Bupa New Zealand has rolled out a new app across its 40 care homes, giving residents and their families access to real-time information about their everyday care and wellbeing.
The Blua app provides approved whānau and friends with updates on activities, bathing, appointments and wellbeing as well as access to personalised care plans and information such as daily menus.
Bupa New Zealand Managing Director Pedro Sanchez said the app was designed to give families greater visibility of the care their loved one was receiving without replacing their relationships with care staff.
“Families often can’t be at a care home with their loved ones every day, they’ve entrusted our people with that important role. And Blua doesn’t change the human side of care or replace those important relationships, it simply gives families greater visibility and connection to the care their loved one is receiving without needing to be there in person.
“Blua gives residents, as well as approved whānau and friends, real-time updates on everyday care and wellbeing, activities in which they took part, through to what is on the menu. It helps them feel informed, reassured and involved.”
Bupa said Blua was also part of longer-term plans to develop a digital front door for health, wellness and assisted living services for older New Zealanders.
Mr Sanchez said the company envisaged the app eventually helping people access information, services and support whether they were living in a care home or retirement village or looking at care options in the community.
“New Zealanders are living longer and entering care later with more complex health needs. It can be difficult to navigate the health system for older New Zealanders and in time we want to provide a more connected model of care that can give them confidence in how they manage their health and access the support they need.”
Blua is part of a wider digital programme at Bupa that includes an AI-powered platform providing care teams with access to clinical guidance and a digital early warning system designed to identify deterioration in residents’ health.
“When it comes to care, we find technology works best when it supports people, rather than replaces them,” Mr Sanchez said.
“Our digital tools are designed to help care teams spend more time on the high-value work of care, while providing better insight, and enabling quality and consistency of care.”
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