What is palliative care?
Palliative care is the active total care of people who have a life limiting illness that is not responsive to curative treatment.
It is provided in a sensitive way taking into account individual and family uniqueness, cultural and spiritual beliefs, traditions and lifestyle patterns. It
- Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process
- Neither hastens nor postpones death
- Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
- Integrates the psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of patient care
- Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death; and
- Offers a support system to help family and friends cope during the patient's illness and their bereavement
The team that provides palliative care includes doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, pastoral carers and volunteers.
Settings may include:
- The individual's own home
- The Palliative Care Unit located at Clare Holland House
- A hospital
- An aged care facility or other health care facility.