HELPING OLDER QUEENSLANDERS GET OUT OF HOSPITAL AND REGAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE -- TRANSITION CARE

The Australian and Queensland Governments – working in partnership – today announced 20 newly operational transitional care places for the State.

Queensland Minister for Health Stephen Robertson today welcomed the official opening of the places at Brisbane’s Eventide Nursing Home.

“Transition care places are about helping older Australians get out of hospital and regain their independence in their own homes.

“The opening of the Saltwood Unit is a milestone for Queensland’s Transition Care Program and will benefit older people living in Brisbane’s northern suburbs, in Redcliffe, Caboolture, Kilcoy and Pine Rivers.

“These places will help free up valuable resources for those needing urgent treatment in Queensland hospitals,” Mr Robertson said.

The Australian Government is working closely with the Queensland Government to provide extra transition care places to help older people make a smooth transition from hospital back to their homes or into residential care.

The Rudd Government has committed $293.2 million – over four years – 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.

Each funded place will be used by up to eight (7.5) different older Queenslanders a year.

Queensland received 38 new transition care places this year and has now made 32 of these places operational. The remaining 6 new places are expected to be operational at services in Cairns and Townsville from 1 January 2009.

States and Territories are the approved providers for the transition care program, which allows them to determine the model of transition care based on local need. This includes determining whether community-based or bed-based transition care is required to address local needs.

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 said that nationally, by mid-2012, when all 4,000 transition care places are fully operational, up to 30,000 older Australians would benefit each year.

“Older Australians – after a hospital procedure – want to return to their homes rather than staying in hospital or going into a nursing hostel prematurely,” the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot said.

“Transition care places are about making sure that older Australians retain their independence and ensuring their quality of life.

“It is also about preparing for the challenges of an ageing population and their needs,” Mrs Elliot said.

Australia has one of the longest life expectancies of any country in the world, for both men and women.

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.

Examples of personal care services may include assistance with:

• Showering, dressing and eating;
• Managing incontinence;
• Transport to appointments; and
• Moving, eating and communication.

Details: Minister Elliot’s Office (02) 6277 7280 or Kathryn Conroy 0448 249 447

Minister Robertson’s Office: Catherine Goldie 0417 728 676