What is palliative care?

Palliative care is specialised, person-centred medical care for people with a serious, life-limiting condition. 

This particular type of care focuses on the person’s needs, not on their prognosis. 

Learn more about palliative care in our ‘Palliative Care’ blog.

What are the stages of palliative care?

Though each experience is different, all palliative care follows through 5 stages. Supporting the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients, family and carers, each stage provides relief from both the symptoms and stress of the situation at hand.

Stage 1: Stable

This first phase of care is all about making plans. While you or your loved one is in a stable condition, you’ll identify the current symptoms and health problems - and build a plan that treats them.

Teamwork and collaboration are essential components of this phase.

Your team will organise the necessary support or medical interventions to control current symptoms and enhance quality of life.  

Some of your palliative care team may include:

• Registered nurses or other healthcare workers

• Social workers 

• Dietitians

• Bereavement counsellors

• Therapists

Stage 2: Unstable

As the illness progresses - either with symptoms worsening or new medical problems arising - you’ll progress into the ‘unstable’ phase. 

Usually, these new or unexpected symptoms were not anticipated during stage one - and they may require your team to make immediate changes to your care plan.

This second stage is also when the team will orchestrate emotional, spiritual and mental health care support. More often than not, this happens through: 

• Counselling services (for anxiety and depression), 

• Religious meetings and gatherings,

• And recreational/leisure activities.

Stage 3: Deteriorating

In this third stage, symptoms begin to worsen and overall health starts to decline. It’s also around this time that more severe/complex medical issues can occur, meaning more readjustments to your care plan.  

Emotional and mental health support is vital in this stage. It can be a distressing time for the patient and their loved ones, especially as their physical state continues to deteriorate. So, it’s essential for extra support to be arranged.

Stage 4: Terminal

When the end of life appears imminent (within a few days), you’ll enter the fourth stage. Throughout this stage, medical and general physical care can still be provided in-home (read more about at-home palliative care here). 

But, it is possible to move to a hospital setting if extra medical care is necessary. Symptoms that may indicate the arrival of the ‘terminal’ stage include:

• Difficulty swallowing medications

• A decrease (or loss) of appetite for food and drink

• Becoming bedridden 

• More severe mobility problems

• A prognosis that requires daily medical interventions

Alongside the physical and medical care, your team will focus on psychological, emotional, and spiritual comfort. This is also the time where your care plan make arrangements for end-of-life medications and services.

Stage 5: Bereavement

Sadly, this is the stage in which the patient has passed. As it is a naturally emotional time for loved ones, this phase focuses specifically on supporting the bereaved. 

Some of services that loved ones can access in this stage include:

• Mental health care, from psychologists or counsellors that can help with feelings of grief and loss after a loved one’s death.

• Spiritual support from your chosen religious or spiritual leader.

• Emotional support, where the team will connect you with ongoing support groups

How can Focus Care help?

If you’re making a plan for palliative care, you are providing your loved ones with the best possible support through a challenging time.

At Focus Care, our wide range of services include dedicated in-home care. All our nurses at Focus Care are AHPRA registered and adhere to strict standards and policies to provide the utmost care.

If you don’t have a Home Care Package or NDIS Plan, we also offer all our services privately.

Our private services include an initial, no-obligation consultation, where we get to know you and your individual care needs. This will allow you to make an informed decision about the best fit for yourself and your loved ones.

When you are ready, we are here.