As we roll up the banners and pack away the stands from 2023’s ACCPA conference, the Cater Care team is left planning our strategy to adapt some of the points raised by keynote speakers and exhibitors. The theme of this year’s conference was The Age of Change, and a slew of innovators, inventors, and industry stakeholders headed to the show floor with exciting new offerings for the aged care industry. We’ve condensed a few of the major recurring points of interest and key concerns that we feel will be especially impactful.
Changing innovations for a changing environment
In line with this year’s theme of The Age of Change, the shifting conditions that the Australian aged care industry faces were at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Several presenters spoke optimistically about how staffing and care plans may be altered following the new staffing requirements implemented by the federal government, although concerns linger over the financial implications for smaller providers. As the preference for at-home care rises, the perspective is shifting towards asking the question of what value can residential aged care providers add? ACCPA attendees were quick to retort that there is no shortage of answers for this; presentations and the unveiling of new programs hammered home the importance of the community-building assets of residential care, and there’s always a place for the superior medical and nutritional care outcomes afforded by residential oversight.
Old forms, new funds
Even with all of these new developments and value adds on the table, anxieties remain around the financial performance of the broader aged care sector. As the demand for the broader aged care sector remains strong, the soaring rate of inflation and associated costs of operating a facility continue to trouble many, which has only been exacerbated by the new staffing requirements. Although it is plainly a concern for the industry, it’s also clear it isn’t one that providers intend to let get in their way; almost half of the final day of the conference was dedicated to consultations with bankers, private equity firms, and other financial institutions and stakeholders to explore potential cost-saving measures and increase the competitiveness of the aged care sector.
Cutting back on the hidden costs
In addition to all of the offerings brought to the table by other conference attendees, we’re pleased to share that our own latest addition generated considerable interest. The new Aged Care Catering Health Check is a financial wellbeing tool aimed at providing aged care providers with a quick rundown on some of the hidden costs and potential pitfalls associated with establishing their own aged care solution. More than a few representatives who stopped by the Cater Care booth were interested in seeing what potential savings the Health Check could inform them about, and based on early feedback from providers who were surprised to learn how much they could save, we’re optimistic that the newly developed tool will go on to benefit market providers everywhere.
Preparing for the new age
Presenters and keynote speakers more than lived up to this year’s theme of Age of Change. Even as the situation and environment of the aged care industry in Australia continues to present new challenges, care providers are rising to them with new innovations and ideas aimed at adapting to changing conditions. Cater Care remains fully committed to consistently raising the bar for aged care catering solutions throughout Australia, and we’re hopeful that some of the lessons learned at this conference will help us bring the best, freshest food to market.
We hope to see you all at next year’s ACCPA Conference!
Jonathan Storer
Client Development Manager – Cater Care
Ph: 0424 190 566
jonathan.storer@catercare.com.au
