Palliative care supports the needs of people living with a life-limiting illness in a holistic and patient-centred way. It aims to maintain your quality of life and make the time you have as meaningful as it can be. The focus is on what is important to you and your family.
 | Person-centred careThis means the palliative care team will work with you to assess what you need. They can then make suggestions about treatment and ongoing care. Your care goals may change over time. |
 | Where care is providedThe palliative care team will work with you and your carers to help plan the best place for your care. At different times you may be at home supported by community palliative care services, in hospital, at a residential age care facility or in a palliative care unit (hospice). |
 | When to startPalliative care is useful at all stages of advanced cancer and can be given alongside active treatment for cancer. Contacting a palliative care team after a diagnosis of advanced cancer can help you work out when is best to start palliative treatment and how to manage symptoms. |
 | Who provides careYour palliative care team is made up of people with different skills to help you with a range of issues. Your care may be led by a GP, nurse practitioner or community nurse, or by a specialist palliative care team if your needs are complex. Some people may only see their GP. |
 | Support servicesThe palliative care team will help you work out how to live in the most fulfilling way you can – this might mean enjoying time with family and friends, recording your memories or reflecting on your life. They can also refer you to organisations and services that can assist with financial, emotional and practical needs. |
 | Family and carersIf you agree (consent), the palliative care team will involve your family and carers in decisions about care. They can also provide them with emotional support and referrals to counselling, grief support, respite, and financial assistance. |
 | Symptom reliefPalliative treatment can help you manage symptoms related to the cancer or its treatment, such as pain, nausea, loss of appetite, breathlessness or fatigue. |
 | Advance care planningThe palliative care team or a social worker can support you to think about, discuss and record your values, goals and preferences for future care and treatment. |
 | IndependenceAn occupational therapist or physiotherapist can assess you to improve your independence, and suggest equipment or ways to help with daily activities and make it easier for your carers to look after you. |
Video: What is Palliative Care?
Watch this video to see how palliative treatment aims to manage symptoms and improve people’s quality of life without trying to cure the disease.
→ READ MORE: Common questions about palliative care
More resources
Prof Meera Agar, Palliative Care Physician, Professor of Palliative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, IMPACCT, Sydney, NSW; Anne Booms, Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care, Icon Cancer Centre Midlands, WA; Nicola Champion, Consumer; John Clements, Consumer; Dr Alexandra Clinch, Palliative Medicine Specialist and Deputy Director, Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; A/Prof Jaklin Eliott, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, SA; Dr Jemma Gilchrist, Clinical Psychologist, Mind My Health, NSW; McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, VIC; Caitlin MacDonagh, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Palliative Care, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW; Dr Roya Merie, Radiation Oncologist, Icon Cancer Centre, Concord, NSW; Dr Deidre Morgan, Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Flinders University, SA; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Palliative Care Australia.
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