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July 18, 2026BMC Health Services ResearchOpen Access

Delayed discharges in older adults with mental illness and/or dementia in hospital: a scoping review

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Population

Hospitalized older adults with a diagnosis of dementia and/or mental illness who experience delayed discharge

Design

Review

Key result

Delayed discharge is highly prevalent among hospitalized older adults with dementia and/or mental illness, with reported rates ranging from 24% to 64%, primarily due to a lack of appropriate discharge destinations.

Authors

SLStephanie LuccheseMNMelissa NorthwoodCMCarrie McAiney

Discussion

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Overview

Supports targeted discharge planning for high-risk older adults with dementia; leaves open prospective trials of care-continuity interventions.

Key Points

  • The review aims to explore the impact of delayed discharge on older adults (65+) with dementia and/or mental illness.
  • Followed Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework for scoping reviews.
  • Conducted comprehensive literature searches across multiple databases including Medline and PsycINFO.
  • Included studies focusing on hospitalized older adults with delayed discharge and relevant diagnoses.
  • Identified key risk factors for delayed discharge as age (79+), cognitive impairment, and lack of continuity of care.
  • Most reported delays were due to unavailable appropriate discharge destinations, such as long-term care homes.
  • Highlighted the distress caused to both older adults and care partners, emphasizing the need for better discharge planning.

Study Design

Type

Systematic Review (n=12)

Structured PICO

P
Population
A scoping review of 11 articles and 1 grey literature report examining the prevalence, characteristics, and impacts of delayed hospital discharges among older adults aged 65 and over with dementia and/or mental illness.
O
Outcome
Risk factors, causes, and impacts of delayed discharge

Delayed discharge in older adults with mental illness or dementia is primarily driven by a lack of appropriate discharge destinations and continuity of care, highlighting the need for improved hospital-community collaboration.

Limitations

  • Limited research specifically examining delayed discharges among older adults with mental illness and/or dementia
  • Lack of detailed participant characteristics specific to older adults in existing studies

Cite This Study

Lucchese et al. (2026) conducted a systematic review in Delayed discharge in older adults with mental illness and/or dementia (n=12). Delayed hospital discharge vs. Timely discharge was evaluated on Proportion and characteristics of delayed discharge cases. Delayed discharge is highly prevalent among hospitalized older adults with dementia and/or mental illness, with reported rates ranging from 24% to 64%, primarily due to a lack of appropriate discharge destinations.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a5b39118167787360d24f20https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-15105-w
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Providing a disease management plan upon patient discharge from hospital. A Literature Review2025
  2. 2Barriers to Discharge for Nursing Home Residents With Serious Mental Illness2025 · 1 citations
  3. 3One Chance to Get it Right: Exploring Perspectives and Experiences in Care Home Discharge Decision‐Making in the Acute Hospital2025
  4. 4Identifying the determinants of hospital readmission in dementia patients – A retrospective cohort study using electronic healthcare records in England2026
  5. 5Discharge From Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities for Individuals With Mental Illness: A Scoping Review2026