Blog

Did you know that in the next 25 years, the number of Australians who die each year will almost double? Australia needs to be ready to care for older people as they come to the end of their life, and ELDAC (End of Life Directions for Aged Care) has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health to help meet this need. Find out more about ELDAC and how the project can help by reading the blog by Professor Jennifer Tieman, ELDAC Project Co-Lead, Flinders University and CareSearch Director.

Up to 11% of Australians are of diverse sexual orientation, sex or gender identity. However, accessing appropriate health and aged care services remains difficult for many older LGBTI Australians. Samantha Edmonds of the National LGBTI Health Alliance discusses current initiatives and the work that still needs to be done in providing inclusive, person-centred aged and palliative care services.

Implementing a palliative approach to care enables residential aged care facilities to support the quality of life, comfort and dignity for each of their resident from admission to death. Mark Butler from Eldercare discusses how their organisation implemented a palliative approach, and the benefits it brings to their residents and their families and multidisciplinary staff members.

Many of us are unaware that Dementia is a terminal illness. It is currently the second leading cause of death overall in Australia. Kirsty Carr from Dementia Australia discusses three things you need to know about dementia and dying. 

General Practitioners (GPs), especially those in rural areas, face challenges when delivering palliative care for older Australians. Jennifer Tieman, CareSearch Director at Flinders University discusses how palliAGEDgp, an evidence-based and easy-to-access smartphone app, has been helping thousands of doctors support our elderly who are faced with life-limiting illness.