palliAGED Introduction Modules
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palliAGED Introduction Modules for Aged Care

The palliAGED Introduction Modules for aged care nurses provide a starting point for training and developing palliative care understanding of symptoms and care issues. While we regularly review the evidence that informs our resources, we suggest you read our Clinical disclaimer.

Supporting education

A companion manual provides more detail on some of the education elements and is available to support educators who may use the modules in service training. More ideas for educators in using palliAGED products can be found on our For Educators and Managers page.

Services can also request to have these modules added to a local Learning Management System.

Explore the modules

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • explain what palliative care is
  • recognise changing needs towards the end of life
  • identify relevant palliAGED resources to support your learning needs.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • describe what self-care is and why it matters
  • identify your own personal self-care practices
  • list ways your organisation could support staff self-care.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • describe person-centred care
  • understand its importance to the care of older people
  • identify relevant palliAGED resources to support your learning needs.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • describe why talking about dying can benefit the person and their family
  • confidently start a respectful conversation.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • explain why recognising signs of deterioration matters
  • describe the nurse’s role in identifying deterioration
  • list validated tools for assessing a person’s condition.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • explain the role of case conferences in end-of-life care
  • describe the steps involved in holding a case conference.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • describe the purpose of a care pathway
  • explain the difference between a care pathway and a care plan
  • name a freely available end-of-life care pathway for residential aged care.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • describe the elements of good pain management
  • explain the nurse’s role in pain management
  • identify common myths about morphine in end-of-life care.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • describe common symptoms at the end of life
  • explain why good symptom management is important
  • list actions the nurse can take to alleviate symptoms.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • describe important end-of-life care issues affecting quality of life
  • explain practical ways nurses can make people comfortable at the end of life.

 

These free to use modules are based on the evidence-based palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets for Nurses new to palliative care. You can download a certificate to add to your learning portfolio for CPD. Each module includes a voluntary survey to monitor the quality of this resource and to assist with further development of content to meet identified needs. This data may be used for research purposes.  If you are looking for education and training options explore the palliAGED Training and Education section.


Page updated 18 March 2025

Learning outcomes

This module will introduce palliative care. On completion of this module you will be able to:

  • Define palliative and end-of-life care
  • Discuss the palliative and dying trajectory and identify opportunities to deliver best practice care
  • Locate evidence-based resources to get you started in delivering excellent palliative care.

Learning outcomes

This module will introduce Self-care. On completion of this module you will be able to:

  • Understand that self-care is about protecting yourself from stress and burnout, and be able to
  • Identify tips for your own self-care, and
  • Recognise how your organisation could support you.

Learning outcomes

This module will introduce person-centred care. On completion of this module, you should be able to:

  • Describe person centred care
  • understand its importance to the care of older people
  • Identify strategies for enhancing person centred care in practice.

Learning outcomes

This module will introduce how to talk about dying with older adults in aged care and their families. On completing this module you will be able to:

  • Describe verbal cues that could initiate a conversation
  • Practice conversation starters
  • Identify steps to take once a conversation has happened.

Learning outcomes

This module will introduce how to recognise when an older persons’ health is deteriorating, and they may be moving to the next stage in palliative care. On completion of this module, you should be able to:

  • Recognise signs of deterioration
  • Understand the SPICT tool to identify health deterioration
  • Consider ‘next steps’ when identifying health changes.

Learning outcomes

This module will introduce palliative care case conferences for older adults in aged care, their families and the health care team. On completing this module you will be able to:

  • Describe strategies for coordinated care
  • Understand steps in organising a case conference
  • Explain the role of the ‘registered supporter’ and  ‘care partner’ in end-of-life coordinated care
  • Locate tools for organising meetings and documenting outcomes.

Learning outcomes

This module will provide an overview of care pathways for older adults at the end-of-life. On completing this module you will be able to:

  • Understand the difference between a care plan and a care pathway
  • Describe the Queensland End of Life care pathway for residential aged care
  • Be aware of residential aged care funding for palliative care (AN-ACC), including end-of-life
  • Identify when a national end-of-life funded pathway for support at home might be appropriate, and how this is initiated.

Learning outcomes

This module will introduce principles of pain management for older adults in aged care, their families and the health care team. On completing this module you will be able to:

  • Describe the elements of good pain management
  • Explain the team’s role in pain management
  • Identify common myths about morphine in end-of-life care.

Learning outcomes

This module will introduce principles of palliative symptom management for older adults in aged care, their families and the health care team. On completing this module you will be able to:

  • Describe common symptoms experienced in palliative care
  • Understand the goal of symptom control
  • Locate evidence-based resources to get you started in delivering excellent palliative care.

Learning outcomes

This module will provide an overview of specific palliative care needs at the end-of-life. Ideally you will have already completed Module - Pain management, and Module - Symptom Management, which explores care needs in palliative care more broadly. On completing this module you will be able to:

  • Describe care needs that arise in end-of-life care
  • Identify strategies to manage care needs
  • The role of the broader health care team and carers in end-of-life care.

 

These free to use modules are based on the evidence-based palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets for Nurses new to palliative care. You can download a certificate to add to your learning portfolio for CPD. Each module includes a voluntary survey to monitor the quality of this resource and to assist with further development of content to meet identified needs. This data may be used for research purposes.  If you are looking for education and training options explore the palliAGED Training and Education section.


Page updated 09 February 2026