Grandfather dies after 312 days in hospital because no aged care place would take him
A successful businessman died after spending nearly a year confined to a hospital ward because no nursing home would accept him, leaving his family devastated.
A family who endured the nightmare of having their beloved patriarch in a public hospital short stay unit for 312 days – then five weeks at the Coroner’s after his death linked to an hospital accident – hopes no other family “has to go through the hell he experienced”.
Severino “Sev” Priori migrated from Italy to Australia aged eight, and through hard work and determination built a successful real estate and land development business.
A loving family man, he married Gabriella and they had children Tim and Sonya, and grandchildren Jordan and Lily.
But in hospital, he “went from being a strong upright standing man to a hunched over, shrivelled weakling,” his daughter Sonya Belperio said.
The family has warmly praised medical staff who became like family during his long stay and have chosen not to name the hospital to protect them, but they say system-wide changes are needed.
Mr Priori suffered dementia and was admitted to hospital on November 14 last year after an incident involving a neighbour, when his condition had changed him from an optimistic, positive grandfather to a more unsettled man.
The family says he was medically ready for discharge, and was calmed by medication, but no nursing home would take him so he was stuck in the limbo of – ironically – the short stay unit.
“By the time of his death he had been living at the hospital for a total of 312 days,” Mrs Belperio said.
“The staff did their best and looked after him well, however he did not see sunshine or breathe fresh air for 312 days which is incredibly important for dementia patients.
“This was because the staff were worried he might try and escape. He existed in the stark fluorescent corridors of the ward, with very little stimulation.
“No aged care facility would take on his complex needs. Weeks turned into months and Dad died waiting to be moved on.”
Mr Priori’s death on September 18, aged 83, was linked to a choking incident, but he was not buried until October 24 due to a Coroner’s investigation, adding to the family’s anguish.
Mrs Belperio praised nursing staff, noting kind touches such as providing Mr Priori with laminated “play” money to calm his anxiety about not having any cash.
“The whole of the past year has been horrific for our family but is nothing compared to what Dad went through,” Mrs Belperio said.
“I hope no one else has to go through the hell he experienced, but unfortunately others will due to staffing issues and lack of suitable aged care accommodation.”
Around 60 such patients have spent more than 100 days stuck in Adelaide metropolitan hospitals despite being medically cleared for discharge.
They include a woman who has spent 1052 days in hospital and referred to more than 60 aged care homes with no placement offers, and a man who has spent 357 days in hospital, referred to more than 30 aged care homes without success.
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Originally published as Grandfather dies after 312 days in hospital because no aged care place would take him
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