Managing Physical Needs Resources

Reliable help to manage symptoms and medicines

Symptoms

• CarerHelp has a list of factsheets for common symptoms in palliative care.
• Although not specific to the care of older people, the Carers support Kit from Palliative Care South East has comprehensive information on managing pain and other common symptoms and medications at the end of life.
• Victoria Department of Health has  information on Managing physical symptoms during palliative care

Pain

• Australian Cancer council has information on Overcoming cancer pain (269kb pdf).
• 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424), speak with a registered nurse about any question you have about prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.
• Palliative Care Australia has Facts about morphine and other opioid medicines in palliative care.
• Palliative care Victoria has an information sheet About pain and the help available (1.66MB pdf)

Managing medicines

• About the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).
• 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424), speak with a registered nurse about any question you have about prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.
• The National Prescribing Service has:
  • a Consumer Medicines Information page.
  • They also have information on keeping a medicines list that could be helpful.
  • Information on Managing your medicines.
  • Information on Medicines and brand names explained.
• Services Australia has information on:
  • The PBS Safety Net scheme that many people are eligible for.
  • The Pharmaceutical Allowance Scheme.
• The Better Health Channel has a sheet on Medicines and side effects.
• palliAGED has a form for your Medicines List (129kb pdf) which you can print or fill in online.

Page updated 30 March 2023