Innovation Key to New Aged Care Design Standards

Enabling innovation in the delivery of aged care services should guide the proposed new aged care design standards in Australia. That was a key message in KPA Architects submission to the federal government on the preparation of the new standards.

Improved aged care design standards was a central recommendation of the recent Royal Commission. However, KPA cautioned the authorities to avoid being over-prescriptive in the new design standards.

KPA Director, Todd Paterson said a performance-based approach in the new aged care design standards is preferred to a tick-box approach.

“A system that informs the industry what outcomes are desired from a facility will encourage greater innovation and ultimately, improved delivery of aged care services.

“A performance-based approach will also enable owners of existing facilities to transition more readily to new design standards”.

The new design standards are expected to cover three broad elements:

• the role of accessibility, inclusiveness and dementia-friendly design
• the role of smaller group home models and existing larger scale facilities, and
• appropriate safety features, including infection protection and control and ventilation requirements.

More information about the new aged care design standards is available at:
New residential aged care design standards – Australian Government Department of Health – Citizen Space

Image: Opal HealthCare, Treeby Parklands Care Community by KPA Architects
Image Credit: Opal HealthCare