Free TV event about providing quality palliative care

For aged care staff, making decisions that provide the best possible palliative care for older people has become increasingly complex.

People now live longer and, increasingly, are able to live out their lives in their own homes, whether in the community or residential aged care. With fewer “unexpected” deaths, older people can now plan, with their families, how they want to be treated in their end stage of life.

A free TV event discussing the issues facing staff working in residential and home aged care services in accessing and providing quality palliative care services is being held next week.

The program, in support of the project Decision Assist – Palliative Care support for Aged Care, is co-produced by The Aged Care Channel (ACC). It is aimed at Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, experienced aged care staff, Case Managers, GPs, and allied health professionals working for providers of Residential Aged Care and Home Care Packages.

The program will explore the many resources available through the Decision Assist program and how aged care staff across Australia can access training, information and case-specific expert advice to support older people and their families through the planning process and provide the best possible palliative care.

Decision Assist is a specialist palliative care and advance care planning advisory that provides free, easily accessible and comprehensive resources designed specifically for aged care staff at all levels – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Viewers of this program will learn that the Decision Assist Program includes an offer of free training workshops which focus on practical and peer learning opportunities, a very user friendly website with a plethora of useful resources and tools to assist with symptom control, as well as an advisory line manned by palliative care specialists to talk to 24/7,” says Karen Martin, ACC Strategic Partners Manager.

“Decision Assist is a wonderful initiative and a one stop shop to assist health professional with the challenges they face with end of life care,” Ms Martin says.

The TV event is held Wednesday 29th July 2015 at 2:15pm EST and goes for 30 minutes.