For families

Residential Aged Care Transition Support.

Is Mum or Dad in hospital waiting for an aged care home? We provide an independent, family-funded service to help older people and their families move from hospital into residential aged care.

You don’t have to navigate the transition alone

Finding the right aged care home is overwhelming when decisions come fast. Led by an experienced Registered Nurse and former residential aged care General Manager, we help your family understand what's required, prepare the information and communicate with suitable homes.

We can assist with:

  • Meeting with your family to understand your needs and preferences
  • An independent RN-led clinical review
  • Identifying care needs, risks and placement requirements
  • A comprehensive Admission Readiness Report
  • Identifying residential aged care homes that may be suitable
  • Coordinating information with the hospital and aged care homes
  • Assisting with applications and supporting documentation
  • Regular updates and support through to placement

Who is this service for?

This service may be helpful when:

  • Your family member is medically ready to leave hospital
  • Permanent residential aged care has been recommended
  • Your family is unsure where to begin
  • You live interstate or cannot attend the hospital regularly
  • The person has complex clinical, cognitive or behavioural needs
  • Previous applications have been declined

Why choose Optimise?

Led by Catriona Mortlock — Registered Nurse and former residential aged care General Manager — we know exactly what providers need when considering an admission, and how stressful the process is for families.

Independent, compassionate support to help your family make informed decisions.

Our service options

Hospital Aged Care Review

A focused review for families who need professional guidance and a clear understanding of the person’s care and placement requirements.

  • Family consultation
  • Independent RN-led review
  • Review of available clinical information
  • Identification of care needs and clinical risks
  • Admission Readiness Report
  • Discussion with the hospital discharge team
  • Family feedback consultation

Complete Residential Transition Support

Comprehensive support for families who would like assistance throughout the placement process.

  • Hospital Aged Care Review
  • Review of relevant My Aged Care approvals and documentation
  • Assistance identifying potentially suitable aged care homes
  • Preparation and coordination of referral information
  • Liaison with selected residential aged care homes
  • Assistance with application paperwork
  • Hospital case conference where required
  • Regular family communication
  • Support through to acceptance of a suitable placement
  • Post-admission telephone follow-up

Complex Placement and Transition Support

Additional support is available for people with complex clinical needs, dementia, responsive behaviours, significant mobility requirements, complex wounds, bariatric needs, mental health concerns or previous placement refusals.

  • We will discuss your family’s circumstances and provide a clear written quote before services commence.

How the process works

  1. 1Contact us for a free confidential consultation.
  2. 2We discuss your family’s circumstances and determine whether the service is suitable.
  3. 3We provide a written service proposal and quote.
  4. 4The patient or authorised representative signs the service agreement and consent forms.
  5. 5We obtain and review the agreed clinical and aged care information.
  6. 6An independent review and Admission Readiness Report are completed.
  7. 7We help coordinate information with the hospital and selected aged care homes.
  8. 8Your family receives regular communication and support throughout the process.

Important information

  • Optimise will support your family and coordinate the placement process; however, placement in a residential aged care home cannot be guaranteed.
  • All admission decisions are made independently by the individual residential aged care provider, based on factors including the person’s care needs, the provider’s ability to meet those needs and current room availability.
  • This private service complements but does not replace:
  • A government aged care assessment
  • My Aged Care approval processes
  • Hospital discharge planning
  • The residential aged care provider’s admission assessment
  • Medical, financial or legal advice

Book a free 30-minute consultation