Too much paperwork, not enough care? Australian company takes aim at aged care’s hidden administrative burden

Ordering everyday essentials for older Australians shouldn't be complicated. Yet behind a simple delivery of continence products, wound-care supplies or mobility equipment can lie a tangle of suppliers, invoices, delivery records and government reporting requirements.

Now Australian-owned technology company Chooze is joining forces with national aged-care and disability support provider Just Better Care to tackle the administrative burden behind delivering care.

The agreement will give Just Better Care offices access to Chooze's multi-vendor procurement platform, bringing purchasing, invoicing and delivery tracking into one system while allowing local franchises to retain their choice of suppliers and products.

Just Better Care's network supports approximately 8,500 Australians nationally. All 55 Just Better Care offices are eligible to join the partnership, and they are being onboarded progressively.

Chooze CEO and Managing Director Kerry Kingham said reducing unnecessary administration meant care teams could concentrate on supporting their clients.

"This is exactly what we built Chooze for, helping a national network run procurement as one system instead of many separate ones, so teams spend less time on admin and more time with the people they support. No matter which providers I meet with, large or small, they all experience the same challenges: purchase orders, multiple supplier platforms, hours spent coding invoices and then calling clients to ensure their products have been delivered before claiming."

The partnership comes as aged-care providers navigate the Support at Home program and its purchasing and reporting requirements.

Chooze provides access to more than 100 Australian-based suppliers and over 20,000 products, with consolidated invoicing, recurring orders and purchasing information designed to assist with Support at Home administration.

Chooze is part of the procurement infrastructure providers use to reduce the administration that is now part of the new Support at Home legislation. It takes on repetitive, time-consuming tasks, including recurring orders that are often handled by nurses, so staff can spend that time on higher-value work or supporting clients. Providers can estimate their potential savings using the Chooze calculator at agedcare.chooze.com.au, which draws on assumptions from sources including the ATO and Stewart Brown.

Just Better Care CEO Lee Walsh said the partnership would help local offices source essential supplies more efficiently.

"We're delighted to be working closely with Chooze. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting our local offices with practical, Australian-made solutions that ultimately benefit the people we care for."

The national agreement has been signed, with individual Just Better Care offices able to enrol and access the platform, including through the Just Better Care app.

ENDS

About Chooze

Chooze is an Australian-owned, multi-vendor procurement platform designed to help aged-care organisations source everyday care products and equipment. It brings together products from Australian-based sellers and provides purchasing, invoicing, delivery tracking and administrative tools intended to simplify procurement for care providers.

Website: www.chooze.com.au

About Just Better Care

Just Better Care is an Australian network providing in-home aged-care and disability support services. Its local offices support people to live independently and remain connected to their communities.
Website: www.justbettercare.com

Media enquiries

Tim Price - Sentral Media Group
tim.price@sentralbrands.com

Interviews available with: Kerry Kingham, CEO and Managing Director, Chooze.