The transition from acute care into residential aged care can affect the long-term wellbeing of a person living with dementia and their families. 

Dementia Support Australia is pleased to be partnering with the Adelaide (South Australia), Hobart (TAS) and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (NSW) to support this transition process and enhance the interface between the acute sector and residential aged care in the coordination of care for people living with dementia who may be at risk of delayed placements.

The Acute to Residential Care Transition Service (ARCTS) is a short and intensive program that will run until the end of 2023. The team will work closely with the person living with dementia, their family, and the care teams in both the acute setting and residential aged care. Our consultants will engage with all involved in the care of the individual requiring support to understand their needs, their background, and experiences. This also includes general practitioners and other health services who have been involved in the care of the person living with dementia.

The aim of this partnership is to make the process as smooth as possible by bringing all people together for the successful transition of someone out of hospital and into residential aged care. 

What will the program look like?

ARCTS is a government funded program which will be conducted in partnership with the local health teams in the acute sector and residential aged care homes in Hobart and Illawarra Shoalhaven regions.

The ARCTS team will work with all involved to help find the right care home, prepare for and provide support during the transition and for up to 12 weeks after the transition to the care home. This will be a highly personalised service with individual advice, strategies and written recommendations for each person referred to the service.

This is an exciting step towards building capacity between acute and aged care for better outcomes for people living with dementia, their families and those who provide care for them.