Preparing the elderly for discharge from hospital: a neglected aspect of patient care?

People aged 65 years and over are the largest consumer group of hospital care, and an important element of their treatment is the transfer back into the community. Preparation and planning for discharge is, therefore, an integral aspect of the care of older people in hospital. This study used a random sample of people aged 65 and over discharged from hospitals throughout Wales to investigate, by the use of a postal questionnaire, the preparation they had received for their discharge whilst in hospital. Preparation for discharge was defined as length of notice of impending discharge and discussions with staff about their return home. A response rate of over 80% was obtained to the questionnaire. Thirty-nine per cent of the sample were given less than 24 h notice of discharge and less than 50% reported that a member of the hospital staff discussed their discharge/return home with them whilst in hospital. Discharge planning/preparation was very much better amongst patients seen in geriatric medicine compared with those seen in other specialties. It is concluded that, with the exception of geriatric medicine, discharge planning for the elderly remains a very neglected aspect of patient care.