Residential Aged Care

The Southern Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium (SMRPCC) supports residential aged care facilities across the region to strengthen their capacity to deliver high-quality palliative and end-of-life care. This work aligns closely with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (Quality Standards | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission).

• Standard 1: The Individual – Requires person-centred care that respects each resident’s identity, culture, values and preferences. This aligns closely with a palliative approach focused on what matters most to the person and their family.
• Standard 2: The Organisation – Requires a competent, well-supported workforce. SMRPCC supports this by helping services build capability, strengthen systems and access appropriate training, resources and specialist support.
• Standard 3: The Care and Services – Emphasises coordinated, responsive care, including advance care planning, timely assessment and regular review — all essential components of safe, proactive palliative and end-of-life care.
• Standard 5: Clinical Care (Outcome 5.7) – Requires providers to recognise when palliative or end-of-life care is needed, manage symptoms effectively, maintain comfort and dignity, and ensure families are informed and supported throughout the final stages of life.

Through this alignment, SMRPCC helps aged care facilities deliver compassionate, person-centered care that promotes comfort, dignity and support for residents, families and staff during the end-of-life journey.

Resources

• Advance Care Planning Australia
• After-hours service directory
• Aged care resource list
• IMPREST medication system
  • IMPREST Medications for RACFs – FAQ
  • IMPREST Medications for RACFs
  • IMPREST RACF Register – Sample