-
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 CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses 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 and Families Grief and Loss among Staff Inclusive Communication for Older People with Disability Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care 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 NursesPalliAGED Introduction Modules Introduction Modules ManualTraining and Education palliAGED ProductsPractice Tip Sheets for CareworkersDeveloping the Workforce Supporting Change Service Solutions Download Resources Order Free ResourcesAdvance 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 CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses PalliAGED Introduction Modules Forms Resources for Families Aged Care Journeys in Palliative Care PalliAGEDnurse App Education Videos for Aged Care Workers
Tips for Careworkers:
Distress at the End of Life

What it is: Distress at the end of life is when a person finds it hard to come to terms with dying.
It includes thoughts about:
- death
- the meaning of life
- loneliness
- loss of dignity
- achieving life’s goals.
Distress at the end of life may also be called existential distress, death distress, or death anxiety.
Why it matters: People with life-limiting illnesses often suffer from distress at the end of life.
Older people with limited ability to connect with others can also have existential loneliness with strong feelings of emptiness, sadness, and longing. This can lead to anxiety and depression.
What I need to know: In people needing palliative care, distress at the end of life may lead to a wish for hastened death. Therapies such as life review or dignity therapy may help with quality of life and wellbeing in the short-term.
Do
Take note and report to nursing/supervisory staff if the person shows signs of distress such as trouble breathing or appearing upset or annoyed.
Do
Take time with the person, giving them your full attention and allowing them to talk to you, with you.
Do
Ask questions like ‘How are you feeling?’ or ‘Is there anything else troubling you?’ or ‘Is there anything you would like to talk about?’
My reflections:
How do I cope with a client or resident expressing distress at the end of life?
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