Rebuilding independence

There are programs that can help you regain your independence, build strength, learn new skills or rediscover old ones.

Transition Care

Transition Care Programs are designed to improve your independence and confidence after a hospital stay to help you return home rather than entering residential care.

Transition care provides time-limited, goal-oriented and therapy-focused care delivered in your own home or in a ‘live in’ setting

It often includes low intensity therapy, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, social work and nursing support or personal care.

Transition care can be provided for up to 12 weeks, with a possibility to extend to 18 weeks if needed.

To be eligible for transition care, you must be a hospital inpatient and be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team/Service (ACAT/S). Access to transition care is decided on a needs basis, not on your ability to pay fees. Talk to your hospital social worker or discharge planner to find out more details.

Short term restorative care

Short-term restorative care is a Government funded program that provides a range of care and services to improve your wellbeing and help

Transition Care at home

For Hattie, accessing transition care was exactly the right move to get her back to her best.

Hattie had always been active. She went for long runs years before jogging was popular and she had even hiked the Kokoda Track.

As Hattie grew older, she was still fit and active and saw herself as a young and able person.

She even chased her toddler grandson around the living room. But Hattie started to have hip pain that worsened with time. Her doctor suggested a hip replacement.

Hattie didn’t hesitate as she was beginning to feel frustrated and debilitated with the ongoing discomfort preventing her from continuing an active lifestyle. However, when planning the surgery, Hattie realised there was no one within driving distance who was able to help during her recovery.

Hattie and her daughter consulted with home care provider Right at Home, deciding to have a caregiver come to the house for the first three weeks after Hattie’s surgery.

The procedure went off without a hitch and after a few weeks, Hattie was back on her feet.

you stay independent. It is similar to the Transition Care Program in that it rebuilds independence, however you can access it even when you haven’t been admitted to hospital.

Short-term restorative care can be accessed in your home, in the community, in an aged care home or a mix of these, depending on your care needs.

You may be eligible for short-term restorative care services if you:

◆ are slowing down mentally and/or physically

◆ need help with everyday tasks

◆ want to stay independent.

You can receive short-term restorative care for up to eight weeks, twice in any twelve month period. If you can afford to do so, you will be expected to contribute to the cost of your care and services.

The maximum amount you may be asked to pay changes depending on whether you receive care in the community, or in an aged care home. It is calculated as a percentage of the single pension daily rate and the care fees for your service can be discussed with your provider.

While recovering, Hattie accessed a number of services, including shopping, cooking, transport, companionship, cleaning and laundry.

Hattie recovered well at home and she felt that the care and attention she gained from transition care set her on the right path to recovery.

“I’ve never felt better!,” she says.

“Thanks to Right at Home for assisting me after hospital, for their excellent post-hospital care which allowed me to get the situation with my hip sorted once and for all, I am now back to my active life and feel 10 years younger!”

Case study provided by Right at Home