In an exciting development, the J.O & J.R Wicking Trust has allocated $85,000 to Touchstone Life Care and aged care provider Whiddon to deliver digital advance care plans (ACPs) to 1,600 aged care residents. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life and death for older Australians
A Milestone in Advance Care Planning
Touchstone Life Care is Australia’s first fully digital ACP platform, designed with best practice co-design principles specifically for older Australians. The platform was founded by Australian medical doctor Dr. Merran Cooper, who is passionate about improving end-of-life care.
“We are thrilled to partner with Whiddon to deliver digital ACPs to more Australians over the next 12 months, and I want to thank the Wicking Trust for this opportunity,” Dr. Cooper said.
The current situation is less than ideal, with less than seven percent of Australians having an ACP. When they do exist, they are typically in paper form, of poor quality, or lack meaningful instructions for clinicians to follow. This often results in doctors prescribing end-of-life care that does not align with the patient’s wishes.
A digital ACP eliminates these risks by providing cloud-based documents that are accessible at transitions of care and across different care settings in real time.
Integration and Training
This project will integrate Touchstone Life Care’s platform into Whiddon’s systems, involve train-the-trainer sessions for Whiddon employees, and allow residents and clients to create, edit, and discuss their digital ACPs before they are needed.
Whiddon Deputy CEO, Alyson Jarrett, emphasized the importance of this project in improving the experience for residents, clients, and their families.
“It’s never easy having a discussion about your end-of-life wishes, but it is a reality that we all need to face,” Ms. Jarrett said. “This project will ensure that older Australians in our care will have control over their preferences for end-of-life care, even if their communication is impacted due to illness or incapacity. This fosters a sense of control and dignity, enhancing overall wellbeing and respect for residents in their final stages of life.”
Alignment with the Wicking Trust's Values
The Grant Program and Social Impact Manager for Equity Trustees, Susie Meagher, which manages the Trust, noted that this initiative aligns perfectly with the Wicking Trust’s values and principles.
“The Wicking Trust distributes grants to people, programs, and research that significantly improve the quality of life and death for older Australians,” Ms. Meagher said. “We have a very clear alignment with the Touchstone Life Care platform and the benefits it brings to older Australians in their end-of-life planning.”
The Broader Impact
The project has already commenced and will be implemented across several Whiddon homes in NSW and QLD.
The Touchstone Life Care platform addresses several recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, particularly those related to digital ACPs.
With the new Aged Care Act, strengthened Standards, and an appointed regulator expected to be in place within 12 months, aged care providers will face the risk of non-compliance if they do not adhere to Standards for Advance Care Planning.
In Australia, ACPs are relevant to:
– 4 million people aged over 65 and their families
– 2,218 providers delivering residential and home-based aged care, required to provide digital ACPs to all of their 360,000 clients
– 160,000 Australians who die each year and another 160,000 who enter ICU annually, along with their families, medical decision-makers, and care providers
About Touchstone Life Care
Touchstone Life Care is Australia’s only fully digital, cloud-based Advance Care Planning (ACP) platform. It integrates with all stakeholders across the healthcare system, making ACPs securely available at the point of need. Traditional ACPs are often physical forms, which are inefficient, lack security, and are prone to mistakes. Touchstone Life Care addresses these issues, ensuring an individual’s wishes are followed during end-of-life care.
About Whiddon Aged Care
Whiddon is an award-winning care provider with a mission to inspire every day in its 22 residential aged care (RAC) homes, community care services, and NDIS support across NSW and SE QLD. Whiddon has been providing exceptional care to older Australians and people with disabilities for over 75 years, focusing on enriching lives and making a real difference. The organization partners with academics and universities to lead innovation and the latest thinking, programs, and training around quality of life and aging.
