Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

palliAGED

palliAGED is a national online resource that supports people providing palliative care to older Australians. It offers trustworthy, practical guidance developed in collaboration with the aged care sector. Updated in April 2025, palliAGED continues to support quality care as new aged care reforms are introduced.

Vision and mission

To provide evidence-based information to the aged care workforce, and older Australians seeking information about palliative care.

How palliAGED can help

palliAGED focuses on supporting the health and aged care workforce.

Information on palliative care and the services and resources that can help older people and their families is available on the project’s sister website, CareSearch. Visit the CareSearch sections:

Information / help line

Programs, apps and tools

Recommended links

Last reviewed: April 2025

Information from this partner

Found 208 results

Reducing Care Burden

Reducing care burden in aged care involves deprescribing unnecessary treatments, aligning care with goals, improving comfort, and minimising harm through person-centred planning.

Read more on palliAGED website

The Care Environment

Supportive care environments that incorporate features such as privacy, light, quiet spaces, and cultural inclusion, enhance dignity, comfort, and connection during end-of-life care.

Read more on palliAGED website

Grief and Loss among Staff

What it is: Grief is a response to a loss and it can affect all parts of a person’s life. Bereavement is the period of grieving experienced by family and friends in response to the death of someone close to them.

Read more on palliAGED website

Aged Care Access and Assessment

What it is: The aged care system provides support for older Australians living in their own home or residential aged care. Access to government-funded aged care requires an assessment of the person’s needs.

Read more on palliAGED website

Advanced Dementia

Care for advanced dementia focuses on comfort and dignity. It involves managing symptoms like pain, distress, and difficulty swallowing, while supporting families through compassionate care.

Read more on palliAGED website

Distress at the End of Life

What it is: Distress at the end of life, also known as existential distress, death distress, or death anxiety, refers to the emotional suffering of dying which includes thoughts about: • death • the meaning of life • loneliness • loss of dignity • loss of control • achieving life’s goals.

Read more on palliAGED website

Advanced Dementia - Behavioural Changes

What it is: People with advanced dementia may show behaviour that is very different to how they usually are. If this is related to their dementia, then it is known as behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Read more on palliAGED website

Oral Care

What it is: Oral health covers the ability to eat, speak and socialise without discomfort or active disease in the teeth, mouth or gums.

Read more on palliAGED website

Planning for the Future

Planning for the Future

Read more on palliAGED website

Constipation

Constipation

Read more on palliAGED website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.