Resources for Families

Aged care can help the older person and their families by providing them with access to trustworthy information that can help them to recognise care and support needs, understand what to expect, and know what needs to be done as a person comes to the end of their life.

You can safely recommend the following online palliative care resources to the older person and their families.

• The Older Australia section in CareSearch provides older people and their families with information and links to resources that help them navigate changes associated with ageing, the need for aged care and the realities of decline and dying as an older person.
• The Patients and Carers section brings together information and resources around palliative care, managing symptoms and practical care issues, being a carer, and coping with grief and loss. There are state and national resources included.
• CarerHelp focuses specifically on supporting carers who are caring for someone living with a life limiting illness.

Responding to information requests

Older people or their families may be seeking more specific information. Below are trustworthy resources you can suggest or share with them if they approach you with these requests.

“I need to know about aged care”

• Visit MyAgedCare, provided by the Australian Government
• Visit Older Australia in CareSearch. CareSearch is part of the national palliative care program
• Visit Dementia Australia if you need support and information around dementia

“I need to know about advance care planning”

• Read CareSearch’s factsheet We all need a plan (246kb pdf) and view the slide show Advance Care Planning in Five Easy Steps
• Visit Advance Care Planning Australia for professional and consumer resources

“I need to know about palliative care”

• CareSearch can support your palliative care information needs. CareSearch is part of the national palliative care program
  • Read What is palliative care, a webpage in CareSearch
  • Download or order the booklet, Palliative Care Support for Patients, Carers, and Families
  • Find out about palliative care services and other services in your state or territory.

“I need to know about caring”

• Visit CarerGateway, provided by the Australian Government
• Contact Carers Australia for resources and state contacts
• Connect with the webpages, free booklet and resources in CareSearch’s Patient and Carers section
• Visit CarerHelp for resources on caring for someone who is dying. CarerHelp is part of the national palliative care program.

“I need information on grief and loss”

• CareSearch’s Patients and Carers section has information on grief and loss and links to grief support services
• Download or order the free booklet When someone dies in residential aged care: Grief and Loss for Families.