Palliative Care for Older People

Learn more about St Vincent's Palliative Care

Our Palliative Care Approach | Palliative Care Locations

St Vincent's Approach to Palliative Care

St Vincent's' palliative care program is a planned approach to end of life that makes sure that your loved one's passing is treated with proper planning, care and respect.

The 5 key areas of St Vincent's End-Of-Life Care 

Palliative care is a difficult time for you and your loved one, which is why we at St Vincent’s are here to support you in every way we can.

One of the ways we do this is by creating a holistic plan of care for anyone who may be approaching the end-of-life.

Since it is our mission to provide patients with the highest level of compassion and care, we are committed to completing all areas of this plan to make the experience as comfortable as possible for you.

1. Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Plan involves planning for future and final health care and it enables you or those closest to you to make decisions about the health care you would or would not like to receive when you are seriously ill and unable to communicate your preferences or make treatment decisions. Ideally, advance care planning will or has resulted in the preferences of the resident being documented in a plan known as an Advance Care Directive and the appointment of a substitute decision-maker to help ensure that their preferences are respected.

Action you should take: We suggest that you try to establish, at the earliest practical opportunity, if your loved one has at some stage completed an Advance Care Plan, locate it and provide it to St Vincent’s Care Services staff.

2. Communication

We understand that communication is an essential part of end-of-life care, which is why we want to ensure that everybody involved (you, your loved one, our staff) are kept closely updated and informed about your loved one’s condition.

We also record your family/support network contact details and Palliative Care Specialist details (if applicable) to always ensure clear communication and decision-making.

Whether you're a friend or family, we'll keep you informed every step of the way

 

 3. Assessments

St Vincent’s makes sure that we take a holistic approach to meeting every resident’s needs.

We also record your family/support network contact details and Palliative Care Specialist details (if applicable) to always ensure clear communication and decision-making.

This includes:

Spiritual Needs – We recognise that spiritual care is a central part of end-of-life care. This is why our staff are specifically trained to support your loved one’s faith, culture, beliefs, and traditions in a way that is personally meaningful to them.

Pastoral Needs – We recognise that pastoral care is about the overall emotional and spiritual well-being of a person and doesn’t always have to be connected to any particular religion or beliefs. Our pastoral care practitioners are here to respect and support the person’s belief systems and practices as they wish, providing comfort and empathy as needed.

Emotional Needs – We are well aware that emotional distress and non-specific psychological symptoms are common while undergoing palliative care. We will assess and address any issues that may be confronting or distressing your loved one. This may include anxiety, depression, or any other mental struggles they may be experiencing.

Cultural Needs – We are always here to support a person’s individual cultural, linguistic, and spiritual needs and preferences. St Vincent’s Care believes that all our patients have the right to an inclusive, respectful, and culturally safe palliative care experience.

Symptom Management Needs – We will always be there to manage and help alleviate any physical symptoms your loved may be experiencing; whether that’s pain, shortness of breath, delirium, nausea/vomiting, changes to continence habits, changes to nutrition/hydration needs, dry mouth, increased need for eye care, and weakening skin condition.

4. Comfort Needs & Preferences

We make sure that we record all of your loved one’s comfort needs and preferences, in order to make them feel at ease, as much as we can possibly manage. You and your loved one will have the opportunity to let us know what those comfort needs and preferences are at any time.

5. Equipment

We want to make sure your loved one has everything they need during their palliative care stage. If there are any specific items (e.g. personal care items, radio, etc.) that would help make them feel at-home and help to cope with the situation, we’ll always make sure they’re provided.

Additionally, if you will be spending time with them at the facility, we can also provide you with any necessary equipment you may need (e.g. pillows, fold-up beds, etc.). All you need to do is ask.

Read more:

• The 3 stages of dying in palliative care
• What Happens After a Someone Dies in Aged Care? [7 Stages]

What about palliative care at home?

The St Vincent’s Community Specialist Palliative Care Service provides comprehensive, specialised care to people with life-limiting illnesses. We offer 24-hour consultancy support and advice to help patients live at home for as long and comfortably as possible.

We'll support you to be where you're most comfortable whether that's in home or in the care of a hospital setting (or both!)

 

The community service consists of specialist clinical nurses and doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and counsellors. Our team works closely with community General Practitioners, St Vincent’s hospital team, domiciliary nurses and social services to ensure continuity of care.

After initial assessment and development of a patient’s care plan, follow-up consultations will monitor patient progress and help them to remain at home within the comfort of familiar surroundings. If there is a change in condition, the care plan will be modified to meet your needs. 

Who is in a St Vincent’s Palliative Care team?

St Vincent's Palliative Care teams can be made up of a range of professionals such as:

• Your GP
• Aged care workers
• Cardiologist
• Oncologist
• Other healthcare provider
• Family and other carers

Your Palliative Care team are supported by specialist Palliative Care services should symptoms become difficult to manage.

St Vincent's Locations for Palliative Care in Australia

St Vincent's has aged care, home care and hospital locations throughout Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.