National Palliative Care Week (NPCW) is here. From Sunday, 19 May 2024 to Saturday, 25 May 2024, Australians are invited to bring the same openness and curiosity we have for life to how we approach end-of-life and explore the thoughts and conversations that go with it. 

NPCW provides us with an annual opportunity to celebrate the work of not only hundreds of palliative care specialists and palliative care nurses, but also the support provided by general practitioners, volunteers, allied health professionals, community workers, and family members. 

Whether you are relieving someone's pain during a serious illness or providing end-of-life care, these situations can be stressful for everyone involved. 

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care defines palliative care as helping people to live as fully and as comfortably as possible with a life-limiting or terminal illness, aiming to ease the suffering of patients and their families. 

It is important to note that palliative care is not the same as end-of-life care. You can receive palliative care at any stage of your illness. You can also continue treatment for your illness while you are having palliative care. 

End-of-life care is the care given to people and their families who are facing the end of their life. End-of-life care is an important part of palliative care. End-of-life care is for people of any age. It often involves bringing together a range of health professionals to help you to live as comfortably as possible. Wherever possible you can have end-of-life care where you and your family want. This can be at home, in hospital, or in a hospice or residential aged care home. 

Your Right at Home palliative care team can include health professionals from a range of specialties and may include doctors, nurses, caregivers, social workers, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, occupational and speech therapists, and psychologists. 

At Right at Home, we understand that many of us would prefer to pass away at home. Whether you can do this depends on several factors including the nature of your illness and amount of care you need, how much support is available from your family friends, and whether you have someone at home who can provide physical care and support.  

If you would like to learn more about palliative care at home, contact your local office today.  

Keep up to date with COVID 19 information on the following links: 

Australian Government Department of Health 

Victorian Health and Human Services 

NSW Health 

Queensland Health 

ACT Health 

WA Department of Health 

Tasmanian Department of Health 

Northern Territory Department of Health 

SA Health 

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors (elderly and aged care), and any adult who needs our care at home including adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no package management fees, Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget. 

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained, and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one. 

To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website. 

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