DPS celebrates 20 years in aged care publishing and first in disability
DPS Publishing, the company bringing you Talking Aged Care, celebrated 20 years in aged care publishing this week with an anniversary event and the opening of new offices by South Australian Minister for Ageing Zoe Bettison.
The Adelaide based organisation, publishers of the printed DPS Guide to Aged Care, Your Retirement Living and website AgedCareGuide.com.au, has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1998. Founded by social worker David Baker, it all started with one printed guide to help Australians and their families navigate the aged care system.
Today, DPS produces a number of print and online resources and continues to expand its offering, this year launching two new publications and launching a new website aimed at the disability sector.
“In Australian society it is often suggested that the most difficult decision anyone makes in their life is the purchase of the family home, I would argue that it is instead assisting a loved one into care. And if we can make that process easier then more focus and support can be directed to the individual at usually an emotional time for all involved,” DPS CEO Mark Ogden says.
“Our primary purpose is to assist consumers navigate the complex care environment to first select the service that best meets their needs and then the provider to successfully deliver the chosen service – both in the immediate term and as their needs change over time.
Mr Ogden says it was great to see representation from Government, key industry associations and providers at the anniversary event to acknowledge the organisation’s significant milestone.
“We are proud that we have been delivering this important service to the aged care sector now for 20 years, our founder David Baker as a social worker saw first hand the frustration and impact on families trying to navigate the care sector and wanted to make a positive difference, and it is this passion and purpose which still drives us today.”
DPS currently distributes nearly 150,000 publications each year and 1.6 million unique Australians visit the AgedCareGuide.com.au website to assist them navigate the aged care sector, and this number continues to grow year on year.
Described by industry peak body Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) CEO Sean Rooney
as ‘the handshake between consumers and providers’ in the sector, Mr Ogden feels this is a pretty good representation of the role DPS plays.
“I have had providers tell me directly that those who use our services are the most informed consumers they interact with, making the process easier and more efficient at their end also, therefore making a positive contribution for both consumers and providers alike,” he says.
Mr Ogden adds that DPS has some exciting new initiatives planned for 2018.
“To build on our established Aged Care publications, The DPS Guide to Aged Care and Your Retirement Living, we will be launching The DPS Guide to Home Care and entering the Disability Sector with the launch of The DPS Guide to Disability Care. This will be complimented with the launch of a new website, NationalDisabilityGuide.com.au.
“We are also making some significant developments to our website, the culmination of an in depth consumer research project, launching consumer ratings and a care marketplace.
If you would like to know more about DPS publications call 1300 186 688 or visit AgedCareGuide.com.au.