Based on early experiences with a rehabilitation program for older adults, the New Zealand government has decided to invest more money into home-based support services over the next four years. Under the Supported Transfer and Accelerated Rehabilitation Team (START) program, older patients in participating areas have access to home care and personalized rehabilitation services following a stay in the hospital or a visit to the emergency department. The care is delivered by teams of community and hospital specialist nurses. A randomized clinical trial of the program is under way, but early results suggest patients in the START program are recovering faster.
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