The Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb has launched a resource pack aimed at improving the experience of hospital stays.
The Hospital 2 Home resource is designed to make it easier for health and social care professionals to support older patients returning home from hospital and reduce the risk of readmission.
Speaking at the National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCAS) today, Lamb said: "We recognise that any delay in being able to leave hospital after treatment is distressing for patients and costly to the NHS.
"People need to be able to return to a home that is safe, warm and meets their needs, and this is particularly important in the case of older people.
"In order to achieve this health, housing and social care must work in partnership."
The Hospital 2 Home resource contains information, advice, case studies and checklists to help health, housing and social care professionals provide care for older patients.
The resource aims to improve the hospital experience and returning home for both older patients and carers.
Hospital 2 Home was produced by a task group initiated by Care & Repair England, supported by the Department of Health and the Department for Communities and Local Government.