Business Franchise Australia

Melbourne-based entrepreneurs challenge the traditional model of aged care

Melbourne-based entrepreneurs Amber Biesse and Matt Fitton have been awarded the Australian Master Franchise Licence by Nurse Next Door, North America’s fastest growing home care provider. The agreement will see Fitton and Biesse launch a new model of aged care in Melbourne in March this year, expanding throughout Victoria and Australia in 2020.

The Nurse Next Door home care model is built around positive psychology with a focus on mental health and their trademark Happier AgeingⓇ philosophy.

Founders John DeHart and Ken Sim launched Nurse Next Door in Vancouver, Canada in 2001 with the specific purpose of “doing aged care differently”. The pair have created one of Canada’s most admired corporate cultures – one which celebrates ageing and includes the not-for-profit ‘Dream On’ foundation, a Seniors Wish Foundation encouraging older people to continue to chase their dreams.

Living in Vancouver for the past two years, Biesse and Fitton saw the synergies between the North American and Australian markets and recognised the need for the Happier AgeingⓇ model in Australia.

“Study after study proves that a positive mindset is the cornerstone of not only a longer, happier life but of greater physical health and cognitive function,” Fitton said. “The traditional aged care model continues to focus on the decline and disability associated with age. The strain this places on the healthcare system demands that aged care be done differently, with a model of care that focuses on making lives better – happier and healthier.”

As the Australian Government encourages Australians to consider ageing at home as a viable alternative to residential care, the timing to launch Nurse Next Door in Australia could not be more relevant:

  • 1 in 7 Australians are aged 65 years and over
  • 2000+ people turn 65 each week
  • 497,000 Australians are aged 85 and over & 1000+ people turn 85 each week
  • 68% of men and 48% of women will need aged care at some point beyond 65
  • 120,000 older Australians are currently waiting to be assigned a government homecare package

Teaming up with Amber’s sister Sacha Biesse, who brings over 25 years of nursing experience – both clinical and management – to the organisation,  the trio are excited to leverage the tremendous success Nurse Next Door has experienced in North America and start positively impacting the lives of older Australians.

“In-home health care makes it possible for older Australians to age in their own home, on their own terms. The difference with Nurse Next Door is the idea that age will not be a barrier to doing the things we love.”  –  Matt Fitton