AIHW Report backs Rudd Government’s commitment to Transition Care
A new report released on 26 November 2008 on the movement of patients from hospitals to nursing homes gives further weight to the Rudd Labor Government’s national transition care plan.
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26 November 2008
A new report released today on the movement of patients from hospitals to nursing homes gives further weight to the Rudd Labor Government’s national transition care plan.
Transition care can be provided for a maximum of 12 weeks either in the client’s own home or in a home-like environment in a bed-based residential setting to help them regain their independence after a hospital stay and return to their homes.
Minister for Ageing Mrs Justine Elliot was responding to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report—Movement from hospital to residential aged care that analysed the movement of 845,000 people aged 65 years and older.
It covers the period of 2001-02 – under the previous government.
The AIHW report found that 21,800 people were admitted to aged care homes from hospital compared to16,600 from the community.
The AIHW report identified a range of factors that increase the chances of older Australians directly entering nursing homes after a hospital stay.
Over the next four years, the Australian Government has committed $293.2 million to the Transition Care Program, providing an extra 2,000 places on top of the existing 2,000 places for older people after a hospital stay.
Nationally, by mid-2012, when all 4,000 transition care places are fully operational, up to 30,000 older Australians would benefit each year.
As at November 1, the Australian Government allocated 228 new transition care places to help older Australians recover from a hospital stay and return to their own homes.
The 228 places are expected to benefit up to 1,710 older Australians – in a full year. Each funded place will be used by up to eight different older Australians a year.
“Older Australians – after being in hospital – want to return to their homes rather than going to a nursing home prematurely. This is about making sure that older Australians retain their independence and ensuring their quality of life,” Mrs Elliot said.
“Australia has an ageing population and the second longest life expectancy in the world. Being able to identify the factors that increase the chances of older people entering nursing homes directly from hospital is very important for future planning,” Mrs Elliot said.
The Australian Government is working closely with the State and Territory Governments to provide extra transition care places to help older people make a smooth transition from hospital back to their homes or into nursing hostels.
Transition Care - background
Transition care provides a package of services tailored to the person’s needs. This may include a range of low intensity therapy services and nursing support and/or personal care services.
Examples of low intensity therapy service may include:
- Physiotherapy;
- Occupational therapy;
- Dietetics;
- Podiatry; and
- Speech therapy, counselling and social work.
- Showering, dressing and eating;
- Managing incontinence;
- Transport to appointments; and
- Moving, eating and communication.
For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280
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