News

Debbie Timpano, Palliative Care Project Officer, outlines key challenges of healthcare practitioners in using syringe drivers and prescribing opioids and introduces new training modules by Country SA PHN aiming to increase confidence and proficiency levels among healthcare providers using such medications in home settings.

The Nightingale Program, a palliative care initiative by Dementia Australia, provides free support through specialised nurses and occupational therapists to individuals with advanced dementia and their caregivers. Jayne Littledike describes the program and how it aims to improve quality of life for people living with advanced dementia and their carers, whether they be in their own homes or in a residential care facility.

Many individuals in the Chinese-speaking community come from countries or regions where death is considered a taboo topic, making it challenging to initiate discussions about advance care planning. L Yeoh, Dr C Sinclair, Professor B Tan and Professor J Rhee explore culturally sensitive approaches that clinicians and service providers might consider when communicating about end of life matters with older Chinese Australians. 

Aged care faces a period of great and opportunistic change in Australia. Dr Raechel Damarell, incoming palliAGED Senior Research Fellow, shares her vision on how palliAGED will continue to support the sector through these changes over the coming years.

G Johnstone, L Davey, J Cato and Professor J Lowthian discuss the role of home care services and the challenges in meeting palliative care patient needs.