Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Introduction. Discharge planning with older adults is a complex process in which healthcare professionals are called to make recommendations that will have a significant impact on the lives of older adult clients. Within the context of current healthcare and political systems, competing role expectations can result in situations where there is no apparent "best" solution for discharge, leading to ethical challenges for healthcare professionals assisting older adult clients and families with discharge planning. Objectives. This paper follows an individual throughout his healthcare journey and examines the discharge planning options at each point. What are the policies shaping these options, and what are the implications for involved healthcare professionals? Method. A case study method is used to illustrate the intimate implications of policy on the lives of older adults who are admitted to inpatient healthcare services. Results/Practice implications. At each point in a healthcare journey, the options available for discharge will vary based on what matches the needs and wishes of the older adult on the journey. Quite often however there seems to be no option that will answer the challenge of balancing needs, wishes and healthcare mandates, which can lead to ethical challenges for healthcare professionals struggling to take a client-centered approach that balances clients' needs and wishes. This paper will illuminate the role of policy in shaping discharge planning processes and outcomes, and the resulting effects on practice. Conclusions. Policy has a much greater impact on clinical practice and on the lives of our clients than may at first glance be apparent.