Palliative Care in Aged Care

The North and West Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium believes high-quality end of life care relies on open communication, informed decision making and collaboration among health care providers, residents, families and carers.

This section provides a range of useful information and resources to support those working in Residential Aged Care and those providing support to these residents. This information aligns with the Victorian End of Life Care Framework developed by the Victorian Department of Health.

Palliative Care Australia highlighted the urgent need for palliative care to be considered as core business in aged care. Check out the media release from their Board Chair, Dr Jane Fischer who appeared as a witness at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The final report from the Royal Commission, with all recommendations relating to palliative care in aged care can be found here. Recommendations number 2, 19, 35, 37, 58, 69, 70, 79, 80, 93, 114 and 118 all have specific implications for palliative care in aged care.

Organisations providing commonwealth subsidised aged care services are required to comply with the Aged Care Quality Standards. These standards define what good care looks like inclusive of end-of-life care.