Palliative Care for Community
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is person and family-centred care provided for a person living with a life-limiting disease and their families for whom the primary goal is to optimise the quality of life.
Palliative care identifies and treats symptoms which may be physical, emotional, spiritual or social. Because palliative care is based on individual needs, the services offered will differ but may include:
Relief of pain and other symptoms e.g. vomiting, shortness of breath
Equipment needed to aid care at home
Planning for future medical treatment decisions and goals of care
Links to other services such as home help and financial support
Support for people to meet cultural or spiritual obligations
Counselling and grief support
Referrals and respite care services
Palliative care support is available in the region at home, in care facilities, or in the hospital. Palliative care strives to recognise the culture, beliefs, and practices of patients which informs their values, meaning making and expectations of end of life.
General information and resources about palliative care have been divided into four sections roughly aligning with the palliative care journey. Speak to your healthcare professional for more information.
After diagnosis with a life limiting illness
Needing assistance
Preparing for end of life
After death
After diagnosis with a life limiting illness
Early referral to palliative care can often prolong life and supports a better quality of life. People may be referred to palliative care while still undergoing treatment to extend life.
Needing assistance
The progression of a life limiting illness may vary at times which may mean additional practical assistance is required. There are a lot of resources available to provide help but you may not know that they even exist. Getting extra help doesn’t mean ‘giving up’ or that carers can’t provide care.
Preparing for end of life
There are choices available to you about what happens at end of life and the place that you feel most comfortable to die. Discuss your end of life wishes with your family/family of choice and your health care team.
After death
Grief is a natural response to any loss. That loss might be a death, or it might be for the loss of the person as you knew them. If you’re grieving, remember that you’re not alone and help is available.
Grief is an individual experience, and there is no right way or set time to grieve. Even if the death was expected, you may still feel sad, fearful or panicky. It’s also normal to feel relief, or to feel no emotions at all. There is no right or wrong way to feel. (Carer Gateway 2024)
