A number of providers have been recognised in the Australian super fund’s new annual awards for their innovation and leadership during COVID-19.

The Awards – which launched this year – recognise professionals working in disability, allied health, aged care and community services.

Nominations among aged care providers include:

CATEGORY: OUTSTANDING ORGANISATION – AGED CARE

SA’s ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home) Inc – for the prototype ‘connected communities’ program, which promotes and provides neighbourhood-based support for older people at risk of social isolation and has potential to help other aged care providers do the same.

Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) Inc – for providing quality healthcare for residents using Person Centred Software (PCS), a live monitoring clinical care system that delivers real-time information for each resident to staff. The system has been implemented in SCC’s 17 aged care homes across SA and the Northern Territory.

Community Based Support (CBS) in Moonah, Tasmania – for supporting people who are frail-aged or living with a disability through their nine Social Hubs. These provide connections and community access to older people who may otherwise be isolated including virtual get togethers, exercise programs (online and DVDs) and a meal delivery service that offers a full two-course meal for just $5.

CATEGORY: TEAM EXCELLENCE – AGED CARE

Aged Care Services Team, Footprints in Brisbane Inc QLD – for providing outstanding support and care for older people through the Whole Meals initiative which identified and delivered healthy, nutritious meals to clients who needed to have meals delivered, ensuring they didn’t have to rely on shopping and food preparation during Queensland’s COVID-19 restrictions.

Wound Champions Team, Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) Inc – for increasing awareness and knowledge of best-practice wound care across SCC through the use of wound champions at its 17 aged care homes. The champions have also helped develop a more efficient wound management system and support training on wound staging and classification.

Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults, Swinburne Psychology Clinic, Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn VIC – for providing outstanding mental health care and support for aged care residents through its new National Telehealth Counselling and Support Service.

In total, 24 organisations have been nominated for the awards’ $60,000 prize pool with winners to be announced on 26 November.