Palliative Aged Care Program: An integrated Model
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Transcript Palliative Aged Care Program: An integrated Model
Presented by Sallie Fredericks
Nurse Consultant
Palliative Aged Care Consultancy Service (PACCS)
Background
50,000 Australians die each year in residential aged
care facilities.
Palliative and end of life care should be core business
for aged care services.
(Productivity Commission 2011).
Why Focus on Palliation?
“That people with a life-limiting illness can live until
they die in an atmosphere of care and support”.
“There is a widespread recognition that the benefits
of palliative care are not limited to the final days and
weeks before dying”.
(Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care)
Rationale:
Hospital admissions were common towards end of life
Late recognition that a resident may be dying
Discussions around death where not attended until the
resident was actively dying was common
Family members often had to make decisions about care
when the resident was very sick.
Symptoms were not planned for so comfort medications
were often not available
Focus:
A specialised care program focused on key areas to
implement a palliative approach to care:
Specialist palliative care staff visiting Aged Care
Facility weekly
Engagement with GP’s- building trust and
confidence
Improving the attitude, knowledge and skills of
staff
Review of the systems that were in place to guide
the palliative approach
ACTION:
Palliative Care staff attended thorough assessments of
all residents who were approaching the terminal
phase.
Symptoms that were commonly reviewed were pain,
anorexia, dyspnoea, cachexia, nausea and vomiting,
depression, dysphagia, mouth discomfort, bowel care
and skin care.
Plans were then made to manage these symptoms
through liaising with GP’s and Port Kembla Palliative
Care Team if necessary
Advance Care Planning
Case conferencing and discussions with family,
residents and General Practitioners that emphasised
and promoted the resident’s quality of life and dignity.
Ensuring care plans are formulated that focus on the
individual symptoms of the resident.
Debunking Myths
Found to be many misconceptions about Morphine,
Palliative Care etc.
Education was provided to all staff on the palliative
approach and the specialised care program.
The education focused on symptoms experienced, how
to recognise the symptoms causing distress and how to
manage them.
Education regarding the myths and misconceptions
regarding Morphine etc. were held regularly
OUTCOMES:
GP Satisfaction??
Planning
Reduction in crisis care
Residents more comfortable
Less residents going to hospital and dying there
reduction by 2/3Rd
Confidence in care from residents and relatives
Staff knowledge and “comfortability”
Questions???
Contact For PACCS
PH: 0404110498
E-mail: [email protected]
www.palliativeagedcareconsultancyservice.com.au