The MOU was formalised at a special Enterprising Partnership event on 21 September at UniSA’s Innovation Collaboration Centre, launched by South Australian Minister for Ageing Hon. Zoe Bettison.
The event highlighted and celebrated the significant outcomes of the partnership in improving the ageing services sector and informing future policy and practice in the field.
As part of UniSA’s Enterprising Partnerships series – events showcasing impactful collaborations and engagements between UniSA and a range of community and industry partners – this event also highlighted how by working as partners, the two organisations are delivering change and impact across important areas of ageing.
This event was the first to profile a longstanding partnership, which has delivered mutual benefits.
UniSA Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Prof Tanya Monro said the collaboration is addressing one of the most significant social challenges facing communities in the next 40 years.
“By 2050 it is estimated that a quarter of all people in the Asia-Pacific region will be aged 60 or more, and more than 3.5 million Australians will be using aged care services each year,” Prof Monro says.
“It’s a huge challenge and one with many facets, but in workforce alone, the Productivity Commission Report says we probably need to triple our aged care workforce to about 900,000 by 2045.
“It is critical that we understand the impact of this shift in demographics on our communities and our economy, and that we can provide innovative solutions for the aged services sector.
“South Australia is positioning itself to age well, and this partnership is poised to have a strategic and tangible impact on our ability as a state to achieve that.”
Helping Hand Chief Executive Ian Hardy, who has led pioneering reform in the ageing sector over the last two decades and continues to influence as a current member of the federal Department of Health’s Advisory Group engaged in the development of a new set of Standards for aged care services in Australia, said this partnership reflects one of the great strengths of Helping Hand.
“Helping Hand is a sector leader in its investment in research and innovation and in our ambition to continually seek answers to improve quality of life and care services,” he said.
“We are delighted to be recognised as the first external Enterprising Partnership which will form a strong pillar of our future and our contribution to meeting the needs of our communities.”
The relationship between Helping Hand and University of South Australia has grown significantly from its origins of an industry placement program for nursing students. It has grown into a multifaceted relationship with a wide range of student placements across disciplines such as podiatry, physiotherapy, human resources, business, law and interior architecture.
More than 300 students now undertake placements at Helping Hand each year with an annual participation of over 3000 placement days, contributing new thinking and new practice across operational and strategic areas
The two organisations have also collaborated on research projects valued at more than $8 million with outcomes including: developing comprehensive service responses to social engagement, redesigned exercise and activity for people living with dementia, and workforce development including the design and implementation of training tools for staff from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Enterprising Partnerships also aims to take the partnership to a new level of engagement and collaboration, by inviting other organisations working in the ageing and age friendly space to engage with the partnership to develop even richer outcomes for the sector.
“We’re looking to further connect with other organisations whether private, not for profit or government entities who share our passion to change the face of ageing for our state in the future,” Professor Monro said.
“We welcome the exciting outcomes that an even broader partnership may bring for the sector.”
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