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Palliative Care

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Palliative care and end-of-life care at Estia Health

Palliative care and end-of-life care at Estia Health

At Estia Health, our palliative and end‑of‑life care is centred on the individual, respecting each person’s wishes, values and what matters most to them during this important stage of life. We recognise that for many residents, our home becomes their final home, and we are committed to creating a supportive, compassionate environment where comfort and dignity are prioritised at every moment.

Our approach is holistic and tailored to each resident. Care plans are regularly reviewed and adapted as needs change, with our clinical teams working closely alongside GPs, specialists and community services to ensure the right level of support is provided. At the same time, our broader team contributes to wellbeing in meaningful ways, from adapting meals to suit changing preferences, to supporting emotional, cultural and spiritual needs.

We also provide guidance and support to families and loved ones, helping them understand what to expect and ensuring they feel informed, included and supported throughout the journey.

<div>Understanding Palliative Care and End‑of‑Life Care</div>

Understanding Palliative Care and End‑of‑Life Care

Palliative care focuses on helping people live as comfortably and meaningfully as possible when they are experiencing a life‑limiting illness. It is not limited to the final stages of life and can be provided over an extended period, often alongside ongoing treatments. The goal is to manage symptoms, reduce discomfort, and support emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing, with care always tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences.

End‑of‑life care is a specific part of palliative care, typically referring to the final weeks of a person’s life. During this time, care becomes more intensive and focused on ensuring comfort, dignity and peace, while also supporting families and loved ones through what can be an incredibly difficult period.

Together, palliative and end‑of‑life care provide a coordinated and compassionate approach that supports both residents and their families at every stage, ensuring no one feels alone and that each person’s final journey is guided by understanding, respect and care

<p>Supporting dignity, choice and compassionate care</p>

Supporting dignity, choice and compassionate care

At Estia Health, we are committed to respecting each resident’s dignity, values and choices throughout their care journey, including at the end of life. This includes supporting a person’s right to seek information about, and where eligible, access Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD).

Voluntary Assisted Dying is legal in the states in which we operate — Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. It is available to eligible individuals with advanced, progressive illness, and provides an additional option for people to consider as part of their end-of-life care.

We understand that decisions at this stage of life are deeply personal. Our role is to offer compassionate care, support residents and families to access appropriate information, and respect individual preferences in line with the law and our care values.

For more information about Voluntary Assisted Dying in your state, please visit:

  • Opening quotemark I wanted to take the time to thank you personally for everything that you and the staff have done in helping our family in regard to the care of my father. It was a very difficult time, however the people at Estia Health gave us much needed comfort and support. Our hearts are broken now with the death of both our parents. But we will remember them for being the wonderful people they were. The way in which our father was treated by the wonderful staff in his final days, afforded him much needed dignity in his time of need. We are thankful that he was given a peaceful experience of death. Closing quotemark
    - Family members
  • Opening quotemark Real compassion comes from seeing the suffering of others. You feel a sense of responsibility and you want to do something for them and the more we care for the happiness of others the greater is our own sense of well-being. This is what you all showed to our family and Sandy. Words can't say enough at this loss of our husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather only thank you all at Estia Health Tuncurry. Closing quotemark
    - Family members
  • Opening quotemark I must let you know just how well Millicent was looked after during her entire stay and what I experienced and witnessed was simply wonderful. Being a resident at Estia Health Tea Gardens allowed Mum to be surrounded with care and security while giving peace of mind for our family. From the Facility Managers, to the Registered Nurses and all the support staff, nothing was ever any trouble. They were always at hand to help and the level of care was first class. On mum’s last day, the nursing staff showed the ultimate amount of compassion and professionalism. Closing quotemark
    Family member
  • Opening quotemark Just a note to say thank you to you and all your team for the wonderful care Ray received on his stay at your home especially when he became palliative. The kindness and care Margaret had from employees while Ray was in his last stage of life was wonderful. A special thanks to the lifestyle team for their care and devotion in making both Ray and Margaret comfortable whilst in palliative care. Once again thank you to you and your great team Closing quotemark
    - Family member
  • Opening quotemark My mother recently passed away in your Estia Health Tuncurry home after three weeks of respite. I would like to commend the team at Estia Health Tuncurry for the care and compassion they showed my mother and my family during this difficult time. Nothing was ever a problem, the constant care for my mother and our family was outstanding. The employees attitude and dedication have changed my opinion of what an aged care facility can be Closing quotemark
    - Daughter
  • Opening quotemark Russ and I wish to sincerely thank you all for your care of Dad during his stay with you. As his body and mind slowly failed your bright and cheery care helped to brighten his day. Closing quotemark
    - Family members

Frequently asked questions

  • Palliative care includes end-of-life care but it is much more, as it looks at the care and treatment required for anyone that has a serious illness where a cure or reversal of the disease and its progress is no longer possible.  

