Palliative Care and Aged care

This education session will provide an introduction to the provision of palliative care in an aged care facility. The content will cover the importance of advanced care planning and the sometimes complex issues surrounding end of life symptom management. In the discussion surrounding end of life symptom management the assessment process will be reviewed. Correct assessment is required to achieve the best possible outcome for each client and will guide the intervention strategies that staff will employ to meet the needs of the client.
CPD HOURS: 1
Registration Year 2024-2025 

Course Content

This education session will provide an introduction to the provision of palliative care in an aged care facility. The content will cover the importance of advanced care planning and the sometimes complex issues surrounding end of life symptom management.

In the discussion surrounding end of life symptom management the assessment process will be reviewed. Correct assessment is required to achieve the best possible outcome for each client and will guide the intervention strategies that staff will employ to meet the needs of the client.

The session will further investigate why the assessment process should include psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement requirements. Common symptoms that may be experienced by the dying client will be investigated and best practice solutions discussed.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care identified concerns about the ability of clients of residential aged care services to receive timely, appropriate, and ongoing support and assistance in the area of palliative care and support of the dying patient.

The Aged Care Standards identify the legal framework to direct how care is delivered in an aged care setting. The issue of palliative care is assessed under standard 2.3 where assessment of care needs and planning needs to include resident preferences including advanced care planning for end of life care. Also Standard 3.3 reviews the goals and preferences of the client nearing the end of their life to ensure their comfort is maximised and their dignity preserved.

This education session provides important information for Registered and Enrolled Nurses working with elderly clients in residential aged care but also in hospital and community settings.

Learning Outcomes

In this session you will:
  • Understand what palliative care is, and how it is an essential component of aged care
  • Explore aspects of advance care planning 
  • Understand how to manage common symptoms in the dying patient 
  • Explore spiritual/religious/cultural care and grief and bereavement 

David Ruzicka

Master of Palliative care, Master of Nursing Science (Nurse Practitioner) RN, NP, MPC,MNS

David is a nurse practitioner with over 14 years of clinical experience in palliative care. David has worked in both the acute and community sector within various Queensland health facilities throughout the state.