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.

End of life care

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. THINKING ABOUT PLANNING AHEAD?

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

Definition of terms 24 Hour On Site Supervision – A person(s) who is/are employed to live in or in close vicinity of a retirement village and will respond to requests for assistance when regular staff are off duty. Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) – Assess and approve older people for Australian Government subsidised aged care services. Aged Care On Site – The retirement village has an aged care facility at the same location. ATSI – Services offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older aged people and their carers. Booked Respite Beds – Taking a break from your role as carer, it’s advisable to book a respite bed in advance. Prior assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team required. CALD – Services offered to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse older aged people and their carers. Care Community (CC) – Private self-contained accommodation run by approved providers where you can access 24/7 care through Government funded Home Care Packages, as a genuine alternative to a nursing home. Care Plan – Developed by the service providing your care and outlines care needs and instructions on how these needs will be met. Carer Gateway – This online resource and helpline provides support by linking carers to information, counselling, respite and other services. Centre Based Care (CBC) – Services, respite and activities for social and recreational independence in a ‘centre setting’ for aged/frail clients and their carers. CHSP Funded – An in home or centre based care service funded by the Commonwealth Home Support Programme Government initiative. Communal facilities – Shared facilities for residents such as community hall, swimming pool or bowling green Consumer Directed Care (CDC) – Allows you to control the types of care you access, how it is delivered and who provides that care. All home care packages are delivered on a CDC basis. Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) – This is a daily payment to a Government funded aged care facility, paid periodically for example monthly. This is not a refundable payment. Day Therapy Centre (DTC) – Allied health/therapy services to develop or maintain physical and psychological independence in a ‘centre setting’, provided to aged/frail clients and their carers. Includes clients with dementia and disabilities. Dementia Services – Services offered to clients with dementia and/or challenging behaviours, as well as their carers. Domestic Assistance – Help washing of clothes, dishes, floors, wet areas, ironing, minor meal preparation, vacuuming, changing bed linen, dusting, cleaning living areas. Donor Funded – The purchase price, or entry contribution, of a dwelling by a resident in a retirement village, may be subsidised by a not-for-profit organisation. Extra Services Beds/Places – Places at an aged care facility for which residents receive a higher standard of accommodation, food and services for an additional charge. Home Maintenance/Gardening – Assistance with replacement of tap washers, light globes, minor weeding/pruning, sweeping of outdoor areas, minor carpentry repairs and gutter cleaning. May include window cleaning. Independent Living Unit (ILU) – Sometimes referred to as a villa or apartment and located in a retirement village. LGBTIQ – Some aged care services offer specific care to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning residents. Meals &/or Shopping – Delivery of daily cooked or frozen ready-to-eat meals, or transport to the shops and assistance provided, or having someone to do the shopping. (CBC – meals or light refreshments provided at the centres). Medication Supervision – Service provider attends the client’s home daily to assist in dispensing medication. Multi Purpose Service (MPS) – Located in centre settings and some residential aged care facilities. They deliver a mix of aged care, health and community services. NESB – Services offered to Non English Speaking Background older aged people and their carers. Nursing &/or Palliative Care – Registered or Enrolled Nurses visiting the home to dispense medication, wound management, convalescent care, pain management and palliative care. Personal Care – Assistance with personal hygiene, washing, showering, bathing, dressing, feeding and toiletting. (CBC – personal care offered while client is at the centre.) Pharmaceutical Deliveries – The delivery of medications by a service provider directly to the client or older person's home. RAD/DAP Combination – This includes both partial lump sum and daily payments for aged care accommodation. Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) – This is paid as a lump sum when entering a Government funded aged care facility and refunded, minus agreed deductions, when leaving the facility. Regional Assessment Service (RAS) – In home assessments of new and existing clients/carers for CHSP services. Rental Accommodation (RA) – Villas, units or ILUs available for rent in a retirement village. Resident Funded/Licence to Occupy/Purchase – Residents purchase a loan/licence agreement for a dwelling in a retirement village, or purchase on a freehold basis. Respite Care – Services provided so a client or their carer can take a break from their daily routine. Includes care in the client’s home, at a day centre or in an aged care facility. Retirement Living (RL) – The site has retirement living accommodation. Secure Dementia Unit – Secure specialised ward, wing or unit for people with dementia and/or challenging behaviours. Service Fee – A fee to cover the services offered by a retirement village, including maintenance, improvements, utilities and council rates etc. Serviced Apartment – Usually one or two bedrooms and provides residents with some domestic and ‘hotel-like’ services such as cleaning, laundry, and personal care. Services may be provided on a fee for service basis. Single Bedrooms with Ensuites – This facility offers (a number of) single bedrooms with attached bathroom. Might not be every room in the home. Small Pets Welcome – The site has a policy for residents enabling them to have small pets but it's dependent on the type, size and care needs. Social &/or Recreational Support – The client participates in social or recreational activities either in their home or at a community, day or recreational centre. Supported Residential Services (SRS) – Privately run aged care facility that provides similar accommodation and care to that of a Government funded facility but without the funding support. Supported & Assisted Living (SL) – Supported & assisted living communities offer accommodation and care to residents on a fee for service basis without Government funding. Transport – Organising or providing transport services such as bus, taxi, private car etc. (CBC – transport to and from the centre).