    The goal of palliative care is to help the person and their loved ones experience the best quality of life that they can, in the time they have left. This means that in addition to clinical and medical care, all aspects of a person’s care are involved to ensure they best meet with a person’s needs and wants.  

    End-of-life care is the final stage of palliative care as people enter the last few weeks and days of life. End-of-life care may begin when it’s clear a person is rapidly declining and there’s a significant change in their vital signs, increased fatigue or complete loss of appetite. At this stage, the focus very much becomes about the wishes of the resident, managing pain and maintaining their dignity.  

  • Palliative care is not just about pain management, but is focused on each individual and their family and loved ones - helping them have the best quality of life possible.  
     
    Palliative care will likely involve medication management, including pain management to relieve symptoms, but it will also include a broad range of care, including food and nutrition, mobility and sleeping, support for any emotional, social and spiritual concerns and counselling and grief support. 

    At Estia Health, all members of our team are involved in providing compassionate care, including when a resident has entered the palliative care stage. Our clinical team will regularly assess a resident’s care plan to review any changes needed to care as well as discussing this with family members and loved ones to help them understand and come to terms with the stage of life their loved one is entering.  

    There may have already been conversations when a resident first moved into a home, but at this stage the team may discuss a resident’s wishes and recommend completing an advanced care plan. This involves making decisions ahead of time about the health care you would want to receive at the end of life or in the event of a medical crisis. The aim is that people feel they receive care as closely aligned to their wishes as possible and there is less conflict amongst family members from confusion as to their loved one’s wishes. 

    Our chefs and their team may adapt meals based on changing preferences and abilities and our lifestyle team will look at all other aspects of care that supports a resident’s wishes, whether spiritual, cultural or emotional. 

    As a resident’s condition continues to deteriorate reaching end-of-life, the care team will continue coordinating with any specialist teams such as community nurses and palliative care teams who specialise in administering certain medications. And at this stage, the teams will work closely with family to guide them through each day as their loved one’s condition changes. 

  • Our care teams monitor residents' condition closely as they enter the palliative care or end-of-life care stage. There may be instances where a resident requires specialist or complex care that can only be delivered in a hospital and not in a residential aged care home. However, in many cases, the team will be able to organise the the relevant specialist care from community palliative care teams or GPs. For many people, their wish is to die at home, and although they may no longer be living in their own home, their residential aged care has become their home. It's where they’re surrounded by their belongings, friends, family, familiar faces, and our team who have often become like family to them. 

    For many residents in our care, in addition to administering the required pain management and other medications, much of this stage of care is centered around supporting residents, their families and loved ones to feel emotionally and spiritually supported as they navigate this challenging period. 

  • We will work closely with a resident’s family to provide as much support as is requested or needed at that time. Across our homes, each has their own facilities and some may be able to accommodate family members staying in separate rooms, or having a dedicated area to come together. Whether it’s asking for advice and guidance, a cup of tea or a friendly ear, our team will do their best to support you. 

  • Advance care planning involves making decisions ahead of time about the health care you would want to receive at the end of life or in a medical crisis.  

    Like many things in life, making decisions and thinking ahead to a difficult time like a medical crisis or the end of your life is both confronting and sad. However, making some decisions ahead of time, can mean a peace of mind that when the time comes, you know the people caring for you and your loved ones are clear on your choices and wishes. 

    In Australia, there are Advance Care Directives, which are formalised, legal documents that detail a person’s wishes, including the person who will make any decisions on their behalf, called a substitute decision-maker. As with many health care services, at Estia Health, we have an advance care directive program and will guide you through this process, when you first enter a home or as a resident requires palliative care. 

  • The following peak bodies and organisations provide specialist palliative care and end-of-life support, guidance and resources: 

  • At Estia Health, we respect each resident’s dignity, values and choices throughout their care, including at end of life. We support the right to seek information about, and where eligible, access Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD).

    VAD is legal in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia for eligible people with advanced illness. We provide compassionate care, share appropriate information, and respect individual preferences in line with the law and our values.

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