Palliative care and disability
People living with disability may require palliative care at different stages of life, depending on the nature of their condition, their level of function, and their long term health trajectory. Palliative care is not only about end of life — it is a holistic approach that promotes comfort, quality of life and support for the person, their family and their care network.
Inclusive, equitable care recognises that people with disability have the same right to timely, high quality palliative support, and that services must proactively address barriers such as communication challenges or delayed recognition of deterioration. By ensuring accessibility, collaboration across services, and person-centered practice, we can deliver compassionate, dignified and responsive care for all.
Resources
National Disability Services
A comprehensive guide to palliative care, end-of-life care and advance care planning.
Palliative Care, life limiting illness, and support for people with a disability.
Talking End of Life
… with people with intellectual disability
TEL is designed for disability support workers but is also helpful for others including families, health professionals, and educators.
VALID
Palliative Care Victoria and VALID have created new resources to help professionals talk to people living with a disability about palliative care, death and grief.
Palliative Care Easy Read Resources | VALID
SMRPCC Fact Sheet Series
- What is palliative care?
- Advance care planning
- Care planning for palliative care
- Coroner investigations
- Bereavement in a group home
- Advocating for people with a terminal illness in a group home
- The process of dying
- End-of-life conversations
- Care and dying where the resident chooses
- Consent and decision making for medical treatment
For more resources and links to other organisations, go to SMRPCC’s Resources and Links page
Contact SMRPCC
Katrina Midgley
Residential Aged Care Program Manager
0493 490 911
katrina.midgley@smrpcc.org.au