Leaving hospital: do you have to take the first place offered?

It often happens like this: your parent is in hospital, they can't safely go home, and the hospital starts talking about an aged care bed. Sometimes families are told to take the first place that comes up. It can feel like there's no time to think.

This guide explains what's usually expected, what you can ask, and what short-term options can buy some time.

Hospital policies differ by state

Public hospitals are run by each state and territory, and so are their rules about patients waiting for aged care. There's no single national rule.

Some hospitals expect a patient to accept the first suitable place once they no longer need hospital care. One NSW health district's booklet, for example, says this. Some hospitals may also charge a fee if a patient stays on after they no longer need hospital care. Where this happens, it's usually a daily fee that starts once the patient has been in hospital for more than 35 days, with a ceiling set under an agreement between the federal and state governments. Ask your parent's hospital what its own policy is.

What to ask the hospital

It's reasonable to ask, ideally in writing:

• What is the hospital's policy, and can we have a copy?
• What counts as "suitable"? For example, how far from family, and whether it meets your parent's care needs.
• Could your parent move to a nearby home for now and transfer to the home you prefer later?
• Is transition care or respite available while you keep looking?
• Will any fee be charged if your parent stays in hospital while you decide, and from when?

The hospital's social worker or discharge team is the best first contact. They know the local rules and the homes nearby.

Short-term options while you look

• Transition care. Short-term care after a hospital stay, for up to twelve weeks, to help your parent recover and regain independence. It includes nursing, allied health and personal care, and can be at home, in an aged care home, or both. It's arranged before your parent leaves hospital, and can sometimes be extended once, by up to six weeks. There's a daily fee, which is lower when care is at home.
• Residential respite. A short stay in an aged care home. It needs approval through an aged care assessment. It costs the basic daily fee, and there's no payment for the room. The home may also ask for a booking fee.
• Short-term restorative care at home through Support at Home, if your parent may be able to go home with extra help.

Taking a place for now

Accepting a place doesn't lock your parent in forever. They can move to another home later. But moving can bring new agreements, a new room price and, depending on the timing and their arrangements, different rules for paying for the room. Check before you move.

You can ask for time to get advice

Choosing a home is a big decision with lasting money effects: the room price, how it's paid, and what happens to the family home. It's reasonable to ask for a little time to understand the agreements and the costs.

OPAN's free advocates can support you if you feel rushed, and can help you speak with the hospital.

Our guides to the agreements you'll sign and moving in before the means assessment is back cover the next steps.

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