-
Practice Tip Sheets for Careworkers Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for Careworkers
Tips for Careworkers:
Continuity of Care
What it is: Continuity of care has three main parts:
- The care provider knows and follows the care of a person, client or resident.
- There is good exchange of relevant information between different care providers.
- Different care providers cooperate so that care is connected care.
Why it matters: Continuity of care helps care providers to be aware of a person’s preferences and care needs. It also helps with the smooth coordination of a person’s care. It is particularly important for the care of a person who may be at the end of life. It also helps care providers to have the information they need so that the person’s choices are respected.
What I need to know: Continuity of care can:
- avoid unnecessary hospitalisations
- ensure the older person receives uninterrupted care for their needs
- make sure that important treatments continue when a person is moved to or from a care setting (home, hospital, residential aged care)
- make sure that a person’s preferences and needs are considered.
Do
Ask your supervisor about any documents that should accompany a person when transferred between care settings.
Do
Talk clearly with the family, carers, nurses and management to ensure you and others are aware of any new goals of care.
Do
Report to nursing/supervisory staff any changes that you notice in the person or requests made by the older person or their family.
Do
Ask your supervisor about the SPICT-4ALL tool (571kb pdf). This helps you to identify people who are declining in health and might benefit from better supportive and palliative care.
My reflections:
How do I report to nursing/supervisory staff any changes that I notice or any questions that family members may have?
See related palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets:
For references and the latest version of all the Tip Sheets visit
Practice Tip sheets for careworkers
CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Updated July 2022
Page updated 22 July 2026
- Supporting Services
- palliAGED Products
- Practice Tip Sheets for Careworkers
- Continuity of Care