Working in aged care
Supporting the aged care workforce in providing palliative care
Palliative care services can be provided in the home, in communitty-based settings like nursing homes, palliative care units, and in hospitals. People who are dying need to be able to move freely between these places in response to their medical care and support needs.
The pattern of care will be different for every individual, and may depend on factors like: geography, services in an area, and the needs and desires of the person, family members and friends.
Education, training and support for the workforce
The National Palliative Care Program includes provision for improving the clinical skills and knowledge of health professionals in palliative care in a variety of care settings.Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach
Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach aims to improve the quality, availability and access to palliative care for people who are dying, and their families, by improving the skills and expertise of health practitioners and enhancing collaboration between service providers.The Program includes education and training for aged care workers who care for people with life-limiting conditions and who want to increase your skills in the palliative approach to care.Top of page
CareSearch
CareSearch provides online resources of palliative care information and evidence, with all materials included reviewed for quality and relevance. The website has been funded by the Australian Government as part of the National Palliative Care Program.- CareSearch includes resources specifically for health and aged care professionals
- A Nurses Hub is available.
Related links
- Palliative Care Australia — Palliative Care Australia is an incorporated body whose members are the eight state and territory palliative care associations and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine. The membership of those associations includes palliative care service providers, clinicians, allied health professionals, academics, consumers and members of the general community.
- Useful links are available relating to palliative care.
- Useful links are available to resources for residential aged care. See in particular Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Care (2006)
- Web-based modules for online teaching resources in palliative care are available that are relevant to an aged care setting
