A palliative care unit is a specialised palliative care facility. It is sometimes called a hospice, and may be a standalone facility or rooms within a hospital.
Learn more about:
- What do palliative care facilities offer?
- When to contact a palliative care facility
- Key points about a palliative care unit
What do palliative care facilities offer?
Focus on comfort and quality of life
The focus at a palliative care unit is on caring for people with a lifelimiting illness and maintaining quality of life. They are run by health professionals who specialise in providing physical and emotional comfort to the patient, and supporting family before and after death.
A calmer, supportive environment
Palliative care units and hospices are different from most hospital wards. They are usually quieter and calmer, and may have a more homely environment. Many people value the relaxed surroundings, as well as the skilled staff and expert symptom management. Sometimes you can go back and forth between a palliative care unit and another setting during your final weeks. Many facilities now have a maximum length of stay, so you may want to check this with them ahead of time.
You may choose this option if you have complex needs or can’t be cared for at home. Your family and friends can still be involved and visit you to provide care. They may want to help with meal times or bathing or just be there for company and support.
When to contact a palliative care facility
Some people are unsure of when to contact a palliative care unit. They may wait to call until the final days, possibly missing out on the support that the palliative care unit has to offer.
Some facilities have waiting lists, and often base their intake on people who have the highest level of care needs, so talk to your doctor or palliative care team early about how you can make arrangements and when it would be an appropriate time to make the first contact.
Key points about a palliative care unit
- Palliative care units offer a welcoming and comfortable physical environment.
- Health professionals can provide 24-hour care, including expert pain and symptom control.
- The focus is on quality, not length, of life.
- Time spent with family and friends can be focused on connection rather than on any care needs.
- It may give direct access to a team of professionals and volunteers trained to meet the needs of the dying person and their carers.
- Carers can come and go so they can get some rest.
- Some families prefer not to live in a house where someone has died, although others find this comfort.
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More resources
Prof Jane Phillips, Head, School of Nursing and Professor, Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology and Emerita Professor Palliative Nursing, University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Prof Meera Agar, Palliative Care Physician, Professor of Palliative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, IMPACCT, Sydney, NSW; Sandra Anderson, Consumer; A/Prof Megan Best, The University of Notre Dame Australia and The University of Sydney, NSW; Prof Lauren Breen, Psychologist and Discipline Lead, Psychology, Curtin University, WA; David Dawes, Manager, Spiritual Care Department, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Rob Ferguson, Consumer; Gabrielle Gawne-Kelnar, Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Social Worker, One Life Counselling & Psychotherapy, NSW; Justine Hatton, Senior Social Worker, Southern Adelaide Palliative Services, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Caitlin MacDonagh, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Palliative Care, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW; McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer; Palliative Care Australia; Belinda Reinhold, Acting Lead Palliative Care, Cancer Council QLD; Xanthe Sansome, National Program Director, Advance Care Planning Australia; Kirsty Trebilcock, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA.
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