The goal of palliative care is to address the whole person’s needs (i.e., physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and cultural).
It involves support from health care professionals for pain relief and other symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Services include:
- supporting the understanding your illness by providing information about your health, treatment options and care;
- suggesting practical ideas or therapies to enhance independence, comfort, well-being and function in everyday tasks. This may include strategies or equipment to support ongoing care at home;
- supporting and guiding difficult decision making and conversations with those you love;
- providing information and guidance for future medical treatment and other planning;
- providing referrals to additional services (for example domestic assistance, transport, legal assistance);
- providing emotional support and counselling for people living with a life-limiting illness and family members;
- facilitating open and honest conversations about living with a life-limiting illness, death and dying;
- working in partnership with your other health care team members including specialists, GPs and other service providers; and
- providing referrals to respite care services.
