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Palliative Care

Care from the heart, for when you need it most

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care involves treatment and support for a person who has a life-limiting or terminal illness. Palliative care aims to ensure that you can experience comfort, dignity and respect, no matter your diagnosis. This is generally through pain management and alleviating symptoms, plus emotional support and guidance for you and your supporters, to reduce distress and help ease concerns.

During this time, it is important to maintain quality of life, so that you and your loved ones can cherish this time together.

What is the difference between palliative care and end-of-life care?

Palliative care can be provided at any stage of an illness and can be over an extended period. End-of-life care is provided at the final stages of life - the final hours, days or weeks - after palliative care.

How can we support you with palliative care?

We believe you should experience this time of life with comfort, dignity and respect, and that it is important to keep an open attitude towards life, at any stage. Our approach is centred on you and your values. It involves compassionate and comprehensive support, with clear communication between you, your supporters and our team, to promptly address any changing needs as they arise. All our aged care centres provide palliative care and end-of-life care.

As each resident’s care plan is based on their personal choices and clinical needs, we have different palliative care services in place. Some of these include:

  • Professional symptom and pain management
  • Education on managing illness
  • Access to health professionals
  • Specialist equipment
  • Support in making decisions and care planning
  • Listening, companionship and social support
  • Professional support with emotional and spiritual concerns
  • Practical assistance with everyday living
  • Bereavement and grief support.

We will work closely with you and your supporters on your care and planning. You will meet with our clinical team and any other health professionals involved so that you are aware of what is happening, can understand what to expect, can raise any questions or concerns and see that the care is then provided according to what was discussed.

Alongside our clinical teams, our dedicated Salvation Army Chaplains and Lifestyle teams play an important role in providing support. Our Chaplains can lend a listening ear, talk through what you may be experiencing and feeling and offer emotional and spiritual support – whatever your beliefs and faith.

We can arrange supplies to provide additional comfort. These may include a humidifier with essential oils for a calming aroma, dimmer lighting and nursing items such as mouth swabs, saline and dry shampoo caps. You can also choose to have your favourite music playing softly in your room to help make the environment calm and soothing.

If your supporters wish to visit for a longer period, a reclining chair can be arranged so that they can stay in the room overnight. At some of our aged care centres, they can stay in hospitality units.

Planning Ahead with Advance Care Planning

An Advance Care Plan documents your values, choices and preferences and plans your medical care in advance. This is created after the discussion you have had with your medical team and supporters.

An Advance Care Plan guides the decision-making process if it comes to a point where you can no longer direct your care. This plan ensures that we deliver care that is truly centred around you.

Getting started on the conversation about palliative care in the earlier stages of an illness allows you to convey what matters most to you so that you have choice throughout the journey.

You can always reach out to us with any questions about palliative care when the time is right for you.

You can learn more about palliative care at the resources below:

NSW Health Advance Care Directive Form 

Palliative Care NSW

Frequently Asked Questions Expand all

Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a life-limiting illness, whereas end-of-life care is provided at the final stages of life.

You should consider palliative care in the early stages of when you have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.  

Palliative care aims to support families, carers and support networks by offering education on managing illness, additional access to health professionals, support in decisions and planning, professional support with emotional and spiritual concerns, as well as listening and companionship. Bereavement and grief support is also available.

An Advance Care Plan documents your values, choices and preferences and plans your medical care in advance. This is created after the discussion you have had with your medical team and supporters. 

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