Specialist Palliative Care in Aged Care (SPACE) Project

Aim

• enhance equitable access to specialist palliative care for older Queenslanders residing in residential aged care facilities
• increase the capacity and capability of general practice and aged care staff to deliver care at the end of life

Outcomes

• Improved access to specialist palliative care for residents with complex end-of-life needs
• Improved capacity and capability of GP and aged care staff to support the needs of residents requiring specialist palliative care
• Increased opportunities for people to die in their place of choice, supported by improved capacity in aged care, care coordination and clinical governance
• Stronger partnerships between government and non-government organisations providing or supporting specialist palliative care in residential aged care facilities
• Streamlined care for residents who require treatment in acute hospital facilities, including admission and discharge processes

Background

The proportion of older Australians dying in residential aged care facilities is increasing. While most end-of-life care in aged care is provided by generalist healthcare workers, specialist palliative care teams support people with life-limiting illnesses with complex care needs by providing direct care and supporting other healthcare workers to deliver care.

Research has found the benefits of specialist palliative involvement in residential aged care facilities leads to benefits including improved symptom management, increased advance care planning, reduced hospital admissions, and an increased number of in-facility deaths.

Discussion

The SPACE Evaluation Report: Baseline, can be viewed under Resources below.

Lessons learnt

No lessons in this early stage - this project is in the development phase.

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2018). Cause of death patterns and people’s use of aged care: a Pathways in Aged Care analysis of 2012–14 death statistics.

KPMG. (2020). Investing to Save –The economics of increased investment in palliative care in Australia.

Cimino, N.M., & McPherson, M.L. Evaluating the impact of palliative or hospice care provided in nursing homes. Journal of gerontological nursing, 40(10), 10-4.

Chapman, M., Johnston, N., Lovell, C., Forbat, L., & Liu, W.M. Avoiding costly hospitalisation at end of life: findings from a specialist palliative care pilot in residential care for older adults. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 8, 102-109.

Australian Government Department of Health. (2019). Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care Measure.

Further Reading

Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care measure

Specialist palliative care in aged care

Resources

Public resources

SPACE Evaluation report: baseline [PDF 589.13 KB]