Palliative Care Services​

Palliative Care in Australia​

The vast majority of older Australians today prefer to age in place rather than an aged care facility. Because of that, advance care planning and palliative care services have become important topics for many families across the country. On this page, you will find information about palliative care with The CareSide, including FAQs and details on how to use a Home Care Package to secure end-of-life care options and services for life-limiting illnesses.
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A home care recipient smiles at her caregiver as she helps her put her coat on.

What is Palliative Care?

Despite common perceptions, palliative care isn’t just end-of-life care (EoLC)—though it can certainly be that.

Palliative care services are often utilised to support people through their journey with a disease or diagnosis that will most likely shorten their life. Australians who receive supportive palliative care services typically do so in conjunction with treatments from other healthcare providers, such as doctors, physiotherapists and social workers. Put simply, palliative care recipients can receive care for a long time before they pass away.

In Australia, many health professionals now suggest leveraging palliative care services in the earlier stages of a life-limiting illness. Effective palliative care can not only improve the recipient’s quality of life with symptom management and other supports, but in some cases, it can prolong the lives of people with a terminal illness.

Palliative care services through The CareSide empower care recipients to remain in the warmth and security of their own homes, whether they’re receiving end-of-life care or care for a serious illness.

Our palliative care team will work with you, your loved one and the other healthcare professionals assisting your family (such as GPs and doctors) to create a care plan and deliver holistic services that fit your unique palliative care needs and goals.

Compassionate Care When You Need It Most

Sue Gillett
Perth

My elderly parents have been cared for by The CareSide for over two years. Sadly, my mum passed away. Our family could not have navigated the loss without our caregiver’s diligence and sensitivity. She made a difficult period more manageable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Palliative care doesn’t necessarily mean death. Palliative care is typically recommended when a person is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, but death isn’t a guarantee. The purpose of palliative care is to support the recipient and ensure they have the highest quality of life possible as they battle their illness; in the case of death, palliative care strives to make that transition as painless and dignified as possible.

Absolutely—that’s why we’re here. Our compassionate caregivers deliver the highest quality palliative care in the comfort and familiarity of the care recipient’s home. Our team offers a full range of services and can help with anything your family needs, including medication management, cleanliness and hygiene.

Palliative care is versatile and can mean different things to different people. It’s often associated with end-of-life care needs, but at their core, palliative care services are designed to minimise pain, maximise quality of life, and provide relief from debilitating symptoms such as shortness of breath. Of course, palliative care isn’t limited to those concluding their life’s journey; many care recipients across Australia leverage this type of care while managing a serious illness, either in the early stages of their diagnosis or later when they require more assistance.

Care teams can administer palliative care in conjunction with other medical treatments, and care recipients can utilise palliative services in an on-off fashion through fluctuating phases of illness and wellness to ensure they always have sufficient support.

Palliative care is sometimes referred to as ‘comfort care’. This type of care aims to minimise pain and suffering while maximising the care recipient’s quality of life. Palliative care needs vary from one family to the next. Some care recipients and their loved ones require assistance with physical symptoms, while others seek social, psychological and spiritual support during their journey.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), palliative care should:

  • Provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
  • Intend neither to hasten nor postpone death
  • Integrate the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
  • Offer a support system to help recipients live as actively as possible until death
  • Help the family cope during the care recipient’s illness and in their bereavement
  • Use a team approach to address the needs of recipients and their families
  • Enhance quality of life, which sometimes also positively influences the course of illness
  • Be utilised early in the course of a terminal illness and in conjunction with other treatments intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy

Get the Most from Your Home Care Package

Palliative care services with The CareSide are available through approved Home Care Packages or private funding.

Many people ask us: How much does palliative care at home cost?

Palliative care services are commonly used in Home Care Package levels 3 and 4. Visit My Aged Care for up-to-date costs and subsidy amounts. If you do not have a Home Care Package and think you’re eligible, contact us and we will help you apply for one immediately.

Hands holding.
Several hands holding each other as a show of support.

