Palliative Aged Care and the Future

Project Report-Preparing for the future The future of palliative care is intrinsically liked with aged care. As we enter the second decade of this century, an ageing population who are living longer with increasing comorbidities is posing a new challenge in the provision for both our colleagues in Palliative care and Aged Care. A new model of care has emerged in NSW, a model that supplements the existing Palliative care Local Health District resources by working together, collaboratively within the aged care residential (RAC) sector. A model that ensures residents of aged care facilities their families and RAC staff are supported by a specialist Palliative care nursing service contracted by a residential aged care facility on a weekly basis mentoring, modelling, educating and supporting residents, their families, all levels of nursing and care staff and GP’s. This model builds capacity within the RAC and outreaches to palliative care teams when required and places the responsibility on to residential aged care organisations to provide the support that they promote they have. The presentation will explore the outcomes of this model, the gains for residents and staff and the way forward for the future. This presentation will be a joint presentation with Palliative Aged Care Consultancy Service PTY LTD and Clinical nurse consultants in Palliative Care representing South Western Sydney Local Health District and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.