Embracing Palliative Care Week: Supporting Residents, Families, and Staff

Last week was National Palliative Care Week, which aims to put “Matters of Life and Death” front and centre across Australia.

As dedicated individuals working in the retirement sector, you understand the importance of providing exceptional care to residents throughout their lives. Palliative care, especially during the end-of-life stage, plays a crucial role in ensuring comfort, dignity, and support for residents, their families, and your dedicated staff.

Today, we dive into this topic a little further and explore why it deserves our attention.

Creating a Supportive Environment:

In retirement villages, creating a supportive environment is essential for residents who require palliative care. Encourage the family to collaborate with healthcare professionals, including palliative care specialists, nurses, and counsellors, to create a comprehensive care plan for residents.

By fostering an atmosphere of compassion, collaboration, empathy, and understanding, you can help individuals and their families navigate the emotional and physical challenges that arise during this sensitive time.

Open Communication Channels:

Encouraging open and honest communication is crucial. Foster an environment where residents and their families feel comfortable discussing their concerns, fears, and desires. Regular meetings and one-on-one conversations can help establish trust and provide the necessary support.

Staff Support, Education and Training:

Invest in ongoing education and training for your staff, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills required to support residents and their families during this difficult time. Equip them with effective communication techniques, and emotional support skills.

As a Manager, you also need to be aware of how your staff might respond to palliative care occurring in your community, and provide them with access to the support they may need. An Employee Assistance Program can be quite useful when it comes to this.

Supporting Residents and Families:

Palliative care not only focuses on residents but also extends to their families, who play a vital role in the care journey.

Offer a listening ear, empathy, and access to counselling services to residents and their families. You do not need to be the counsellor, though it is recommended you be aware of support groups, bereavement services, and other resources that can help them cope with their emotions during this challenging period.

Palliative Care Week serves as a reminder that as Retirement Village Managers and Professionals there are options available to us to support residents, their families, and staff members during the end-of-life journey.

By taking the time to understand the options available to you, including fostering open communication, and providing comprehensive support, you can ensure that every resident receives the comfort, dignity, and compassion they deserve.

Just another way we can make a positive difference in the lives of those entrusted to our care.

For more information visit https://palliativecare.org.au/