare. Each brought different perspectives on delivering integrated care.
What united them was recognition that this transformation is happening whether we’re ready or not. The question isn’t whether retirement villages will need to provide higher levels of care; it’s how operators will equip themselves to do so sustainably.
Technology plays a crucial role in that equation. Not technology for technology’s sake, but purposeful systems that extend care team capabilities, provide clinical confidence, and maintain the home-like environment that residents demand.
The conversations at these masterclasses reinforced what we’ve learned working with forward-thinking operators over the past decade: the future of aged care looks very different from its past. And that future is arriving faster than many anticipated.
Thank you to DCM, The SOURCE, Leecare, and all the operators who participated in these important discussions. The transformation ahead is significant, but sessions like these demonstrate the sector’s commitment to meeting it head-on.