The reclassification of elderly people following admission to residential aged care

Objectives: To determine the incidence of, and factors associated with, the reclassification of level of care needs of older people following admission to a residential aged care facility (RACF) in Tasmania. Method: Focus group discussions with 11 Directors of Nursing of RACFs were conducted to inform the development of a questionnaire, which was administered to all residential aged care providers in the State. Results: More than 10% of elderly people admitted to a RACF in Tasmania are subject to a reclassification from high to low care or vice versa within 60 days of admission. The study also revealed a number of variables associated with reclassification. Conclusions: Reclassification of residents is often considered to be a ‘significant problem’. To reduce the incidence of reclassification many RACFs conduct their own assessments. Dementia, admission of hospital inpatients and greater than 6 months since an ACAT assessment represent the key predictors of reclassification.