WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2021
AgedCareGuide.com.au
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End of life care
End of life care
Whether you live in your own home or in a residential aged care home, when the end of life approaches you may require additional support. The primary goal of palliative care is to provide supportive care and improve the patient’s quality of life by addressing any painful or distressing symptoms.
Services to help at home
Services that may help you to stay in the comfort of your own home can include:
a qualified nurse to dress a wound or provide continence advice; household jobs like cleaning, clothes washing and ironing; help with bathing or showering, dressing, hair care and toileting; meals and other food services; helping to travel to shopping centres or appointments.
Palliative care in a nursing home
The Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care outline three forms of palliative care in residential aged care:
A palliative approach – To improve the quality of life for residents with a life limiting illness.
Specialised palliative service provision – This form of palliative care involves referral to a specialised palliative team or health care practitioner.
End of life (terminal) care – This form of palliative care
is appropriate when the resident is in the final days or weeks of life and care decisions may need to be reviewed more frequently.
Residents with dementia
Palliative care for residents living with dementia often requires a different approach than palliative care for people with a terminal condition, as the process can take place over a longer period of time. Declining cognition can mean that a dying person with dementia is unlikely to have the capacity to make decisions, and communicate their wishes regarding care. These decisions must be made much earlier in the course of dementia than for other illnesses, or alternatively, must be made by proxies on behalf of the dying person.
Family and friends
Providing end of life care can be particularly intense for family and carers, supporting a patient’s needs. Palliative care not only supports patients, but also their friends and families. For more information about palliative care services talk to your GP or contact your community health centre.
T HINK IN G A B OU T P L A NNIN G A HE A D? Today we are encouraged to plan ahead. Pre-planning your funeral gives you assurance that your choices will be acted upon. Pre-paying your funeral gives you a fixed price, so your family won’t be faced with the burden of any increases to these costs. Feel true peace of mind, knowing that the emotional and financial stress of arranging your funeral will be taken care of. Seniors Card members receive $250* off the total cost of the Pre-Paid Plan.
For details, call us on 9231 5100 or visit bowraodea.com.au *T’s & C’s Apply
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