Palliative approach in aged care

First published: August 2025

The spectrum of palliative care covers more than just end-of-life care. A palliative approach to aged care encompasses methods to improve the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, to ensure they are as comfortable as possible.

Types of palliative care

In residential aged care, palliative care is delivered with a holistic approach. Considering an individual’s physical, emotional, psychological and social well-being, services delivered can include the following:

• Pain management, with appropriate medication prescribed
• Emotional support to put the individual and their families at ease
• Activities for daily living – washing, feeding, grooming and bathing
• Spiritual and religious care, to ensure services are delivered in a way that is respected by the individual
• Mobility services such as wheelchairs and hoists
• External therapy access, which could include allied health, home modifications (for home care individuals), respite care and wellness programs

Palliative care is delivered in line with the duty of care.

What is the difference between palliative care and end-of-life care?

Many people assume that palliative care is end-of-life care. This is not the case. A palliative approach to aged care is tailored to the individual’s needs and offers a wide variety of care services to make the individual’s life more comfortable when diagnosed with an illness that cannot be cured.

End-of-life care is for individuals of any age. It can be delivered at home, a hospital, or a residential aged care home, and is designed to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during the end stages of your life.

Who would deliver palliative care in an aged care home?

In residential aged care homes, a palliative care team will comprise of assistant in nursing (aged care workers), clinical professionals such as enrolled and registered nurses, care managers and allied health professionals. There may be external parties who will visit on a case-by-case basis to deliver specific services to the residents who require them.

Palliative care duties for assistant in nursing

Assistant in nursing professionals working in residential aged care homes play a vital role in supporting individuals requiring palliative care. Their palliative care approach will focus on ensuring the resident is as comfortable as possible each day, and will assist with day-to-day activities such as:

• Hygiene needs – washing, bathing and toileting
• Meal assistance and meal rounds – assisting with eating and drinking, ensuring each resident receives meals that are in line with their dietary requirements and individual needs
• Emotional and social support – building rapport with each individual, and providing social interaction on a level that they need
• Vital observations and care plan implementation – delivering care in line with a resident’s care plan, and reporting any changes in behaviour
• Mobility support – helping residents move around and ensuring they reach each destination safely

Enrolled and registered nurse palliative care duties

Enrolled and registered nurses delivering palliative care in residential aged care homes are responsible for delivering person-centred care using their clinical skills and knowledge. Typical palliative care approaches taken are:

• Medication administration and management
• Wound care, including cleaning, dressings and promoting healing
• Providing education and training to other staff to ensure care delivered is people-focused with a holistic approach
• Resident advocacy – keeping the best interests of the resident at heart, ensuring they live with care, dignity and respect
• Maintaining open communication with the resident, their families and other healthcare professionals to get the individual the best possible outcome regarding their care

A registered nurse working in palliative care could be in a direct care role, as a nurse specialist, or in a management position. Find out more about aged care duties and responsibilities for each role.

Care manager involvement in palliative care approaches

A care manager’s role in residential aged care involves overseeing clinical care delivery and education of the clinical staff. Advocating for a resident’s well-being and comfort, key responsibilities include:

• Developing care plans to include palliative care approaches when appropriate
• Coordinating various services tailored to each resident to address wishes and meet individualised needs
• Supervising staff and educating on aged care standards, quality protocols, and care and support individualised to each resident
• Remaining an advocate for resident wellbeing and comfort
• Offering support when needed in terms of delivering symptom relief and pain management

Palliative care approaches by allied health professionals

External parties who work with residential aged care providers and team members to deliver palliative care services include:

• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech pathology
• Social work
• Dietetics
• Podiatry
• Counselling
• Music therapy
• External parties fulfilling lifestyle and leisure requirements

Read more on engaging aged care activities for your residents.

Benefits of palliative care approaches in aged care

Palliative care approaches are extremely beneficial to the individual, as the care delivered is tailored to the resident and ensures their needs and goals are achieved and fulfilled. Key aspects of palliative care that put the resident first include:

• Quality of life – care delivered to each resident focuses on pain management and a high level of comfort
• Palliative care approach – this is always done with a holistic view, addressing all of the individual’s needs
• Less time spent in hospital – through this high level of care, the likelihood of a resident being admitted to the hospital is greatly reduced
• Dignity and respect – these values are upheld in every aspect of care delivery
• Care integration – palliative care approaches can be diversified to individual needs, so other aspects of care are successfully intertwined in a care plan

Access to palliative care services

Aside from receiving palliative care services within a residential aged care home, individuals can start their journey through a referral from their doctor. Often available in a variety of settings, a doctor can refer someone to the appropriate source for further information. Palliative care services are readily available and should be easy to access.

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