July 26 Meeting: The Dilemma of Hospital Discharge Planning

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The Dilemma of Hospital Discharge Planning
Caroline Cadirao, Grants Manager, Executive Office on Aging


The Executive Office on Aging received federal money to develop a comprehensive plan that would empower consumers of all ages to make informed decisions about their options, to streamline access to the services and to support them and their family caregivers. The grant includes developing a system that would help non-Medicaid people avoid institutional placement as long as possible. The goals are to:

• Develop a hospital discharge planning model that meaningfully engages patient input and participation and maximizes the opportunity for patients to return home with home and community based services.

• Establish a fully functioning Aging and Disability Resource Center that is easily accessible to the public and responsive to their needs for information and linkages to long-term care options.

• Streamline the screening, intake, assessment and eligibility determination to reduce paperwork, confusion and frustration in accessing long-term supports.

At this point, task forces have been organized and timelines established. Members of the audience suggested areas to be considered such as, including discharge planning in emergency rooms; training and oversight of discharge planners; gathering statistics to evaluate the program such as re-hospitalization numbers and follow-up protocols.