The role of aged care providers in helping people to achieve a good death will be the focus of this year’s National Palliative Care Week.
The annual awareness week organised by Palliative Care Australia will run from 21-28 May this year, under the theme: “You matter, your care matters. Palliative care can make a difference”.
Information and activities throughout the week will be aimed at residential and community care providers, as well as educating consumers about discussing their end-of-life care wishes with loved ones.
“There are over 350,000 Australians cared for by aged care providers. Maximising their quality of life and ensuring a good death for these people is important.”
“Our message this National Palliative Care Week is that palliative care can be provided to people receiving aged care services, which can help manage their symptoms to improve their quality of life,” Ms Callaghan said.
Members of the community also need to be proactive in asking aged care providers about the end-of-life care available within their service.
“People should ask whether they make palliative care available within their service and if they support advance care planning. It’s also important to know what strategies they have in place to deliver care that aligns with the needs and wants of the individual,” Ms Callaghan said.
People entering aged care need to be able to talk with their loved ones and health team about their end-of-life wishes and have a plan for when they need palliative care support.
“We recognise that aged care providers are faced with having to respond to complex needs in a person centred way. This includes people with dementia, people with complex chronic conditions, and people approaching the end of life.”
“There are many providers of aged care services that work hard to respond to these complexities, providing quality care at the end of life.”
“PCA will use this year’s National Palliative Care Week to thank those aged care providers delivering high quality, person-centred care at the end of life.”
“The week will also acknowledge those palliative care providers, community groups and other care providers that work with people who deliver services to aged Australians to support them in this important work,” Ms Callaghan said.
