End-of-life care describes the care needed for people who are likely to die in the next 12 months due to progressive, advanced or incurable illness, frailty or old age.
A focus on the 12 months before death allows for optimal planning of care. It allows time to engage in purposeful conversations to facilitate person-centered care by discussing a client's preferences and what matters to them.
Care is centered around the client’s unique, holistic needs and preferences, taking into account their dignity and respect. The client, along with their families and carers, are treated as equal partners in decisions concerning their care and treatment.
Clients are kept well informed about their care and the services available to them, with advocates such as families or carers involved and able to represent the client’s preferences if they can no longer communicate themselves.
People needing end-of-life and palliative care may receive care and support from multiple services across several settings. It is critical that care is integrated and well-coordinated to ensure better experiences and outcomes for individuals, their families and carers, and that there is a seamless transition between services and settings.
Families and carers play a pivotal role in end-of-life and palliative care, providing ongoing support and care to clients. It is essential their role is recognised, valued, and supported. It is important they are involved in the planning for and provision of care, and they receive the services and support they require.
The care team in palliative care is a diverse and collaborative group of professionals who collectively provide comprehensive support to clients. This team approach ensures that a client’s physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs are met. The care team draws upon a range of skills and knowledge from various disciplines, creating a holistic care strategy that enhances the client’s overall quality of life.
Advance care planning is the voluntary process of planning for future health and personal care needs. It provides a way for a client to make their values and preferences for future medical care known. Advance care planning conversations and documentation inform future medical treatment decisions, if the client cannot make or communicate these decisions themselves.