Residential care
Palliative care
Enhancing quality of life with compassion and hope
Palliative care offers comprehensive health and supportive services to individuals living with life-limiting conditions or those approaching the end of life, including their final days.
The primary aim of palliative care is to enrich each person’s quality of life in ways that resonate deeply with them, while also providing essential support to residents and their families.
Our care focuses on alleviating symptoms that may arise, whether physical, such as pain or breathlessness, or psychological, emotional, social, spiritual, or cultural.
We firmly believe that palliative care is about celebrating life and living it fully for as long as possible. This approach can start early, right from the moment of diagnosis, and can be offered alongside other treatments and therapies.
Personalised care tailored to your needs
Every Bupa home provides general palliative and end-of-life care, supported by a local community specialist palliative care service for residents and families with more complex needs.
Our committed care teams, led by passionate care managers, collaborate closely with you and your medical professionals to create a palliative and end-of-life care plan tailored to your needs, goals and preferences.
We adopt a holistic approach that is both person and family-centred, recognising the essential role of families, caregivers, and supporters throughout this journey. We also offer practical and emotional support to help families navigate this time with understanding and kindness.
Comprehensive care and support
The essence of our palliative and end-of-life care embodies a clear pathway to identify when someone may benefit from palliative care or is approaching the last days of their life. This support includes:
Guidance to help individuals prepare for end-of-life in alignment with their evolving needs and wishes
Respectful and sensitive conversations regarding Advance Care Planning and end-of-life preferences
Comprehensive, person-centred care planning, developed in partnership with you, to enhance quality of life in ways that matter most to you
Pain management and other symptoms
Mental wellbeing, social, spiritual and cultural support to nurture wellbeing
End-of-life care that prioritises comfort and dignity
Supporting families and loved ones after death, including bereavement care
Access to dedicated nursing care around the clock, ensuring you always have professional support.
Connections to specialised local palliative care outreach services, enhancing your support network.
Our promise of care
We understand that the need for palliative or end-of-life care can be an emotional and complex time for both residents and their families. We're committed to walking alongside you with empathy, respect, and utmost understanding.
Regardless of your circumstances, we promise to honour each resident’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs, supporting you every step of the way.
We acknowledge that every journey is unique and different. Therefore, our framework of palliative and end-of-life care is built on principles of compassion, dignity, and equality, ensuring that all residents receive the care and attention they deserve.
Supporting dignity and choices
At Bupa Aged Care, we firmly support every resident's dignity, choice, and right to explore end-of-life options, including Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in our care homes.
VAD allows eligible individuals in the later stages of advanced disease to choose a prescribed substance that will gently end their life at a time of their choosing.
Please be aware that legislation and eligibility criteria for VAD can vary by state. More information and support regarding VAD in your specific state can be found here:
Benefits of palliative care
According to the World Health Organisation palliative care is most effective when considered in the early stages of a life-limiting condition. Both the World Health Organisation and Palliative Care Australia recognise that palliative care improves quality of life.#
Engaging in early discussions about palliative care empowers residents and families to articulate what matters most to them, allowing individuals to live well and plan for end-of-life care that aligns with their wishes.
Accessing palliative and end-of-life care within an aged care residence minimises unnecessary hospital stays, where this is in line with a resident’s preference.#
The difference between palliative care and end-of-life care
While end-of-life care refers to the support provided during the final days or weeks of life, palliative care encompasses a broader spectrum. It focuses on improving the quality of life for those living with life-limiting conditions, regardless of where they are in their treatment journey.
Some residents at Bupa Aged Care may receive palliative care for extended periods, and when we provide end-of-life care, it's complemented by our palliative care services.
Our commitment is to make sure that each individual's journey is respected and supported, making every moment as fulfilling as possible.
For holistic support that prioritises your quality of life
Speak to our friendly team about your individual care needs.
#Sourced from the World Health Organization published on 5 August 2020 and Palliative Care Australia.