As a nurse, you have a key role in caring for older people at the end of life. You may be providing care in an aged care home, in the person’s home, or in other community settings including general practice. You may be new to nursing or have come from another practice setting and may not have had direct experience in education and training in aged care settings or in providing palliative care. Palliative care is an important part of care in aged care settings.
Working in aged care
Nurses should be aware of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s code of conduct (1.70MB pdf). All staff need to act in a way that treats people with dignity and respect and allows them to make decisions around their care. You need to provide services in a safe and competent manner, with care and skill and act on concerns about matters that may impact the quality and safety of care.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has information on workforce responsibilities in aged care.
Valuing evidence
Research evidence and knowledge help us understand what works and how things work in aged care. Evidence helps you to improve care by connecting you with best practices that support dignity and quality care.
palliAGED has synthesised palliative care evidence around
Each of the sections reflect care issues included in Outcome 5.7 which deals with palliative care and end of life care. The evidence is them connected to topic specific tools, education and resources held in the Improving Your Care section.
Providing care as an aged care nurse has a summary of core palliAGED resources that can help you grow your skills and feel more confident in delivering care to older people in the last months of life.
Page updated 03 February 2025