Stories | Hammond Innovations

Better together – partnering to meet the evolving needs of older Australians

Written by Hammond Innovations | Mar 4, 2026 7:50:49 AM
The Australian aged care sector is undergoing one of the most rapid and far reaching reform periods in its history. The pace, scale and depth of change is being strongly felt in day to day practice across the sector. 

Under the new reforms, providers are expected to demonstrate high‑quality care every day, and prove it through systems, staffing and culture. This is a fundamental shift – how we care matters as much as what we do.

This is why we are teaming up with aged care providers to find better ways to care.

The changing tide

Our strategic partners agree the needs of older people are shifting, and the sector must keep up. Daniel Gannon, the executive director of the Retirement Living Council says new models are needed.

“Hammond Innovations understands what the data is telling us. Australians are living longer, but not always healthier lives.

“With dementia now the leading cause of death, aged care can no longer sit alongside healthcare as a separate pillar – the two are inseparable. What gives us confidence is seeing models that meet people where they are, respond to complexity with humility, and evolve as expectations rise.”

This shift demands more than policy tweaks; it requires new approaches to design, workforce capabilities, and partnerships grounded in experience and evidence. This is where we step in.

One of the biggest challenges is dementia. As more people are diagnosed, the demand for specialised support grows. This affects not only the care given, but also how aged care facilities are built and organised. Facilities need to be comfortable, safe, and supportive of people living with dementia. This calls for design that is guided by research and the experiences of those working on the ground.

Partnering for change

We believe that the best solutions come from working together. By partnering with aged care providers, researchers, and design experts, we are able to test new ideas and share what works.

One example is an organisation-wide transformation project with Barossa Village, introducing Australia-first approaches to dementia-informed independent living, urban design, wayfinding, and connected precinct living to its Heritage Park Precinct vision.

The influence goes far beyond buildings, impacting how teams and the community understand what’s possible for people living with dementia. Ben Hall, the CEO of Barossa Village, worked with us because of the range of skills we bring to the table.

“We chose Hammond Innovations because of their rare ability to bring clinical excellence, design intelligence and deep humanity into the same conversation,” he said.

For Anglicare Sydney, it was about driving quality improvement through independent, resident-focused assessment.

“Hammond Innovations’ independent assessment across several homes provided fresh, thoughtful insights into the lived experience of residents and the everyday practice of care in Anglicare’s homes. Their respectful approach added value and identified opportunities to deepen comfort, dignity and connection. The reflections will support our ongoing commitment to strengthening care quality,” said Sonali Pinto, who is executive general manager, clinical governance, at Anglicare Sydney.

Preparing to meet the future

The future of aged care in Australia depends on our ability as a sector to learn and adapt together. Whether it’s through smarter design, improved care practices, or strong partnerships, our mission is clear: to shape a better future for aged care.

Ask us about working together for better care.