Information for patients, carers, family members and friends.

Please click on the questions below to jump to answers further down the page. The information on this page is a guide only and does not take the place of information provided to you by a health professional and tailored to your situation.

 

How can palliative care help you?

  • If you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with a life limiting or terminal illness like cancer or organ failure, palliative care (sometimes known as ‘hospice care’) can help prevent and relieve suffering by treating pain and other problems, physical, emotional, social and spiritual.
  • Palliative care service providers can also assist if you are the carer or family member of a person with a life limiting or terminal illness, helping organise income support, bereavement support, equipment etc, depending on what’s needed.
  • The overall aim is to help you achieve your individual goals in life and in care.
  • You can learn more about palliative and end of life care at the website of Palliative Care WA Inc:  http://www.palliativecarewa.asn.au/about.php
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Do you want to learn more about palliative care and what it means for your care, or the care of someone close to you?

  • As a first step, it is often helpful to talk to your usual doctor or care team about palliative care.
  • Palliative Care WA Inc can also provide general information about palliative care and available services – call the office during business hours on 1300 551 704.
  • Learn more about palliative care definitions.
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Do you need to develop and communicate your plans for the future, or discuss your health situation?

  • Clear communications are vital if you have been diagnosed with a life limiting or terminal illness.
  • Concealing information, whether you are the sick person or a family member of the sick person, can cause problems.
  • Talking about your problems or concerns with your family, friends or health care team can lead to good solutions and can help you feel better.
  • Give yourself and those close to you time and space to discuss difficult issues without interruptions.
  • If you need a guide to talking with your doctor about your situation, Palliative Care Australia publishes Asking Questions Can Help, available at:  http://www.palliativecare.org.au/portals/46/resources/AskingQuestionsCanHelp.pdf
  • If your family member, friend or work colleague has been diagnosed with a life limiting or terminal illness, Palliative Care Australia publishes What Can I Say, What Can I Do? available at:  http://www.palliativecare.org.au/portals/46/resources/WhatCanI.pdf
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Is palliative care only for people who are just about to die?

  • Palliative care is not only for people who are just about to die.
  • Many people benefit from early input from a palliative care team, often while curative therapy continues, in order to access additional resources and expertise, help with care planning and meeting particular needs of a person or their family.
  • In most cases the palliative care team will work closely with a person’s existing doctors and care team throughout the person’s journey.
  • The palliative care team may only have intermittent or minimal contact with the person, depending on their needs.
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Do you need a palliative or hospice care service provider?

  • The level and complexity of your problems, your strengths and limitations, and those of your carers, family and friends, will determine the sort of care and support offered by service providers.
  • Only some people need to access services from a palliative care or hospice service.
  • As a first step, it is often helpful to talk to your usual doctor or care team about palliative care.
  • Most palliative care or hospice services need a referral from your doctor.
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Do you want to find out more about palliative care services in country Western Australia?

  • Services are generally provided free of charge through the public health system – there are private options available in some locations.
  • Each of the regional health services in rural Western Australia provides palliative care services – contact details for your local office are shown at http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/, or visit the Palliative Care Australia National Palliative Care Service Directory:  http://pallcare.gky.com.au/c/pc?a=apps&ap=bd
  • Silver Chain (08 9242 0242 or www.silverchain.org.au) provides palliative care services in the community in some country locations.
  • The Independent Living Centre of WA can help you source equipment:  http://www.ilc.com.au/ or 1300 885 886
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Do you want more information about your palliative care medications?

  • As a first step, it is often helpful to talk to your usual doctor or care team about palliative care medications.
  • The Australian Government has listed many medicines commonly used in palliative care on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule – this means that the drugs are available to you at reduced prices.
  • If you are having difficulty paying for your medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways of saving money on your medicines.
  • Morphine is a safe and effective pain medication for many people – Palliative Care Australia publishes a brief brochure about the use of morphine and other medications in palliative care which is available at www.palliativecare.org.au.
  • Make sure you discuss any complementary or alternative therapies with your doctor before you start them.
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Do you need support as a carer for someone with a life limiting illness?

  • Palliative care service providers can help organise support if you are the carer of someone with a life limiting or terminal illness.
  • Additional support for carers is available from Carers WA www.carerswa.asn.au, or call 1300 227 337.
  • If you need respite services:  Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres: 1800 052 222 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059.
  • You may be eligible for an Australian Government benefit if you are a carer – contact Centrelink on 13 2717 or visit www.centrelink.gov.au for more information
  • Palliative Care WA Inc publishes a free booklet called ‘Palliative Caring at Home’ which contains practical advice and information for carers. Click here to download your copy (April 2010, 33 pages 275Kb), call our office on 1300 551 704, or email pcwainc@palliativecarewa.asn.au to request a copy.
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Do you know someone with a life limiting illness and you don’t know what to do or what to say?

  • Palliative Care Australia publishes ‘What can I say, what can I do?’, available from www.palliativecare.org.au
  • The Living Caring Working website at www.livingcaringworking.com is an Australian resource which includes lots of practical information for work colleagues and employers about supporting people in the workplace who have a life limiting or terminal illness, or who are caring for someone who is seriously ill.
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Has someone close to you recently died?

  • Everybody experiences the loss of someone close to them differently – there is no right or wrong way to respond.
  • You may have new or unpredictable feelings including sadness, anger, anxiety, relief or guilt – these are normal and will probably subside over time.
  • You may feel disinclined to see friends or family or go to work, life may seem disorganised, it might be difficult to eat or sleep or concentrate, you might have worrying dreams – these are normal responses and will probably subside over time.
  • It can be helpful to spend time with trusted friends or advisers to express in some way what you are experiencing.
  • More practical information and advice is available at the www.grieflink.asn.au website.
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Do you need to write a will?

  • A will outlines what should happen to your personal property after you die.
  • If your affairs are simple, you can use a will kit from a newsagent.
  • In most cases it is wise to consult a trusted adviser – a lawyer or accountant – about your will.
  • You should not use a will to record your wishes for care or treatment while you are still alive.
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Do you need to organise a funeral?

  • Planning your funeral in advance, and letting the people around you know about it, can prevent confusion or conflict after your death, and ensures your personal wishes met.
  • Check the Yellow Pages under ‘Funeral Directors’ to contact someone in your area for a confidential discussion.
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Do you need help managing your finances and legal affairs?

  • If you are unable to manage your own finances and legal affairs, you may need to complete an Enduring Power of Attorney to nominate a trusted person who can do this on your behalf.
  • There is more information available on the website of the WA Office of the Public Advocate:  www.publicadvocate.wa.gov.au
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Do you want more general information about palliative care, or to access detailed information resources about palliative care?

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Last page Update:July 1, 2010