It aims to alleviate pain and suffering and to integrate medical with spiritual, emotional and psychological aspects of care for the dying person and their family.
Palliative care can be provided in private or public hospitals, hospices, residential aged-care facilities and a person’s home by a number of different health professionals who often work together in teams. These include:
Palliative care can greatly improve how a person lives with and ultimately dies from, their illness. It can also offer families and those who are caring vital emotional and practical support. The World Health Organization’s definition states that palliative care:
Palliative care may begin at any time following a diagnosis – it’s never too soon to make contact with your local service. Early, and even late, the involvement of the palliative care team is strongly recommended. In fact, research tells us that palliative care enhances and, in some cases, prolongs life.
If the person you are caring for is in the hospital and you’re planning to bring them home, it is important that a referral is made to the local palliative care service before they are discharged; this can be done by either the hospital doctor or the person’s GP. Community palliative care services can provide support through home visits. If the person you are caring for is well enough to get around on their own, they may also visit specialist palliative care clinics as an outpatient.
Ask your GP, the hospital doctor or a member of the hospital’s multidisciplinary team (nurse, social worker etc.) for more information on how to access palliative care services. Palliative Care Australia (PCA), the national peak body for palliative care, provides information and resources (including online training) for carers, families and those receiving palliative care throughout Australia. Go to www.palliativecare.org.au or call (02) 6232 0700 – support is also available after hours on 1800 548 225. A directory of services can be found on the website of the PCA member organisation in your state or territory:
NSW – Palliative Care NSW
(02) 9206 2094 / 0403 699 491
info@palliativecarensw.org.au
SA – Palliative Care South Australia
(08) 8271 1643
pallcare@pallcare.asn.au
QLD – Palliative Care Queensland
(07) 3511 1539
hello@palliativecareqld.org.au
VIC – Palliative Care Victoria
(03) 9662 9644
info@pallcarevic.asn.au
WA – Palliative Care WA
1300 551 704
pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au
TAS – Palliative Care Tasmania
(03) 6231 2799
admin@tahpc.org.au
ACT – Palliative Care ACT
(02) 6255 5771
office@pallcareact.org.au
NT – Palliative Care Northern Territory
(08) 8951 6762