Aussie excellence shines at the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards

The 13th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards were held this week as part of the World Ageing Festival in Singapore, with Australian organisations picking up major 11 awards.

Here’s your recap of the local finalists and success stories. The full list of categories, finalists and award winners can be found here. 

Category 1: Operator

Out of the six sub-categories, New South Wales residential care provider Harbison was the sole Australian winner. 

Harbison, a community-owned organisation, provides village-like accommodation and aged care services at Burradoo and Moss in NSW’s Southern Highlands region. It found success in the ‘Active Ageing’ sub-category for its Motiview program. Motiview is a modern, age-friendly exercise bike that allows users to access a global video library of locations while building strength and mobility.

This was one of three wins for Harbison, with the organisation labelling it an “unforgettable week” on LinkedIn.

“This is global recognition for our residents, our families, our care teams and everyone who has believed in Motiview since we brought it from Norway to Harbison in 2018. A special thank you to the Motitech and Motiview teams in Norway who have been with us from the beginning of this journey,” the organisation posted.

“We’re also incredibly proud of our CEO David Cochran, who was named a Global Ageing Influencer this week – a well earned acknowledgment of his leadership and vision.

“Thank you to everyone on our Harbison team for helping us lead with heart, innovate with purpose and take aged care from the Southern Highlands to the world stage.”

Elsewhere, Bolton Clarke and OneToAnother were finalists in ‘Senior Living’ recognised as some of the best independent living/assisted living/retirement living operators in the Asia Pacific region.

New Zealand standalone provider St Andrew’s Village also triumphed over three Australian providers in ‘Residential Aged Care’: NewDirection care, Bolton Clarke and Southern Cross Care NSW/ACT.

Category 2: Facility (Centre-Based)

Just two Australian organisations were nominated across four sub-categories, Regis Aged Care (twice) and Bolton Clarke. Regis Aged Care’s Regis Intergenerational Partnership was named the ‘Facility of the Year – Community Engagement’, one of two awards it received at the event. 

Regis has partnered with the LifeChanger Foundation to connect residents with young students, encouraging intergenerational bonds and learnings. 

“I am honoured and privileged to receive this award on behalf of Regis. It reflects the hard work, creativity and compassion of the entire Regis community, and the standard of Lifestyle and Engagement at Regis,” shared Regis National Manager Lifestyle and Engagement Sally Smith.

“We remain committed to enhancing the connection and purpose for residents and making a meaningful difference in the aged care industry.”

Category 3: Facility (Residential)

Australian representation was strong across the three sub-categories here as Harbison and NewDirection Care were winners in ‘Active Ageing (Residential)’ and Residential Aged Care, respectively.

Harbison achieved recognition for its use of Motiview once again, while NewDirection Care was recognised for its innovative Microtown in Bellmere, Queensland.

Other finalists across the category included Mark Moran Group, Vasey Communities, Watermark Living, Marchese Partners | Life3a, OneToAnother, Bolton Clarke and Smith+Tracey Architects. 

Category 4: Programme

In one of the most extensive categories with 12 awards up for grabs, Harbison and Regis Aged Care once again tasted success. For Regis, its Interhome Community Connections received the ‘Social Engagement – Experiential’ award for bringing together residents from different communities to enjoy events based around various interests.

As for Harbison, Motiview was recognised for its positive impact in ‘Dementia Empowerment’.

The Mark Moran Group also joined the winner’s list for Vaucluse’s Sol Spa that delivers holistic ageing for mind, body and soul. This creative approach was recognised as the best ‘Health and Wellness Programme’. Sol Spa, which is also accessible to the public, was awarded Best Australian Spa at last year’s Spa and Wellness Awards. 

Australian representation was strong throughout the rest of the category, including the likes of Uniting AgeWell, the GreenConnect Dementia Respite Project, Regis Aged Care, NewDirection Care and OneToAnother.

Category 5: Manpower

In one of the smallest categories Bolton Clarke was awarded ‘Innovation of the Year – Career Development’ for its Bolton Clarke Care Champions program. Care Champions is a career pathway program strengthening workforce development and skills while enhancing the care delivered to residents and clients. 

Education provider Altura Learning was nominated in the ‘Caregiver Model’ sub-category, while Regis and Mark Moran Group were finalists for ‘Employee Wellbeing’. 

Category 6: Product (End-User)

There were no direct Australian winners across the five ‘Product’ categories, although Finland-based HUR was a winner in ‘Product – Physical Training and Rehabilitation’ for its mobile app.

Kradal Flooring (falls prevention), Lenexa Medical (pressure injuries and resident monitoring) and the Lantern Alliance (food and nutrition) were the local finalists. 

Category 7: Operational Efficiency & ICT

While it may have missed out in the previous category, Lenexa Medical secured a gong for ‘Operational Management Technology and Productivity’ while the IRT Group was another Australian winner for ‘Productivity by Operator’.

Lenexa Medical, which went on to win another award in the ‘Technology’ category, said it was “on top of the world” and honoured to take home both awards.

These wins show how the aged care sector is prioritising technology, prevention, and innovation. Smart solutions are essential for improving outcomes in elder care and making care more efficient and effective,” it shared on LinkedIn.

“We’re so happy and deeply grateful for this recognition — and more than anything, we’re feeling incredibly blessed to have been surrounded by such a vibrant community of global innovators at this year’s summit in Singapore. The energy, ambition, and passion in the room were contagious!”

EverYoung AI, Apollo Care and Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS) were named as finalists in their respective categories. 

NOTE: Apollo Care received an additional award not listed, the Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution to Aged Care Innovation.

Category 8: Technology

Lenexa Medical was the only Australian organisation to claim an award in ‘Technology’ but it was far from the only finalist. Resparke represented the nation in ‘Dementia Care’, while Harbison and EverYoung AI were finalists in ‘Social Engagement by Operator’ and ‘AI Solution’, respectively.

Congratulations to all award winners and finalists!