Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program

About the program

The Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program aims to improve outcomes for older people living with dementia who are at risk of delayed hospital discharge.

The program supports older people living with dementia to successfully transition from hospital into either residential aged care, or back to their home, with aged care support.

The program offers dementia behaviour support and advice to hospital staff. This enables hospital staff to provide high quality dementia informed care in the hospital setting.

After discharge from hospital, the program offers intensive support and guidance to ensure the transition is successful for both the person living with dementia and the aged care service.

Why is it important

The program supports hospital and aged care staff, the older person and their family or carers:

during their hospital stay
when transitioning out of hospital
following hospital discharge into an aged care supported environment for up to 3 months.

Locations of Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support

Dementia Support Australia is delivering the program on behalf of the Australian Government. It will be available in 11 locations, with a presence in every state and territory.

Who is eligible for support

To be eligible for the program participants must be:

an older person living with dementia
a patient in a public hospital in one of the designated locations.

How to access the program

The hospital will initiate a referral to Dementia Support Australia who will work with the hospital and aged care provider to provide the support needed.

Visit the Dementia Support Australia website to access a range of videos for help with the transition to care process.

Funding

The Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program is funded through the Strengthening Medicare package, with their aim being to:

reduce avoidable hospital admissions
help older people to be discharged from hospital into more appropriate care sooner.

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