Palliative care
What is Palliative Care
Palliative care provides treatment, care, and support to people with a life-limiting illness. It aims to help individuals live as comfortably as possible by treating symptoms and addressing their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
What does palliative care involve?
A team of health professionals provide palliative care and includes:
- Managing pain and other symptoms.
- Managing symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
- Providing emotional and psychological support.
- Supporting family members and caregivers.
- Helping with practical and social requirements
- Providing spiritual help.
- Helping individuals understand their treatment and care options.
Who can receive palliative care?
Palliative care may be beneficial for:
- People with a life-limiting illness.
- Individuals with advanced cancer.
- Individuals with advanced heart, lung, or renal disease
- People with dementia.
- People with degenerative neurological conditions
- Children and adolescents with life-limiting conditions
- Individuals with various chronic or degenerative conditions
- Family members and caregivers who require additional help
Palliative care is not restricted to those who are nearing death. It can start earlier to help with symptoms and improve quality of life.
Where can palliative care be provided?
Palliative care can be provided according to an individual’s needs and choices.
- At home.
- In hospital.
- In a hospice.
- In a residential aged care home.
- Through community-based services.
Palliative care vs end-of-life care vs hospice care
| Palliative care | End-of-life care | Hospice care |
| Can begin at different stages of a life-limiting illness. | Refers to care during the period when a person is approaching the end of their life. | A type of specialist setting or service that can provide palliative care, particularly when care at home is no longer suitable. |
| Focuses on comfort, quality of life and support. | Focuses on comfort, dignity and a person’s wishes during the final stage of life. | Can provide specialised symptom management and support for patients and families. |
| Can be provided alongside treatments for the underlying illness. | May involve stopping or changing treatments that are no longer beneficial. | May be provided in a dedicated hospice facility or inpatient palliative care unit. |
| Can be provided at home, in hospital, in hospice or aged care. | Can take place in different care settings. | Usually involves specialist palliative care services. |
When is palliative care needed?
Palliative care may be considered when:
- You have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
- Symptoms are difficult to manage.
- Your illness is affecting your quality of life.
- You need support with physical, emotional or practical concerns.
- You would like to discuss your care preferences and goals.
- Your healthcare team believes specialist palliative care may be beneficial.
You can discuss palliative care with your GP, specialist or another member of your healthcare team.
Benefits of palliative care
Palliative care can:
- Help manage pain and other symptoms.
- Improve comfort and quality of life.
- Support emotional well-being.
- Help people understand their treatment and care options.
- Support families and caregivers.
- Support personal choices and preferences.
- Coordinate care among different healthcare specialists.
Note: The content on this page is for information only. In case of emergency, call triple zero (000).
