About this service
Many older people will be unable to return home when they leave hospital. However, some people may need more ongoing care than can be provided at home. For people in this situation, consideration of moving into residential aged care is an option.
Moving into a residential aged care facility may be a difficult and emotional decision for you, your family and carers. It can be a time of stress, strong emotions and uncertainty about the future.
Who we care for
To be able to use this service, you must:
- be currently staying at Canberra Hospital or University of Canberra Hospital, and
- have made the decision, with the support of your family and/or substitute decision maker and staff caring for you, to move to a residential aged care facility, and
- have a current approval for permanent residential care from the Aged Care Assessment Team, and
- have appointed an Enduring Power of Attorney/guardian, and
- have a referral made by the social worker/treating team.
How to access this service
This service is free for people staying in the Canberra Hospital and the University of Canberra Hospital.
Please talk with the staff caring for you about whether you can use this service; your treating team or the social worker can refer you.
What to expect
We can:
- help you make a short list of residential aged care facilities that meet your needs and requirements
- help you understand the aged care system
- help you find a permanent place in a residential aged care facility
- talk with residential aged care facilities about your application.
When you have found a place at a residential aged care facility, we will:
- talk with you, the staff caring for you and the residential aged care facility to arrange a suitable date for your move to the facility
- help you and the staff caring for you by making sure all paperwork, medical needs and transport needs are arranged. We will also make sure the hospital and the facility know what your needs are.
What to bring to your appointment
- Medicare card
- We will let you know if we need any medical letters or other information, to assist us to give you the best possible service.
Where we’re located
We will see you while you’re in hospital.
