Former teacher and nurse Maureen Smith knows where she wants to spend the rest of her life – with husband Tom in their home of 20 years by the Aldinga scrub, just a short walk to the beach. Mrs Smith, now 79 but most days feeling 18, plans to be around for a long time yet with her husband, a former merchant marine engineer, 81. They’ve been together 58 years, but when their final breaths do come, the Smiths want them to carry the scent of the bush and sea. “I would walk into the ocean, if I was still capable of it, before they would put me in a nursing home,” she says. “Tom is definitely the same. Who would want to go into a nursing home? Too many of my friends go into nursing homes and, to be perfectly honest, don’t last very long.” The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s final report this week was a mixed bag of missed opportunities and important changes, experts say. But if the Federal Government accepts the thrust of the proposals, it could be good news for most Australians such as the Smiths, who want to live out their lives at home. Dr David Panter, chief executive of aged-care provider ECH, says while surveys show 70 per cent of Australians want to die at home, only 10 per cent of people over 70 do. He says this is the lowest rate in the developed world because “we’ve got a…

ECH is seeking expressions of interest to run new community cafés in Modbury and Walkerville. The tenancies are on offer at the Encore Apartments project on Smart Road, Modbury, and the ECH Care Hotel - College Grove, Walkerville.

The Alberton Art Trail has won the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Australia Day Award for Best Event. The joint project from The Pear Coffeehouse and leading South Australian ageing care provider ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home), features a walking trail of art created with Alberton residents exploring the meaning, experiences, memories and future of ‘HOME’.

Technology has a great capacity to keep older Australians in their homes longer – which is what most of them want – but a balance with the need for human connection is crucial, ECH chief executive David Panter says.

Leading South Australian ageing care provider ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home) has taken out the national Outstanding Organisation Award in the aged care category at last night’s HESTA Excellence Awards.

ECH Appoints Rosina Hislop as New Chair Leading South Australian ageing care provider ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home) has today announced that accomplished Adelaide business leader and Board Director, Rosina Hislop has been appointed Chair of the organisation. Ms Hislop, who has served as ECH Deputy Chair for four years, takes over the Chair position from Sue Vardon AO who has completed two successful terms in the role. Ms Hislop is an experienced Chair and Board Director and a national facilitator with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is an AICD Fellow and serves on boards of organisations across aged care, education and health. ECH Chief Executive Dr David Panter said Ms Hislop brings with her a wealth of business acumen and corporate governance expertise and will lead the organisation through its next phase of growth and transformation. “Rosina is a successful and highly sought-after strategic thinker and accomplished Chair and Director, making her the ideal fit for the Chair role,” Dr Panter said. “Like all organisations in the aged care industry, ECH is continually evolving and I have no doubt that both the strategic and operational management of the organisation is in highly capable hands for the long term with Rosina at the helm.” Ms Hislop said she was pleased to take on the role and continue to serve the ECH family and broader ageing care industry. “ECH plays a crucial role in calling for and shaping industry change and I am looking forward to help set the…

Leading South Australian ageing care provider ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home) has today announced that accomplished Adelaide business leader and Board Director, Rosina Hislop has been appointed Chair of the organisation.

In an innovative step for the industry, Leading South Australian ageing care provider ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home) has acquired one of Australia’s leading aged care start-ups, Billy. Read more...

IT has taken the COVID pandemic to enable telehealth to be recognised as a key part of a modern health care system. Read more...