12 May 2025

Stories | Home Care

The week of 11-21 May 2025 is National Palliative Care Week, which presents an opportunity to reflect on palliative care at home.

Palliative care at home offers comfort and dignity for people with a life-limiting illness, while also supporting their family and carers.

A diagnosis of a life-limiting illness is extremely challenging for both you and your family. Many people think it means moving into a hospice or residential care facility immediately. But there is another way. If you want to stay in your home, in familiar surroundings, with the people who matter most to you, palliative care at home can help make it possible.

What is palliative care at home?

Palliative care at home is a specialised form of care designed to support people living at home with a life-limiting illness, physically, practically and emotionally.

It is provided by a team of caring professionals who work together to support you and your family and carers. This team usually includes nurses, care workers, allied health professionals and others. Their goal is to make you as comfortable as possible while staying in your own home.

How to access palliative care at home

Palliative care at home may be funded through a government Home Care Package.

If you do not already receive home care services, you will need to apply for an initial assessment through My Aged Care to see if you are eligible. More information about how to arrange an assessment is available here.

Even though you may only just have received a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, it is best to apply as soon as possible because there are often wait times for home care packages. Getting palliative care early can also make a real difference to you and your family. It means pain relief and symptom management can start sooner, helping you stay more comfortable from the beginning. It’s also beneficial for your family or carer, as they’re less likely to feel overwhelmed or burnt out when support is in place from the start.

If you already have a home care package, talk to your provider about needing palliative care at home.

You may need to be reassessed for a higher level Home Care Package through My Aged Care. You can find out more about how to manage your Home Care Package here.

What to expect from palliative care at home

Palliative care at home supports you in three essential ways – physically, practically and emotionally. BaptistCare at home teams provide personalised palliative care that’s thoughtfully tailored to your unique needs and preferences.

In an earlier article we outlined how to navigate palliative care at home. You can read it here.

The palliative care at home team

A palliative home care team will usually include registered nurses and palliative care consultant support services, care workers, allied health professionals, GPs, chaplains and others. Together, they provide holistic, compassionate support tailored to your physical, emotional, and practical needs. Here’s a closer look at how some of these professionals support you.

Nurses and palliative care consultant support services

BaptistCare palliative care Registered Nurses help you manage pain and symptoms, including administering medication and keeping track of its effects.

Our nurses also help with personal care tasks like mobility and hygiene, while coordinating with other healthcare professionals to make sure your care is holistic and personalised. They’re also there for you and your family, offering practical guidance and emotional support.

Palliative care consultant support services are Registered Nurses who are specialised in providing palliative care to support clients and families with the most complex needs.

By regularly assessing your needs, BaptistCare nurses help you stay as comfortable and supported as possible at home.

Care workers

BaptistCare palliative care workers provide practical assistance with everyday tasks like personal care, bathing, dressing and grooming, helping you maintain your routine with dignity.

Care workers also help with things like light housekeeping, meal preparation and mobility support, making daily life a little easier.

Depending on your needs, you may have different care workers helping you with various tasks. Their consistent presence in your life supports your physical needs and provides emotional reassurance for you and your family.

Allied health professionals

BaptistCare physiotherapists and occupational therapists use their discipline-specific skills to optimise your comfort and dignity. Our physiotherapists help with pain management, mobility and balance, helping clients maintain physical function and reduce discomfort, while our occupational therapists focus on helping you to perform daily activities safely. They can also assess your home, recommend modifications, and provide strategies to support daily living tasks.

These professionals work closely with nurses, care workers and other team members to deliver holistic, person-centred care tailored to your unique needs, helping you stay as comfortable and supported as possible in your own home.

Palliative care with BaptistCare at home

At BaptistCare, our compassionate palliative care teams put people first. We take the time to listen, connect, and understand each person’s story, honouring who they are beyond their illness.

If you or a loved one are just beginning the palliative care journey, we’re here to support you. Our experienced team can guide you through the services available and help you navigate your next steps with care and confidence.

📞 Call us on 1300 275 227 (Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 6:00pm)

📧 Email us at ask@baptistcare.org.au

Or complete the enquiry form below, and one of our friendly team members will be in touch.

Make an enquiry

If you would like to know more, please complete the form and one of our home care specialists will be in touch.

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Palliative care in your own home