Blog

Older Australians often wish to remain at home through the end of life, but for many families this can be difficult to achieve. In this blog, Dr Kristin Bindley explores carers’ experiences of supporting older people with life-limiting illnesses at home through in-home aged care packages. Findings highlight the significant emotional, physical and administrative demands placed on carers, alongside ongoing challenges such as delays in accessing care, workforce shortages and limited end-of-life support.

Grief among aged care staff following the death of residents is common, yet often overlooked and undervalued. Dr Kaori Shimoinaba and fellow researchers, examine aged care workers’ experience of death and grief, and their support needs. Many aged care workers experience repeated loss, leading to cumulative grief and an increased risk of burnout, while support remains inconsistent or lacking. The findings highlight the need to recognise staff grief as a significant workplace issue, and to provide better support, education, and opportunities for self-care.

Dr Michelle Stubbs highlights how grief among aged care nurses is often hidden despite their close relationships with residents. The study used art to help nurses express emotions that are difficult to verbalise, revealing diverse experiences of loss through colour and symbolism. 

Our Director, Professor Jennifer Tieman, presented From knowledge to practice: Implementation in action at the Palliative Care Aged Care Forum. While there is no shortage of evidence on the value of palliative and end of life care, translating this knowledge into everyday practice, particularly in aged care, remains a challenge. she explored why evidence still matters, helping us understand what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to be adapted across different settings.

Older people diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) often face intensive and costly treatment, a high symptom burden, and frequent hospital visits. Despite evidence that specialist palliative care (SPC) improves quality of life, it is often introduced late due to misconceptions and limited exploration of its economic value. In this blog, Dr Elise Button, A.Prof Nikki McCaffrey and A.Prof Hannah Carter explore the impact of referring patients to SPC at diagnosis rather than waiting until later stages. Could earlier support change both outcomes and costs?