Palliative Care Victoria

The provision of palliative care to the older person creates particular needs and challenges. Older people are more commonly affected by multiple comorbidities. Minor problems may have a greater psychological impact and the effect of these may be greater than that of any single disease.The aged are at greater risk of adverse drug reactions and can suffer the additional problems of mental impairment, economic and social isolation.

Specific resources, guidelines and tools may assist in the delivery of palliative care in residential aged care settings.

Resources

Evidence-based guidelines are available to provide support and guidance for the delivery of a palliative approach in residential aged care facilities. Order the Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care and view the evidence tables used to support the development of these guidelines.

Palliative Care Australia has the latest national palliative care aged care documents and training materials.

Other Resources include important policy documents, extensive reference lists and information sheets. Also refer to Advanced care planning.

Palliative Care Victoria supports a Palliative Care in Aged Care Special Interest Group

A Good Death in Residential Aged Care Project Feb 2010