Aged care facilities across Australia will receive Federal Government funding to form collaborative links with palliative services to cater for our ageing and diverse population.
QUT's Professor Patsy Yates is leading the $1.5 million Decision Assist Linkages project which will see 20 collaborative relationships established between existing organisations to ensure a seamless and efficient progression for people from all walks of life who need end-of-life care.
Professor Yates said the projects recognised that older people living in all types of circumstances need access to good quality palliative care.
"We all get older and many of us will need end-of-life care, but not everyone has access to services that are appropriate for their cultural or linguistic backgrounds," she said.
"In Brisbane, for example, many clients of community care organisation Footprints are homeless or live in boarding houses, supported accommodation or public housing and their deteriorating health needs often aren't detected until crisis point.
"Many might also have complex mental health issues and historically neither aged care nor homeless services have been able to respond to their end-of-life needs. Footprints will establish firm links with other aged care and palliative care providers.
"There will also be major projects in each state to address particular areas of need.
"In NSW the aim is to ensure services to rural and remote, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island and culturally and linguistically diverse communities across the state. Appropriate services for the LGBTI communities in the Tweed Heads region will also be a focus.
"This project aims to reduce inappropriate hospital admission and upskill staff so they can identify patients in need of palliative care."
Professor Yates said the Decision Assist program provided education and support to GPs and aged care staff nationally to improve advance care planning and end-of-life care for all older Australians.
"It also includes a 24/7 telephone advisory service for health professionals, a dedicated website with all the latest information and advice about advance care planning and palliative care and specialised workshops."
Professor Yates is also chief investigator for the NHMRC-funded Centre for Research Excellence in End of Life Care.
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Media contact: Niki Widdowson, QUT media, 07 3138 2999 or n.widdowson@qut.edu.au.
