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 residential aged care home can be overwhelming—especially when your family is being asked to make important decisions quickly.

Led by an experienced Registered Nurse and former residential aged care General Manager, we help your family understand what is required, prepare the necessary information and communicate with suitable aged care homes.

We can assist with:

Meeting with you and your family to understand your needs and preferences
Completing an independent RN-led clinical review
Reviewing available hospital and aged care information
Identifying care needs, risks and placement requirements
Preparing a comprehensive Admission Readiness Report
Helping identify residential aged care homes that may be suitable
Coordinating information with the hospital and selected aged care homes
Assisting with applications and supporting documentation
Following up questions from residential aged care providers
Providing clear and regular updates to your family
Supporting the transition once a placement has been accepted

Who is this service for?

This service may be helpful when:

Your parent or 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, mobility, cognitive or behavioural needs
Previous applications have been declined
Information is missing or organisations are requesting additional documentation
Your family needs independent guidance about suitable care options
You are trying to manage the process while working or caring for others

Why choose Optimise?

Our service is led by Catriona Mortlock, Founder and Director of Optimise Aged Care Consulting.

Catriona is a Registered Nurse and experienced aged care executive who has worked across clinical care, residential aged care management, governance, compliance and provider consulting.

Having managed residential aged care homes, Catriona understands the information providers need when considering an admission. She also understands how stressful and confusing the process can be for families.

Our approach is independent, compassionate and focused on helping 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

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