Palliative Care in Aged Care
The North and West Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium believes high-quality end of life care relies on open communication, informed decision making and collaboration among health care providers, residents, families and carers.
This section provides a range of useful information and resources to support those working in Residential Aged Care and those providing support to these residents. This information aligns with the Victorian End of Life Care Framework developed by the Victorian Department of Health.
Palliative Care Australia highlighted the urgent need for palliative care to be considered as core business in aged care. Check out the media release from their Board Chair, Dr Jane Fischer who appeared as a witness at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The final report from the Royal Commission, with all recommendations relating to palliative care in aged care can be found here. Recommendations number 2, 19, 35, 37, 58, 69, 70, 79, 80, 93, 114 and 118 all have specific implications for palliative care in aged care.
Helpful information and links for Standard 5.7 Palliative Care and end-of-life care
The new Aged Care Quality Standards have specified expectations in relation to palliative and end of life care for aged care residents. The new standards recognise palliative and end-of-life care as core business for residential aged care.
Check out these helpful links:
- Standard 5.7 describes the outcomes to be achieved.
- Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission regarding the Clinical Care Standard which includes Palliative and End of life Care.
- palliAGED mapped resources to prepare for the transition at Outcome 5.7: Evidence, education and clinical resources mapping.
- ELDAC resources:
- PCAS practical information fact sheet is available for download at the website.
- PACOP summary mapping actions to the Aged Care Quality Standards PACOP & Mapping to Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS) – PACOP HUB