What to do when you need aged care, but there’s no room

Right now, hundreds of older people are stuck in public hospitals across the country — not because they need to be there, but because there’s nowhere else for them to go. In South Australia, some people are waiting months for a bed in residential aged care, even after being medically cleared to leave the hospital.

It’s a hidden crisis — and one that families need to prepare for.

Hospitals are full, aged care homes are full and people are caught in the middle

In South Australia, the wait time from assessment to entering a residential aged care home is now more than 250 days — almost twice the national average. Additionally, with many homes at over 90 percent occupancy and more closing each year, access is getting harder, not easier.

To cope, the South Australian Government has taken drastic steps, including turning a city hotel into a makeshift care facility and opening extra ‘bridging’ beds at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre. These stop-gap solutions help free up hospital beds, but they’re not designed to meet growing demand in the long term.

What can you do if you need aged care urgently?

If you or a loved one is waiting for a place in care or trying to avoid the hospital altogether, here are some steps to consider…

√ Explore 

Short-term care options

Ask your hospital or care provider about Transition Care Programs, which provide short-term support while you wait for a long-term solution. The government recently increased funding for these services.

√ Consider 

Home Care Packages

You may be eligible for a Home Care Package while you wait. Although there are also waiting lists here, interim support, such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme — CHSP, may be available more quickly.

√ Look beyond your local area

Consider expanding your search to regional or neighbouring suburbs, especially if you’re in a high-demand metro area. Tools like AgedCareGuide.com.au can help you find available providers.

√ Talk to My Aged Care

If your situation becomes urgent, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and let them know your circumstances have changed. You may be able to update your priority level or access other supports.

√ Seek hospital discharge advocacy

Ask to speak to the hospital’s discharge coordinator or social worker. They can help navigate aged care referrals, temporary placement options and connect you with services.

Why this matters

Behind every blocked hospital bed is a person — someone’s mum, dad or grandparent — who deserves care in the right place, not just the next available one. With the aged care system under pressure from rising demand, workforce shortages and funding gaps, families are often left to navigate it alone.

The Federal Government has announced more funding, including 24,100 new Home Care Packages and hundreds of millions for discharge support, but the gap between policy and availability remains wide.

The bottom line

If you need aged care now, act early, be persistent and explore all your options — including those you may not have considered before. Transitional programs, in-home care or short-term respite can all help bridge the gap.

While the system works toward long-term reform, your best defence is good information, support and planning.

What do you think about this news? Let the team at Talking Aged Care know and subscribe to the newsletter for more information, news and industry updates.

Related content:

Differences between respite at home and nursing home respite

What types of respite care are there?

How to use respite in an emergency situation