The World Health Organisation describes palliative care as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness. Autumn Aged Care believes that when it comes to palliative care, the prevention and relief of suffering can be achieved by means of early identification and comprehensive assessment and treatment of pain. This methodology can also allow us to relieve the suffering of further problems of a physical, psycho-social and spiritual nature.

We follow the palliative approach and aim to improve the quality of life for residents with life-limiting illnesses and to support their families. The focus of a palliative approach is on comfort and maintaining or improving quality of life so that residents can live as well as possible until they die in an atmosphere of care and support.

Our nursing and care staff receive regular education and training to ensure our palliative care services are of high quality and holistically centered on the resident’s individual needs.

Palliative care identifies and treats symptoms which may be physical, emotional, spiritual or social. Because palliative care is based on individual needs, the services offered will differ but may include:

• Relief of pain and other symptoms e.g. shortness of breath
• Consultation with residents and care representatives
• Maintenance of dignity, choices and preferences
• Advanced Care Directives. An advance care directive is an important part of your end-of-
  life care. An advance care directive formalizes your advance care plan. The directive can
  contain all your needs, values and preferences for your future care and details of a
  substitute decision-maker.
• Resources such as equipment needed to aid care
• Assistance for families to come together to talk about sensitive issues
• Links to other specialists’ services e.g. gerontologist
• Support for people to meet cultural obligations
• Support for emotional, social, religious and spiritual concerns
• Counselling and grief support
• Referrals to respite care services

Our palliative care service is a family-centered model of care, meaning that family and
carers can receive practical and emotional support.

For further information regarding Palliative Care please ask one our staff members or find further
information and resources below,

https://palliativecare.org.au