palliAGED updates

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?

palliAGED has joined the LinkedIn community with a new account. Follow us for the latest palliative care evidence and practice information to help you provide better end-of-life care to older Australians. Stay up to date with sector news, updates and learn about relevant aged care resources. 

Our practice tips for nurses and careworkers are one way to introduce and develop the palliative care understanding, confidence, and capability of your workforce. Another is our Introduction Modules for aged care.   

We appreciate the recent feedback you provided regarding our free palliAGED printed resources, which you ordered through our online form. We’d like to share some important insights you shared with us: (1) Nurses and careworkers benefit from the short, clear information written in simple language, (2) the printed format helps aged care workers understand that different pieces of information form a comprehensive set of resources and interconnected practice elements, (3) the reflection questions in the palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets stimulate meaningful discussion, (4) the Tip Sheets are being used for induction and ongoing team learning, (5) they are particularly helpful to aged care workers with limited experience, and they also support workers from diverse backgrounds, and (6) many were unaware of the Getting started with palliAGED resources but found it a very useful guide. You can order any of these resources via our online order form.  

Attending the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference? Come and visit The Department of Health and Aged Care trade booth #25 for a lunch time session where you can meet Dr Priyanka Vandersman from ELDAC and Dr Raechel Damarell from CareSearch on Thursday 14 September 2023 between 12.30pm -1.00pm.

During 2023-2026, we will continue to ensure the currency of the palliAGED website and, in particular, we will update our Practice Centre and the Australian Context section. We are also interested to understand how the aged care workforce and service use palliAGED resources and to help us do this we are looking at developing a framework of reach and impact measures. We are keen to continue working closely with the sector to ensure that what we produce is valuable and relevant as well, as built on the evidence for practice and care. We are always open to feedback and ideas so please share them by emailing us at palliaged@flinders.edu.au