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Community Health
Services
Palliative Care
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Author: Admin
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Publishing date: 10 January 2008 1:36pm
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What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care provides special care to those living with a progressive, life shortening illness. It aims to support these people to have the best quality of life they can by relieving the discomfort and addressing the various issues caused by such an illness. These issues may be physical, psychological, emotional, social and/or spiritual.
The majority of people we care for have cancers that can't be cured. Other people who have accessed our service have had illnesses that include: motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, and end stage heart, liver or kidney failure.
Usually our service is provided in the person's home, but is also possible in hospitals and aged care facilities.
How Does Palliative Care Work?
To begin to receive our palliative care service, a referral must be made. The person with the illness, a doctor, carer, family member, or other health professional can make a referral.
The Palliative Care Nurse will carry out the initial assessment, usually in the home and will coordinate the care and services. They will act as the primary contact and support for the person, family and carers.
For people out in the region, the Palliative Care Team will link and work closely with the Outreach Nurse and General Practitioner.
The Palliative Care Team can provide and Organise:
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Nursing care
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Personal Care (e.g. showering assistance)
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Equipment (e.g. shower chairs, sheep skins)
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Linen Service
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Home Help (mopping, vacuuming etc)
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Respite Care
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Liaison with Medical Practitioners and other
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Phone Consultation with Palliative Care Specialists about Symptom Control
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Information, Counselling and Bereavement Support
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24 Hour, 7 Day a Week Telephone Support
Palliative Care Volunteers
Our trained volunteers are a vaulable part of the Palliative Care Team. They can provide respite for carers, social interaction, friendship, and other support as needed.
Respect
We respect people's individual choice, cultural values, dignity and privacy. We provide relevant information and support to allow individuals to make their own decisions about the health care services they use. We respect the person's right to accept or decline any aspect of service we offer or already have in place.
Cost of Service
Most clients will pay a minimal monthly service fee for some services provided or organised by the Palliative Care Team. However, no one is excluded from receiving palliative care on financial grounds, and in some situations fees may be waived.
To Find out More...
Or to access our services, phone 8535 6800 and ask for a member of the Palliative Care Team.
Donations
Donations to the Palliative Care Team are gratefully accepted. These donations are used to purchase specific items that will help improve and make easier the life of our clients, families and carers, and to support the educational needs of our volunteers.
Donations can be sent to:
Murray Mallee Community Health Service, Swanport Road, PO Box 346, MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253.
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