-
Practice Tip Sheets for Careworkers Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People and Families Grief and Loss among Staff Inclusive Communication for Older People with Disability Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for NursesPalliAGED Introduction Modules Introduction Modules ManualTraining and Education palliAGED ProductsPractice Tip Sheets for CareworkersDeveloping the Workforce Supporting Change Service Solutions Download Resources Order Free ResourcesAdvance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses PalliAGED Introduction Modules Forms Resources for Families Aged Care Journeys in Palliative Care PalliAGEDnurse App Education Videos for Aged Care Workers
Tips for Careworkers:
Nutrition and Hydration

What it is: Nutrition is about the intake of food and how this helps health of the body. Good nutrition helps people stay healthy. Nutrition depends on the quality of food and how often we eat.
Hydration is about the intake of fluids to help with growth and health.
Why it matters: In the early stages of palliative care, nutritional intervention can help people boost tissue repair and general wellbeing and prevent infection. However, as people come to the end of their life, they may have less interest in food, and they may have difficulties with swallowing or tiredness. This can be due to many reasons. Careworkers can help by reporting any difficulties and assisting the person to eat and drink if possible.
Eating and drinking are important parts of a person’s life and social interactions. The attitudes and values of the person and their family are important in the decisions about eating and drinking.
What I need to know: Good food and drink can improve a person’s quality of life by reducing the effects of weight loss, improving wound healing and tiredness. In the early stages of palliative care the person may need help with eating and drinking.
Towards the end of life, a person may be less interested in food and drink. Changes in their body’s function and activity may mean less nutrition is needed. The goal is to enjoy food and reduce food-related discomfort. Family and carers may be distressed if a person does not eat. They can be reassured and provide comfort through mouth care or assisting with drinks. Mouth care remains important.
Do
Ask the person what foods and drinks they like, or if they cannot answer ask their family and look at their dietary plan. Report or record this information.
Do
Offer meals or snacks when the person is most alert and receptive.
Do
Report to nursing/supervisory staff if you think that the:
- person
- is in pain
- has poor oral health
- is confused
- has difficulty swallowing
- carer
- is stressed about weight loss.
Do
Help the person to eat or drink if they:
- have trouble being able to eat or drink
- are confused
- do not recognise food.
My reflections:
Why are nutrition and hydration important?
What can I do to encourage someone to eat? What do I need to be careful of?
For references and the latest version of all the Tip Sheets visit
Practice Tip sheets for careworkers
CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Updated July 2022
Page updated 21 July 2026