For older people, a trip to the hospital following a fall or because of an unexpected health crisis can often be a catalyst for entering residential aged care.
In Queensland alone, roughly 50% of all hospital patients are aged 65 or older. Many are at a higher risk of complications related to illness, injury or a prolonged stay.
Unfortunately, most people are not prepared for sudden hospitalisation either of themselves or an older loved one.
Older people themselves, their partners, siblings, adult children and even friends are often caught off guard and forced to react quickly as potentially life-changing decisions need to be made.
This can leave everyone involved feeling pressured to make on-the-spot choices, including whether someone moves into residential aged care or not.
If hospital staff are concerned about you or your loved one’s ability to manage at home without help, residential care can be seen as a safe and easy choice to ensure ongoing care.
However, advocates have expressed concern that older people may have their options limited by the need to free up hospital beds by taking the quickest path.
That’s why residential care is sometimes presented as the only option for leaving the hospital – but it’s not. There are alternative options for older people ready to be discharged but still require help.
Examples include:
Critically, it is your right as a patient to have your choices recognised and respected. No one has to permanently move into a residential care home if they do not want to. Hospital staff must also take the time to discuss the options available.
If you believe alternative options are being ignored, or you just want to learn more about the available aged care options, advocacy can help.
Aged and Disability Advocacy (ADA) Australia advocates can help you navigate hospital discharge pathways and uphold your wishes, whether it means returning home or to residential care.
Although residential aged care can be a safe and reliable pathway for older people requiring ongoing care and support, most people wish to stay in their home.
In fact, older people in Australia have increasingly favoured home care over the past decade, with the number of home care recipients quadrupling.
The government is also investing heavily in home care and Home Care Packages will transition into a new program called Support at Home from July 1, 2025.
The new Support at Home program will also have a Restorative Care Pathway which will allow eligible participants to receive up to 12 weeks of restorative support in the home, with the option to apply for an extension of up to 16 weeks.
Talk with a social or community worker in the hospital about any care you received before your admission and whether extra support may be needed to return home.
Additional support at home may include the:
Hospitals can help you enter a Transition Care Programme plan for up to 12 weeks following discharge and that support can be delivered at home, in a residential care home or a mix of both.
If you have determined that more time is required within 12 weeks, you can contact My Aged Care to request an extension of up to 42 days.
ADA Australia can help older patients ask the right questions and access new or additional services after they have completed transitional care following their hospital stay.
Advocates from the organisation can support the patient in establishing aged care services at home to support their ongoing needs.
Aged care advocates can also help you express your concerns or wishes and work out pathways to your preferred after-hospital care option.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has produced a checklist to help you ask the right questions and establish a discharge plan that suits your needs.
ADA Australia has also published several documents outlining the help it offers, plus your discharge options when you are admitted to the hospital and must decide what to do next.
Aged care advocacy services are independent, free of charge and available across Australia. Call the Aged Care Advocacy Line 1800 700 600 to talk to ADA Australia or an aged care advocacy service in your state or territory. You can find more information about ADA Australia at adaaustralia.com.au.
