IRT Aged Care Residents First to Access Telehealth with Customised App

Aged care residents at IRT Thomas Holt Kirrawee in Southern Sydney are among the first to access telehealth services made available this week via an app IRT Group launched with software developer – Checked In Care.

The app, called IRT Connect, is being piloted this week at IRT Thomas Holt Kirrawee before rolling out across all 21 of IRT Group’s aged care centres in NSW, the ACT and South East Queensland.

IRT Group CEO Patrick Reid said the app is one way IRT is working to support the health and wellbeing of aged care residents as they adjust to the strict social distancing measures introduced to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“In the past month our aged care residents, who are among the most at risk of COVID-19, have seen massive changes to their day-to-day lives,” Mr Reid said.

“Right now we are prioritising getting the telehealth function of the app up and running for all of our aged care centres across the country to ensure residents can connect with their doctor remotely as appropriate for their healthcare needs.

Once this function is running smoothly we also intend to build in a video calling function so we can help residents have meaningful catch-ups with their family members.”

Helen Lee, 78, was the first resident at IRT Thomas Holt to use the app on Wednesday afternoon for an appointment with her doctor.

“It was really good, it made me feel more comfortable,” Ms Lee said following her appointment, which was jointly facilitated by an IRT Registered Nurse and Care Coordinator.

“It [the app] was so easy for us to use and visually update the doctor on Helen’s condition and it was nice to see her responding positively to the new technology,” Matilda Critchley, IRT Care Coordinator said.

The IRT Connect app can be used on both Android and iOS devices.

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About IRT Group:

IRT Group is one of Australia’s largest community-owned, not-for-profit providers of retirement living, residential aged care and home care. With 50 years’ experience and locations throughout NSW, the ACT and South East Queensland, we employ almost 2800 people and play a significant role in promoting seniors as dynamic, influential and valuable members of society.