palliAGED updates

Our project partner CareSearch will launch its new portal on 21 September 2021. Join the virtual launch to learn how the portal was built and how it will support patients, families, health professionals, and communities to make informed decisions.

Hosted by CareSearch Director Professor Jennifer Tieman, the launch will feature the following speakers: 

• Judith Leeson AM
• Ms Helena Kyriazopoulos, CEO, Multicultural Communities Council of SA
• Professor Leeroy William, President, Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine
• Professor Virginia Lewis, Research Chair, Australian Institute for Primary Care and Ageing
• Dr Katrina Erny-Albrecht, Senior Research Fellow, CareSearch.

The palliAGED Introduction Modules for aged care nurses have been well-received by the aged care sector. Covering 10 essential topics, the evidence-based modules provide an easy way for nurses to get started in palliative care or to refresh your understanding of care concepts. Email us if you would like to add the modules to your organisation's LMS. You can also read the latest blog to see how others are using the modules.

palliAGED has a list of information and resources to support our aged care workforce in providing palliative care and care at the end of life during this COVID-19 pandemic. Links to resources regarding vaccination, self-care, and caring for the dying and seriously ill are among those listed and are particularly useful for aged care staff in affected areas in New South Wales and Queensland.

Printed copies of our Practice Tip Sheets for Aged Careworkers and Nurses are available to order for free. Covering 37 commonly encountered issues such as supporting patients with advanced dementia, talking about end of life, and recognising deterioration, the tip sheets been reviewed by experts in aged care, palliative care, and evidence.

Based on the palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets and covering 10 essential topics, the evidence-based palliAGED modules provide an easy way to get started in palliative care or to refresh your understanding of care concepts. The online companion Introduction Module Manual is also freely available. If you would like to add the modules to your organisation's LMS, email us to find out more.

The palliAGED introductory modules covering 10 palliative care topics were released in May 2021 and have already generated a lot of interest within the aged care sector. To date seven organisations have asked to add the modules to their local Learning Management System (LMS) for staff training.

We have also received hundreds of responses to the quality improvement questions within the modules and these show that the aged care workforce is keen to learn and ready to take on skills in palliative care. All modules are freely available on our website. If you would like to add these to your LMS contact us at palliAGED.

Pharmacists have a role in the care of older Australians with palliative care needs. Our new section lists resources that are relevant to contemporary Australian pharmacy practice and the potential role of pharmacists in palliative care.

Nurses have a key role in caring for older people at the end of life and in providing palliative care. Our new section supports nurses with guidance for best practice palliative care based on the evidence we have identified and appraised.

The palliAGED online learning modules for nurses have been well-received by the aged care sector. We have received positive feedback on the modules, as well as several requests by aged care services to integrate these into their learning management systems (LMS). 

Based on the palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets and covering 10 essential topics, the free and evidence-based modules are designed to support nurses engaging with aged care and/or palliative care for the first time. Email us to find out how you include the modules to your organisation's LMS.

Sometimes people can deteriorate suddenly. In this case anticipatory medicines may not have been arranged. Our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriber bag list (95kb pdf) includes medications that can be used to relieve symptoms in this situation and tips on practical considerations.