Palliative care: care for the terminally ill
Palliative care offers specialised health care to support people with a life-limiting illness, their family and carers. It's about enabling the best possible quality of life by finding ways to relieve the symptoms of the illness.
The type of care and support provided depends on your needs.
People who may treat you include:
- specialist doctors and nurses
- allied health professionals
- general practitioners
- family members and other volunteers.
Understanding treatment and care
Palliative care is usually carried out in your home, residential aged care facility, hospital or hospice. You may receive:
Some common palliative care services include:
- medication and treatments
- medical reviews and assessments
- guidance and help with accessing information and resources (such as equipment, financial support and other health or council services)
- short-term care relief and respite care
- counselling and emotional support
- bereavement support for carers and family after the patient’s death.
A doctor or other health professional can refer you to specialist palliative care services when required.
Services and support for carers
Looking after someone with a terminal illness can be challenging. As a carer, you will need to learn quickly about:
- how to care for someone with a terminal illness
- how to look after yourself
- where to get help
- what medications and treatments are available.
For palliative care information and support contact:
- Palliative Care Helpline—call 1800 772 273 (9am–5pm, Monday–Friday)
- Carers Queensland—call 1800 242 636 (9am–5pm, Monday–Friday)
- CareSearch—advice and information for patients, carers and family.
For medical and health information phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) visit a:
- doctor for medical check-ups, advice on medications and referrals to other services
- hospital or health centre for more specialised support.
