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Programs for palliative care
Some families have the responsibility of caring for someone dying at home, and it’s not easy. This includes difficulty with knowing where to go for help, how to make informed decisions about medications and other interventions, lack of coordination in the services available, lack of respite care, and financial hardships. Here are some of the programs that you may wish to know about, as they’ll help you and the person you’re caring for maintain quality of life.
- Services to help
- Community care services
- Aged care homes
- Palliative care equipment
- Short-term care
- Carers Australia
- Carer information
- Carer support groups
- Getting financial help
- Help with translation
- Find out more about local services
Services to help
Palliative care is flexible and can be provided at home with the support of community-based services or in a hospital or hospice (more information). Each option is equally appropriate according to the needs of the individual and their family.For more information on aged care call 1800 200 422. You could also visit the Palliative Care Australia website. They have a list of member organisations in each state and territory that may be able to help.
Community care services
There are an increasing number of services available to help older Australians receive their care at home, but these vary from area to area. These include everything from community nursing, domestic help, personal care and home modifications to meal services, allied health, transport services and more.Read more: About what services are available
Aged care homes
Palliative care is also offered in aged care homes. In fact, the palliative care approach provided by some aged care homes reduces the need to move residents to other locations such as a hospital or hospice. We’ve devoted a section of our website to palliative care in aged care homes, should you be interested.Read more: About palliative care in aged care homes
Palliative care equipment
Families and carers of people who wish to die at home can be loaned equipment, such as a hospital bed. Access to this equipment is making a real difference to the quality of life and independence of those being cared for at home. For more information about how the equipment can be accessed contact Palliative Care Australia on (02) 6232 4433 or their member associations in each state or territory.Short-term care
Many people prefer to have their last days at home because their surroundings are familiar and more comfortable. As families provide so much emotional support, support for them is critical, too. Phone 1800 200 422 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059.Carer information
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres located across Australia are a one-stop shop providing a link to a wide range of community, aged care and support services available locally or anywhere in Australia. Centres provide information about services for older people, people with a disability, and those who provide care and services, and can also assist carers with options to take a break through short-term and emergency respite services, based on assessed need. Centres provide advice on and coordinate access to respite services in a carer’s local area.Call 1800 200 422 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours on 1800 059 059.
Carer support groups
Carer support groups provide emotional support to carers, and are sometimes organised around specific conditions. Call 1800 200 422 for information about these groups in your area and refer you to other organisations like the Alzheimer’s Australia or Multiple Sclerosis Society that also offer support.Carers Australia
Carers Australia represents carers of people with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or those who are frail or aged. It also provides information, support, education, training and counselling.National Carer Counselling Program (NCCP)
The National Carer Counselling Program provides short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers. This aims to help reduce carer stress, improve carer coping skills and facilitate, wherever possible, continuation of the caring role. The NCCP is delivered through the Network of Carer Associations in each state and territory.Getting financial help
To find out if you are eligible for financial assistance, contact:- a Centrelink office on 13 27 17
- the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 13 32 54.
- a financial adviser
- your doctor, or
- any health professional associated with your care.
Help with translation
If you need communication assistance in a language other than English, you can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)on 13 14 50 (for the cost of a local call).There is a lot of material that you can read about palliative care. One section of our website has plenty of information that you can download for free. You can also talk to a social worker at your hospital or hospice.
Read more: About resources for palliative care
Find out more about local services
To find out more about palliative care resources, such as fact sheets and booklets, you can contact Palliative Care Australia.For more information on palliative care services you may also like to talk to your local doctor or community nurse.