Providing Care as an Aged Care Nurse

This is a list of common care issues associated with care in the last months and days of life. For each issue we have highlighted the most useful palliAGED resources so you can quickly connect with practical knowledge.

Advance care planning

• Advance care planning Evidence page and Improving Care page

Recognising and responding to needs

• Recognising deterioration Evidence page and Improving Care page
• Recognising deterioration forms [SPICT Tool]
• Recognising deterioration in a resident: Education videos for aged care workers
• Needs assessment Evidence page and Improving Care page
• Symptom management Evidence page and Improving Care page

Talking with older people and families

• Talking about end of life Evidence page and Improving Care page
• Download or order copies of the CareSearch booklet Palliative care support for patients, carers and families to share with the older person and their family
• Download or order Information and forms for the person and their family
• Communicating with families: Education videos for aged care workers

Multidisciplinary care

• Care coordination Evidence page and Improving Care page
• Download or order copies of Case Conferences: Residential Aged Care Forms and Case Conferences: Home Care Package

Managing dying

• Recognising the signs of dying: Education videos for aged care workers
• Terminal care Evidence page and Improving Care page
• What to say to a family when a resident dies: Education videos for aged care workers

Grief and loss

• Grief and bereavement Evidence page and Improving Care page
• Download or order copies of When someone dies in residential aged care: Grief and loss for families

There are also printed resources you can order for yourself or for others in your team.

Ensuring quality in clinical care and service delivery is a major focus within aged care. Nurses in aged care provide leadership to the care staff as well as providing direct care to older people. You may also be involved with quality improvement activities or supporting innovation within your service.

You can find out more about Quality improvement in our Evidence page. Our Supporting Change section provides has information on Implementation approaches and examples of Quality improvement projects in Australia.

Working in aged care can be challenging given the care demand and the reform context. Caring for older people as they can come to the end of their life is rewarding and meaningful but can also be emotionally and clinically challenging. Recognising the effects of providing end of life care is important to support your personal wellbeing and to contribute to a workplace culture that is positive.

palliAGED has a self-care plan that can help you identify activities and practices to support and sustain your wellbeing as a professional. This self-care plan has been written for aged care workforce. Nurse and Midwife Support is a 24/7 national support service for nurses & midwives providing access to confidential advice and referral.