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End-of-life care - help for families, friends and carers
- How much will it cost?
- You are an important link
- What will happen in the last stages of a person's life?
- Why do I feel this way?
- What is grief counselling?
- More practical help for carers
- Programs for end-of-life care
- Read more
How much will it cost?
Many people want to know how much palliative care (more information) will cost, so the information below could help.- palliative care services are generally free through Medicare. The palliative care service in your area will be able to advise you about this
- more medicines are now available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
- Medicare usually covers public hospital and hospice fees
- fees for private patients are usually covered by private health insurance - your health insurance fund will be able to advise you about this
- you may be asked to pay for the hire of equipment for use at home, such as special beds, wheelchairs or commodes
- you may be required to pay for the cost of medication and supplies, and
- carers may be able to get some medicines or supplies through their hospital, but this will vary between each state and territory.
You are an important link
When you're caring for someone in palliative care, your aim is to help improve their quality of life through emotional and physical support. You will also become an important link between the person you're caring for and the palliative care staff.As you have first-hand knowledge of the person you're caring for, you're more likely to know:
- how they may think and feel in certain situations
- their allergies and reactions to foods or medications
- their wishes about comfort, pain relief and treatment
- whether they'd prefer care at home, or in a hospital or hospice, and
- the nature and types of support needed.
For example, there are various types of pain relief to make a person more comfortable.
In fact, in almost all cases, pain relief can be achieved by using a range of medication, as well as massage, meditation, aromatherapy, acupuncture and radiotherapy.
What will happen in the last stages of the person's life?
Many people worry about what to expect in the last stages of a person's life. You might feel embarrassed, uncomfortable or frightened to ask for details. Remember that it's normal to feel this way. Palliative care workers understand how you're feeling and if you wish you can talk to a palliative care worker or ask for written information about some of the things that might happen.Why do I feel this way?
It's normal to experience mixed emotions when caring for someone needing palliative care. For example:- you may feel both sadness and relief at the same time
- you may feel guilt and anger
- you may have a feeling of helplessness
- it may be difficult to deal with other people's advice as to what you should be doing
- you may be trying to support others who are also grieving
- you may be worried about your own feelings about dying
- you may be trying to cope with the feelings of the person you're caring for
- you may be feeling tired and unable to cope, and
- you may be wishing the end would come quickly, and then feeling guilty for thinking that way.
Here are some tips from other carers that you may find helpful:
- focus on what you can do rather than what you can't
- recognise when you need help
- allow relatives, friends, neighbours and palliative care volunteers to help
- share your anxiety or concerns with someone you trust
- try to have some short breaks
- make some time for yourself each day, even if only for a few minutes
- have some plans in place to make it easier to cope through bad times
- do some form of exercise, even simply deep breathing
- try writing about how you're feeling or explore other safe ways to release anger blame or resentment, and
- crying can also help.
What is grief counselling?
When someone close to you dies you may have trouble coping with the intense feelings of grief, or you may feel isolated or confused. Some people find it helpful to talk about these feelings with someone from outside their family or friends.Grief counselling focuses on helping you to understand your grief and to adjust to life after your loss. It can also help you to understand the people around you, who may be expressing their grief in different ways. Grief counsellors can also put you in touch with other services in your area that may be able to help.
You can get the names of local grief counsellors from your Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre (more information) by calling 1800 052 222.
More practical information for carers
You may also wish to look at the carers section of our website, which has specific information on how to access palliative care, how to make a palliative care plan and tips on palliative care from other carers who have gone through similar experiences.Read more: End-of-life care
Programs for end-of-life care
Another part of our website has lots of information for carers on community care services such as home help, palliative care equipment you can borrow and support networks specifically for carers.Read more: Programs for end-of-life care
Read more
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 contact your Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222 for further information, or to talk to a social worker at your hospital or hospice.Read more: End-of-life care resources
