http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/28/2288529.htm
Govt announces $300m for transitional care
Sick elderly people who are forced into nursing homes prematurely are expected to benefit from changes announced by the Federal Government today.
Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot says the Government is honouring its election promise to provide transitional care for older people to help them go home from hospital rather than to a nursing home.
She says the places will be available around the country including rural and regional areas.
“If older Australians, after being in a hospital, they want to get back to their home as soon as possible, rather than going to a nursing home prematurely, then we want to make sure that happens,” she said.
“It’s about making sure older Australians retain their independence.”
More than 1,700 older Australians are expected to benefit from the program every year.
Ms Elliot says the program will cost almost $300 million.
