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Australian researchers produce new tool kit to improve end of life care.
Australian researchers are launching a palliative care toolkit which aims to improve resources for residential aged care facilities nationally and throughout the world.
The Palliative Approach Toolkit, which aims to provide quality care for residents at the end of life and their families, is the culmination of a two-year project led by Associate Professor Deborah Parker from the University of Queensland/Blue Care Research and Practice Development Centre.
“Significant research has already been done to identify the best ways to care for people who are approaching the end of life in a residential aged care facility Parker said.
“We have consolidated that information into a step by step evidence-based model of palliative care, which will be suitable for use in all Australian aged care facilities.”
The toolkit formed part of a $1.4 million project – Implementation of a comprehensive evidence-based palliative approach in residential aged care – funded by the federal government’s Department of Health and Ageing under the Encouraging Better Practice in Aged Care (EBPAC) Program.
Researchers, health care providers and palliative care specialists from NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia contributed to the project.
Parker said nine residential aged care facilities were involved as demonstration sites, including Blue Care’s Amaroo facility at Tweed Heads in NSW and Iona at Kenmore, Queensland.
“Staff working in residential aged care support people with many needs including wound care, dementia, continence and rehabilitation, as well as palliative care,” she said.
“The toolkit will help staff identify the special needs and provide them with better resources and support to help improve palliative care for residents and their families.
“It is a comprehensive ‘how to’ guide, featuring a step by step approach to implementing a new model of palliative care, including policies and procedures, and education and training for staff.”
The toolkit, which has attracted international interest, is being launched as part of National Palliative Care Week this week (May 22-28).
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