palliAGED updates

At the recent ACCPA conference, we asked visitors at the palliAGED booth to share their top three resource needs to help aged care services prepare for the revised Standards, particularly around palliative and end-of-life care. Thank you to everyone who participated—and congratulations to our lucky draw winner! (Pictured above.) Here’s what you identified as essential:

1. Training packages tailored for specific staff roles and competencies (67%)
2. Resources to support the wellbeing of staff involved in end-of-life care (56%)
3. Webinars and workshops on best practices for delivering this care (49%)

These insights are invaluable as our team works towards redeveloping our resources for aged care services.

palliAGED was pleased to partner with ELDAC in their webinar on Talking with families about care at the end of life. A panel of researchers addressed why its important to engage with families at key times. 

Our team will be attending the ACCPA National Conference (23-25 October). Visit booth #73. Learn about what our project are currently working on, discover our range of evidence-based resource and share your thoughts for the chance to win a bottle of Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé Champagne.

People living with dementia may react to care when they are frightened or confused about what is happening. Learn more about behavioural changes and the actions you can take in our Tip Sheet.

Thank you to everyone who completed our learning modules and provided us with valuable feedback. We are delighted that 98% of you said the modules increased your knowledge and 96% believed they will influence how you provide care. These are free to access on our website anytime.

Although the introduction of the Standards is likely to be delayed, we continue our series focused on elements of Outcome 5.7. In this issue we explore information and resources to help you support and respect an older person's spiritual, cultural and psychosocial needs. This helps you provide best-practice person-centred care (Action 5.7.3).

In this issue we focus on information and resources that help to identify and manage changes in pain and end-of-life symptoms and deliver effective care that respects the needs of the older person (Action 5.7.3).

Over the next few issues, palliAGED News will focus on the elements of Outcome 5.7 in the strengthened Standards. This month we look at the importance of good communication (Action 5.7.2) for advance care planning and in ensuring the needs, goals and preferences of the older person are known and respected. Keep up to date with palliAGED between newsletters via LinkedIn.

Personal care workers in close contact with residents may be the first to notice signs that someone is approaching the end of their life. This short (2 min) video lists some of the common signs that a resident may be approaching the end of their life—information a care worker can then report to the nurse in charge.

The palliAGEDnurse app now features a series of 10 short education videos for aged care nursing staff. These resources will equip nurses with skills to provide effective care to people approaching the end of life and support families. Topics include:

• What to say to family when a resident dies
• How to do a soft towel wash
• Recognising signs of deterioration
• Pain management at the end of life
• How does culture impact on care?