What support will there be for my loved ones when I am dying?
There are usually a lot of supportive family and/or friends to offer to help. Having a good support system is never about just one person saying or doing the right thing, rather it’s about having a network of support people who come together to help in big and small ways and it’s the gestures that are often more appreciated.
Grief counselling is also available and at Care For Family, we encourage family, friends and carers to utilise this service.
Can the Palliative care team along with my family assist with arrangements for my spiritual and cultural needs?
Palliative care can focus on managing physical symptoms, like pain or nausea. It can also help with emotional, spiritual, cultural and social needs.
Spirituality means different things to different people. It is important to encourage your loved one to talk about how they are feeling and to ensure their spiritual needs is being met by asking the relevant questions.
Knowing how they feel about their hopes, religion or faith or what gives them a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Asking what really matters or what’s important could also be really helpful. Listening and understanding the patient’s beliefs or organizing a faith leader to come to their home.
You may be from a culturally and linguistically diverse background or be a refugee or asylum seeker.
Your community may have unique views, understandings and traditions about the end of life and loss, grief and bereavement. Our care professional and Palliative care team can also come from a variety of different cultures and can provide care that is culturally appropriate for you.
It is also important that there is a clear understanding of care needs and medical treatment. You can ask for an interpreter if there are any problems communicating or understanding. The person receiving care must agree to use an interpreter as part of the decision-making process before discussions start.
Will my loved one be able to have specialist palliative care if they need it?
Caring for someone with a specific terminal illness can be difficult. Palliative care can help as your loved one is nearing the end of their life. Many people who are dying prefer to be cared for at home and this is a wonderful gift to give someone.
Talk to a palliative care team to understand what is involved. A Specialist Palliative care team would consist of your general practitioner, specialist palliative care doctors and nurses as well as specialists such as cardiologists or respiratory physicians. Other allied health workers can be involved as required as well as one of our grief and bereavement counsellors.
How many nurses and carers can be present on evening and night duty?
There can be as many as required for the patient and often two per shift will provide the support needed to perform the necessary duties to keep your loved one comfortable. Nurses or carers will work through the night when most people are comfortable in bed.
Are you able to offer support to my loved one who is in a nursing home requiring palliative care?
Palliative care services can be provided in a range of settings including a Nursing home.
The same sort of Private services can be provided as if they were in their own home only with the support of the nursing staff at the residential facility. A Nursing home cannot provide the one to one support needed for a patient with a terminal illness. With the high level of care that is required for palliative care, families are able to supplement the care for their loved one with one or two experienced palliative care professionals to ensure their comfort safety and dignity.
Our trained team of expert professionals are here to help answer these and any other questions you might have and are experienced in working with your existing health professional where appropriate.