Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care

Guidelines Ref No. Evidence
70. Understanding the resident’s current or desired practices, attitudes,
experiences and beliefs by obtaining a comprehensive history, assists in
meeting the spiritual needs of a resident, as does a regular review.
371
367, 373
level
IV
QE
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT
71. The integration of trained volunteers into multidisciplinary teams can
enhance the provision of a palliative approach to residents.
72. Ongoing support and education from a trained coordinator of
volunteers will increase the effectiveness of volunteers as members of a
multidisciplinary team providing a palliative approach.
73. Suitably screened and matched volunteers may act as companions and
confidants, which can help residents and their families to feel more
supported.
384
383
384
383
384
383, 388
IV
QE
IV
QE
IV
QE
END-OF-LIFE (TERMINAL) CARE
74. To be actively “doing everything” for a dying resident, in terms of
medication, positioning, and other medical and nursing interventions,
together with talking to, and spending time or being present with the
resident helps family members cope with the dying process.
75. Well planned family conferences, conducted in private and attended by the
GP and other members of the aged care team, provide an opportunity for
building trust and discussing end-of-life issues of concern, which improves
the family’s satisfaction with the care that is provided.
241, 409 QE
308
309
III-2
QE
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
76. Members of the aged care team can experience loss following the deaths
of residents with whom they have established meaningful relationships.
Therefore, they may require opportunities to formally acknowledge their
loss and access to adequate bereavement support to reduce their levels of
death anxiety and their risk of complicated grief. Aged care team members
who have experienced many deaths may still require access to these
support services.
77. A memorial service is a useful ritual to assist in bereavement support of
residents, family members, the aged care team, and volunteers because it
facilitates the grieving process and reduces levels of death anxiety and the
risk of complicated grief.
78. The greater the level of social support that a family can access, the
better their ability to cope with the bereavement of their family member;
however, it is the quality of the support rather than the quantity that
enhances this resilience.
429,
433, 437
QE
433, 435 QE
414
399, 413
IV
QE
MANAGEMENT’S ROLE IN IMPLEMENTING A PALLIATIVE
APPROACH
79. Implementation of formal management systems in RACFs that support
the introduction and maintenance of a palliative approach through the
allocation of appropriate resources will improve residents’ and families’
satisfaction and enhance the quality of care that the aged care team is
able to provide.
6, 447,
450
QE
14 Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care