Transition care funding announcement by govt

The Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot has announced the first stage of its $293.2 million transition care program to help older Australians recover and regain their independence after a major hospital stay, with  228 fully-funded transition places – some of them coming on line as early as the first week of July. 

This would benefit up to 1,710 older Australians – in a full year – as each funded place will be used by up to eight (7.5) different older Australians a year.

By mid-2012, up to 92,500 older Australians would benefit from the Transition Care Program. This is a Rudd Labor Government election commitment.

Transition care provides a tailored package of services which may include a range of low intensity therapy services and nursing support and/or personal care services. 

Examples of low intensity therapy services may include: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, podiatry, speech therapy, counselling, and social work.

Examples of personal care services may include assistance with showering, dressing; eating and eating aids; managing incontinence; transport to appointments; and moving, walking, and communication.

The increase will bring the capacity of the Transition Care Program to 4,000 places by the end of the 2011-12 financial year. When all places are fully operational, up to 30,000 older people may benefit from transition care each year.

There will be better coverage of transition care in rural and regional areas such as the Hunter region of NSW, the central region of Victoria, the central and northern regions of Queensland, country areas in South Australia and the north west of Tasmania.

There will also be increased transition care provision in high growth areas such as the coastal regions of NSW and Queensland.