The CareSide is an approved government provider of Home Care Packages. Since 2017, our family-run company has been on a mission to deliver the best home care in Australia at the most affordable prices. We know how important it is that you maximise your Home Care Package funding while receiving the best care possible, which is why we…

Developed proprietary software that drastically reduces administrative waste

Use technology to streamline our processes so we can devote our resources toward delivering personalised palliative care

Pass those savings on to you and your family so you receive more care with your budget

Palliative care prices with The CareSide are 25% lower on average on average than other home care providers, meaning our clients often receive substantially more care, support and benefits. We happen to believe that your home care budget should go toward your health and wellbeing, and that simple notion has helped us deliver more than one million hours of premium home care in just a few short years.

Speak with our team about your home care needs.

1300 85 40 80

Palliative Care with The CareSide

We hire and train the best.

Welcoming someone into your home is a big decision.  Unlike other home care providers, we directly employ and train all of our caregivers. We do not outsource labour hire or subcontract professionals through other agencies, so you will never encounter strangers on your doorstep.

Our team of experts brings decades of combined experience to the table with varied skill sets and specialisations, which means we can match you with palliative care professionals whose education and training fit your family’s unique needs.

Home care recipient sitting on a sofa next to her caregiver from The CareSide.
A palliative care expert from The CareSide posing for a photo and smiling.
Palliative care requires compassion, open-mindedness and an appreciation for the privilege you have been given to care for another person. It’s the heart and essence of helping someone on the final leg of their journey in this world.
Michaela KertaiCare Manager in Perth
  • 8+ years of experience in community nursing
  • Certified in Palliative Care and Community & Primary Care
  • Member of Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC)
Michaela provides consistent communication and follows through on everything I need assistance with. I feel comforted by my relationship with her.
Heide EdgarLake Coogee, WA
Heide Edgar
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We adapt to your needs.

If you already have a carer or know someone who you’d like in that role, we can make it happen. We can employ caregivers from other providers since that is within your rights under home care legislation, and we can also onboard and certify family members and friends if appropriate. We are here to meet your needs—not the other way around.

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We prioritise continuity of care.

Our palliative care clients get the same caregiver every visit. It takes time to feel comfortable with a caregiver and care manager. It’s not just about getting tasks done—it’s also about developing a relationship. Our goal is to support your family through the ups and downs, and that can only happen if you know what to expect.

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We respect your time.

We schedule your caregiver precisely when you want them because we know your time is valuable. The CareSide enables you to choose the exact times of day you’d like to receive home care services, which gives you and your family members the freedom to plan your days confidently.

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We never surprise you with unexpected expenses.

If you have a Home Care Package, you can choose to have no out-of-pocket expenses with The CareSide. We will not require you to ‘top up’ your package or pay daily contributions and income-tested fees. That means more of your budget goes towards what matters most: the care you need and deserve.

What to Expect

Phone Call

Speak with a Home Care Consultant to learn more about The CareSide's palliative care services and holistic approach to home care.

Home Visit

One of our Care Managers visits you or your loved one. We want you to be an active participant in developing a personalised care plan that meets all of your needs.

Receive Care

Once you're comfortable with the process, begin receiving in-home palliative care. Relax knowing you’re in good hands.

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Tips on Advance Care Planning

With so many Australians choosing to age in place these days, advance care planning is a very important topic for families to address. An advance care plan allows you and your loved ones to specify details of future health care, including the health services you would and would not like to receive should you become ill or injured and unable to convey your preferences.

There are two key components to forming an effective plan:

  • Create an advance care directive: This physical document details your preferences and ensures that they are known and respected by those around you, including your healthcare team and palliative care provider.
  • Appoint a substitute decision-maker: In the event you become unable to communicate your care preferences, this person will step in and do so on your behalf.

Palliative care professionals are also reliable advocates: they help facilitate pathways and provide information on how you and your loved ones can move forward in your unique care journey.

If you’d like to learn more about advance care planning, visit the Advance Care Planning Australia website or call the National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582 for more information. You can also visit Palliative Care Australia for more details and advice regarding palliative care.

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