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18 May 2026
Stories
| Home Care
Given the choice, around 90 percent of Australians would prefer to receive end-of-life care at home with the right supports in place (Pinto et al 2024).
And yet, only 14 percent actually achieve this.
In part, this may be because many people don’t realise palliative care services can be delivered at home, with fees heavily subsidised by the government’s Support at Home program.
With the right care in place, palliative care at home can help you remain comfortable in familiar surroundings, while offering valuable respite and support to family and caregivers.
This Palliative Care Week, we’re helping answer some of the big questions around palliative care at home, including what it looks like day to day, who it’s for and when may be the right time to start the conversation.
As well as focusing on your physical comfort, palliative care is centred around your general wellbeing and quality of life. This means supporting you and your family to cope well, via a range of different services.
Palliative care is delivered by multidisciplinary teams, working to address every need that you and your family during this time, whether that’s physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Terrie, an end-of-life care facilitator for BaptistCare, shared:
“One of my clients wanted to be remembered for who she was, rather than for being unwell. With encouragement and tailored support from our care team, she relearned how to crochet and sew – something she hadn’t done for over twenty years due to her illness.
“She created a legacy box for her grandchildren, including handmade baby blankets and clothing for when they had their own children.”
Palliative home care teams usually include a range of professionals who can support you, such as:
Many people assume that palliative care is only appropriate at the very end of life. In fact, starting it earlier (as soon as possible after diagnosis) usually has better outcomes for you and their family. It means that your pain relief and symptoms can be managed well from the start.
When you receive support early on, you’re more likely to remain comfortable for longer, feel informed about what lies ahead, and avoid crisis-driven decisions. Particularly for caregivers, this also means less likelihood of becoming exhausted and burnt out.
Palliative care supports your family and caregivers just as much as it supports you.
Offering regular opportunities for respite, palliative care teams enable caregivers to rest, recharge, and feel less alone. Whether that means taking time to shower, having a nap, or simply enjoying a cup of tea and a chat.
Care teams also help your family to understand the natural stages of dying, which can ease fear and uncertainty.
“When one of our recent clients passed away, we continued to provide close support to his partner. We helped her to navigate My Aged Care, understand her options, and put practical supports in place. It’s this continuity of care that helps people to feel less isolated at what is already an overwhelming time.” – Terrie, BaptistCare End-of-life Care Facilitator.
Palliative care is often mistaken for end-of-life care, when in fact, it is not limited to days or weeks. Many people receive palliative care for months or even years, alongside other treatments.
End-of-life care is one phase of the palliative care journey. It usually involves more intensive support to manage symptoms such as pain, breathlessness or anxiety, and to ensure a natural and dignified death in line with the person’s wishes.
Having open conversations with your care team early on can help clarify this distinction and reduce unnecessary fear.
When it comes to palliative care, open communication changes everything. Sharing your values, preferences and wishes allows you to remain in control of your care - even if there comes a point later down the line where you are unable to speak for yourself.
Advance Care Planning is a document that formally records your wishes in this way – it guides your decisions around future health care and gives your family guidance and reassurance during difficult moments.
Your Advance Care Plan is not fixed and only comes into play once you are unable to speak for yourself – up until that time you can override it any point. It can also evolve as circumstances change, ensuring that your care always reflects what matters to you most at that time.
For more than 110 years, BaptistCare has supported people and communities with care, connection and practical support. Guided by our Christian identity, our focus is simple: helping people find new ways to live better.
As a BaptistCare client, our team won’t just support you - they’ll become part of your trusted circle, helping you stay connected to your community and keep doing the things you enjoy.
As your needs change over time, your care will change with you. With BaptistCare, you can feel confident you’ll always have the right support in place to help you live life on your terms.
If you would like to know more about BaptistCare’s home care services, our friendly team are here to help you.
Please call us via either of the numbers below or email us at ask@baptistcare.org.au
1300 275 227 (NSW, ACT & WA)
13 22 78 (VIC & TAS)
