Objective To explore the effect of applying a discharge planning service （DPs） to elderly patients with stoma and to provide references for clinical care. Methods A total of 170 patients were divided into 2 groups of 85 cases each per cluster randomization method. The control group received in-hospital routine care, while the intervention group was subjected to DPs. Results There were 75 cases in the control group and 77 cases in the intervention group completing the full study.The intervention group had higher readiness for discharge scores, self-care ability scores, and care dependency scores than the control group; the rates of pa-ying stoma clinic visits, unplanned readmissions and peristoma moisture-related skin lesions during the 3-month follow-up period in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P＜0.05). Conclusion Applying DPs to older patients with an intestinal stoma can improve their discharge readiness, enhance self-care, reduce care dependency and to some extent reduce stoma complications.This model reduces the rate of unplanned readmissions and stoma clinic visits of patients, and saves medical resources.