Residential Aged Care

Background

The Southern Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium (SMRPCC) aims to help residential aged care facilities in the southern metro region deliver quality palliative care.

The World Health Organization defines palliative care as: “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients … and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual.”

Key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety require aged care providers to provide high quality palliative care.

SMRPCC is committed to collaborating with RACFs to build structures that support the palliative approach and facilitate capacity building. By supporting aged care facilities to provide high quality palliative care, SMRPCC aims to help many older Australians have a good death and help their families and carers receive better support during the dying and bereavement process.

Current initiatives

Palliative Improvement Program (PIP)

We support RACFs to review their current practices around the provision of palliative care. The Palliative Improvement Program (PIP) helps RACFs identify areas for improvement in their palliative approach.

By reviewing the files of deceased residents, facilities can identify their current practice standards, find opportunities for improvement, and develop relevant training. Please contact Sharon (contact details below) to express your interest in this initiative.

To open the latest version of ELDAC’s death audit tool, click here.

IMPREST medication system

For more information about IMPREST medications, see the following links:
IMPREST Medications for RACFs – FAQ
IMPREST Medications for RACFs
IMPREST RACF Register – Sample

Consortium developed resources

Resource list – aged care specific 

SMRPCC has an aged care resource list, which we can send to you. If you would like a copy of this list, please email Consortium Manager Tanja Bahro at tanja.bahro@smrpcc.org.au.

Palliative approach tools

SMRPCC has developed resources to help implement the palliative approach:

For more resources and links to other organisations, go to SMRPCC’s Resources and Links page

Other useful organisations

ELDAC

End of Life Directions for Aged Care

https://www.eldac.com.au/
ELDAC provides information, guidance and resources to health professionals and aged care workers to support palliative care and advance care planning to improve the care of older Australians.

 

CareSearch

https://www.caresearch.com.au/
CareSearch – Aged Care Hub
Resources, evidence, clinical groups, information
 

PEPA

Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach

https://pepaeducation.com/
Palliative care workshops and placements

Contact SMRPCC

Tanja Bahro – Consortium Manager
0418 584 106
tanja.bahro@smrpcc.org.au