Transition care boost in Tasmania

Older people in Tasmania will have access to additional support services, following the announcement of 37 new places for the Transition Care Program.

The new places were announced by the Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro, and the Tasmanian Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings.

Transition care is a new model of care for older people after a hospital stay. It is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the state and territory governments.

Senator Santoro said 32 places covering Southern Tasmania had been allocated and would be operational from 1 July, 2007 and an additional five places would become operational as local services were developed.
The additional places bring the total numbers of transition care places now funded in Tasmania to 57.

Transition care provides support and therapies to help older Australians to become confident enough to return home after a hospital stay where possible, and avoid premature admission to residential aged care, with the support of in-home care if necessary.