The hospital says Mum can't go home. What happens now?

The call has come midweek. Mum has been in hospital after a fall. She's medically ready to leave. The team says she can't safely go home.

Then someone hands you a list of nursing homes.

And now you're stuck. The Sunday Telegraph recently told the story of Rita, whose 88-year-old mother has Alzheimer's and has been in Royal Prince Alfred since August. Rita spent four weeks ringing eight homes. Most were full or had long waitlists. Some never called back.

She has plenty of company. NSW Health modelling reported in the same article counted 1,063 older patients across the state waiting in hospital for aged care in August. By 2032 that's expected to pass 3,000. In the local health district covering Prince of Wales and St George hospitals, the number is forecast to roughly triple.

What the search involves

Finding a bed means more than making a few calls. You need homes that suit your parent's care needs, including dementia care if that's part of the picture. You need the right location and a budget that works. Then you need to get on waitlists and stay front of mind, because beds come up and fill fast.

There are tours, forms and fees to understand. For the financial side, an aged care financial adviser is worth talking to early.

All of this happens while you're visiting the hospital, working, and keeping the rest of the family informed. From overseas or interstate, it's harder again.

How I can help

I'm Jane. I spent 11.5 years looking after passengers in First and Business Class on Qantas international flights. Now I support families with ageing parents across the Eastern Suburbs and North Shore.

When your parent needs a nursing home bed, I take on the search. I ring the homes, follow up, keep the list moving, and send you regular updates so you always know where things stand.

Fee: $4,800 fixed.

Questions you may have

Isn't there free placement help?

Yes. Free services are usually paid by the homes when a resident moves in. I'm paid by you, so my only job is finding the right place for your parent.

Can't I ring the homes myself?

You can. The search rewards persistence, and it runs for weeks. I stay on the phone so you can stay with Mum.

I live overseas. Can you help from there?

I'm on the ground in Sydney. You get updates at a time that suits your time zone, and I can visit the homes and the hospital in person.

What if there are no beds nearby?

Beds are tight right now. I widen the search where it makes sense, keep your parent on the right waitlists, and stay in touch with the homes so they know you're ready. If the hospital team agrees your parent can go home with support while waiting, I can arrange live-in help for that stretch too.

If the hospital has started talking about a nursing home, call me +61 416 563 428.